Posted on 07/20/2007 7:59:39 PM PDT by kristinn
Freeper armymarinemom met President Bush at the White House today with a group of ten Global War on Terror veterans and military family members representing pro-victory organizations.
The group spent an hour with the President in the Oval Office before he gave a speech in the Rose Garden this morning.
Video coverage of the speech is available at this White House link
Those invited to the White House represented Military Families Voice of Victory, Vets for Freedom, Troops Need You and Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission.
Blue Star mother armymarinemom is co-founder, with her husband, armymarinedad, of Military Families Voice of Victory. She was last in our nation's capital to speak at the Gathering of Eagles on March 17. Also in attendance at the White House today were two other speakers at the Gathering of Eagles rally, Gold Star mother Merrilee Carlson, Chairman of Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission and Eric Egland, founder of Troops Need You.
The others in attendance were: Gold Star father Ron Griffin, Gold Star parents Pat and Terri Ivory, with Families United and Pete Hegseth, executive director, retired Marine Capt. Knox Nunnally, retired Army Sgt. Mark Seavey, and retired Marine Lt. Wade Zirkle with Vets for Freedom.
Text of the President's remarks:
10:42 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thank you all for coming. I'm joined by veterans and military families who are here to express support for our troops and their mission in Iraq, and I want to thank you all for being here today.
We've just finished a really good meeting. In our discussions, these folks had a message that all of us in Washington need to hear: It is time to rise above partisanship, stand behind our troops in the field, and give them everything they need to succeed.
In February, I submitted to Congress a Defense Department spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year that will provide funds to upgrade our equipment for our troops in Iraq and provides a pay raise for our military -- it's a comprehensive spending request that Congress has failed to act on. Instead, the Democratic leaders chose to have a political debate on a precipitous withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. The House and Senate are now scheduled to leave for their August recess before passing a bill to support our troops and their missions. Even members of Congress who no longer support our effort in Iraq should at least be able to provide an increase in pay for our troops fighting there.
When Congress returns after Labor Day, there will be less than one month before the fiscal year ends and current funds for Defense Department operations run out. Congress still has an opportunity to do right by our men and women in uniform -- and our national security. So today I call on Congress to take action and get this vital piece of legislation to me to sign -- on budget and on time.
I also ask Congress to give our troops time to carry out our new strategy in Iraq. Like all wars, the fight in Iraq has had frustrating setbacks. It has also had important successes. We've seen dramatic turnarounds in places such as Anbar province, which was once thought lost to the enemy. Just this week, our military forces announced the capture of one of al Qaeda's top Iraqi leaders. He helped to form what al Qaeda calls the Islamic State in Iraq, in an attempt to replicate what the Taliban had created in Afghanistan. Today that leader is under arrest, and his followers are under siege.
These successes demonstrate the gains our troops are making in Iraq, and the importance of giving our military the time they need to give their new strategy a chance to work.
Earlier this year, the Senate seemed to share that view. They confirmed General David Petraeus as commander of our forces without a single dissenting vote. And now, barely a month after his strategy became fully operational, many of those same senators are saying that that strategy has failed.
Our nation deserves a serious debate about Iraq, because the outcome of this conflict will have enormous consequences for our country. Failure in Iraq would allow terrorists to operate from a safe haven with access to the world's third largest oil reserves. Failure in Iraq would increase the probability that at some later date, American troops would have to return to Iraq to confront an enemy more dangerous and more entrenched. Failure in Iraq would send an unmistakable signal to America's enemies that our country can be bullied into retreat.
America's involvement in Iraq does not have to end this way. A free and stable Iraq is still in reach. It has the potential to transform the Middle East and bring us closer to the day when radical regimes are replaced by peaceful allies, when terrorists have fewer places to train and operate, and when moms and dads in the Arab world see a future of hope for their children.
One of the folks with us today is an Air Force Reservist named Eric Egland. Here's what he said, he said, "We live in the world's oldest democracy and have been blessed with the strength to protect our freedoms and to help others who seek the same."
This has always been America's mission, and today that mission is being carried out by brave men and women who have stepped forward to keep our country secure. I thank them and I thank their families for the sacrifices they're making. And I thank you all for supporting them.
Thank you very much.
END 10:46 A.M. EDT
Armymarinemom, you rock. You guys are the real deal.
Allegra, take a look at this, and ping it to some of the in-country people you know. At least some guys are trying to get them a pay bump and the stuff they need, to get it done against the Ali Babas and Iranians.
how exciting, and the pictures are just wonderful!!
well I guess somebody should ping AMM’s son to this thread.
Thanks for the (((PING))) Sofadude
What a great day for all FReepers to be associated
with such a great gal and her family.
Where's the request? The magic word? You know better than that. ;-)
BTTT kiddo!
Well said.
Can never mind this kind of ping. We want the whole great day story, AMM!
Thanks so much for the ping, sofaman.
Proud, thankful, and heartfelt congratulations to these wonderful patriots! Daily prayers for all of our military folks.
Check with dinasour for a TS ping.
News from Lounge Lizard amm *PING*
5.56mm
Congrats, mom; how exciting for you!
This is WONDERFUL! Thanks for the ping sofa:)
Armymarinemom..how proud we are!!
From a grateful Army Mom...thank you
Screamin’Eagle Mom:)
God Bless!
Amen! And what a great report. I am honored to be a small part of this great community. Now, if we can just get that money thing (Freepathon) wound up this weekend.
Congratulations armymarinemom! Thanks to your whole family. What an honor to meet President Bush.
Thanks for the ping Fudd Fan.
Thank the Lord for you guys.
We have to get a residence/dorm funded there so we have a base of operations. Obviously we need a HQ with computers and wireless. If we want to stay a week to hit all the representatives offices, we can.
Often when we come down from NY it’s get there and head back. If folks can take a week, a lot can be done. All that hotel money can go to the residence and upkeep.
I’m sure you’ve been all over this already... what would be the issues?
I am glad that President Bush expressed our gatitude for your family’s commitment to protecting the United States of America. And thank you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.