Posted on 01/06/2009 7:13:22 PM PST by Kaslin
The President was honored with a Military Appreciation Parade at Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia Transcript First Lady Laura received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, The President discussed Conservation and the Environment in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building Transcript Vice President Dick Cheney administered the Senate Oath to reelected senators
Quotes of the day
"Mr. President, thank you and your family for your service. I am proud to serve under you, sir. You are awesome, and made a difference in the world." Staff Sergeant Ward, Queens, New York.
"Sir, nice to see that our President is still quick on his feet after eight years in office." (Laughter.) "Next time, pick up the shoe and throw it back." (Laughter and applause.) "We got your back." Master Sergeant Michael Frazier, United States Air Force.
"Sir, you truly set the standard to uphold the peace and our very way of life so our kids can grow up in a peaceful world. We will always stand tall, one great nation and one great state -- Texas." (Hoo-ah.) Sergeant First Class Claude Corey, Waco, Texas.
"Mrs. Bush, your class and dignity were an inspiration to us all." Lieutenant Colonel Scott Rainey, United States Army, Baghdad.
"Sir, thank you for your service, example and leadership. We have not faltered, we will not fail. With greatest respect and honor, we serve." Signed simply, Your Soldiers.
THE PRESIDENT
Over the past eight years, I have seen the valor of the American ilitary time and time again. I saw your valor on September the 11th,2001, in service members rushing into smoke-filled corridors to save their colleagues at the Pentagon -- and in planes patrolling the skies above New York City and Washington. I saw your valor in the days after the attack, when Americans crowded into recruiting centers across our country, raised their hands to serve, and pledged to defend our people and our freedom.
I saw your valor in the forces who deployed to Afghanistan. Within weeks of September the 11th, you closed down the terrorist training camps, and you drove the Taliban from power. I saw your valor in the fearless troops who stormed across the Iraqi desert -- and destroyed a regime that threatened America. I saw your valor in battle-tested warriors who signed up for a second, or third, or fourth tour -- and made the surge in Iraq one of the great successes in America's military history.
The valor of America's Armed Forces have made our nation safer. Because you've taken the fight to the terrorists abroad, we have not had to face them here at home. And the world has seen something that almost no one thought possible: More than seven years after September the 11th, there has not been another attack on American soil.
The decisions I made as your Commander-in-Chief have not always been popular. But the cause you have served has always been just and right. The missions you have carried out have always been necessary. And the work you have done has every bit -- has been every bit as courageous and idealistic as that of any generation that came before you.
In the years since the war on terror began, America's Armed Forces have led the largest military liberation since World War II. Because of your actions, more than 50 million Afghans and Iraqis have seen the chains of despotism broken -- and are living in the liberty that the Creator intended. The new wave of freedom in the Middle East has made America more secure at home -- because it is undermining the culture of tyranny that fosters radicalism.
There will become a day when your grandchildren will ask, what did you do during your time in uniform? And you'll be able to say: We made the military stronger. We made the world freer. And we made America more secure.
You'll be able to tell them the story of the first decade in the 21st century -- their early days of a generational struggle against terror and extremism. It is a story of a global coalition led by the United States that is dedicated to eliminating the forces of oppression and fear. It is the story of the Iraqi people proudly holding up ink-stained fingers to show that the threat of violence could not break their commitment to liberty. It is the story of young girls going to school in Afghanistan after years when educating a woman could be punished with beatings or imprisonment. It is the story about the character in men and women who volunteered to leave the comforts of home to defend freedom and keep our nation safe.
On behalf of the American people, I thank you for making that sacrifice. I know you have not shouldered the burdens of military life alone. You've had the support of strong and loving families to sustain you. And this morning, I want all of you and your families to hear your Commander-in-Chief loud and clear: We appreciate you, we love you, and we honor your service. (Applause.)
We also honor our wounded warriors -- and those who never returned home from the field of battle. In their sacrifices, we see one of the extraordinary legacies of our Armed Forces -- the willingness to give everything to secure safety at home and liberty abroad.
As the Admiral pointed out, we saw that selfless spirit in people like Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who served in Iraq. In the fall of 2006, on a rooftop in Iraq, Mike threw himself onto a grenade in order to save the lives of his teammates. As Admiral Mullen mentioned, I had the honor of presenting Michael Monsoor's parents his posthumous Medal of Honor in the White House. On that day, I saw the deep sadness that is familiar to anyone who has lost a loved one in the line of duty. But I also saw the pride that comes with such noble sacrifice -- and the recognition that our freedom and our security only endure because of the acts of bravery like Michael Monsoor's.
That kind of courage, character, and devotion defines our Armed Forces. So this morning, I cannot accept your kind tribute unless I'm allowed to return the favor. To the men and women of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and all those who serve in the Department of Defense: You have the respect of a grateful nation that you have kept safe. You have the admiration of millions around the world who would have never tasted freedom without you. You have the undying love and respect of a man who has been proud to call himself your Commander-in-Chief.
Two weeks from today, Laura and I will take our final trip back to Texas -- or, as you Texans understand, back to the promised land. We have the honor of doing it onboard a 747 piloted by the United States Air Force -- Colonel Mark Tillman will be the lead pilot. This brings a fitting symmetry: The military brought me to Washington eight years ago – and on January the 20th, the military is taking me home.
We will take with us many fond memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We will always remember that you answered the call to serve when your nation needed you most. We will always remember that you did your duty with honor and dignity. And we will always remember the debt of gratitude that each of us who lives in freedom owes to each of you who has protected it.
May God bless you. And may God always bless the United States. (Applause.)
Photos of the Day
President George W. Bush inspects the troops at the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute at Conmy Hall on Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended the event.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates awards the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service to President George W. Bush at the Armed Forces Full Honor Farewell to President on Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009.
Mrs. Laura Bush stands with a bouquet presented along with the Department of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a military appreciation Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, in honor of President George W. Bush's tenure as Commander-in-Chief. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Please continue to pray for Snugs and her dad
President George W. Bush, is applauded by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, as he is honored by the military during a farewell ceremony at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. Gates presented the president with the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal.
President George W. Bush watches as troops march by as he attends a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
President George W. Bush receives a farewell ceremony from the military at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
President George W. Bush reviews the troops as he attends a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 200
President George W. Bush reviews the troops as he attends a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
U.S. President George W. Bush looks out upon troops as he is given an armed forces farewell tribute at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia, January 6, 2009. Flanking Bush are Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen (L) and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
U.S. President George W. Bush looks out upon troops as he is given an armed forces farewell tribute at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia, January 6, 2009. Flanking Bush are Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen (L) and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
President George W. Bush, flanked by Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, left, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, attends a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer, in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
U.S. President George W. Bush looks down as he is given an armed forces farewell tribute at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia, January 6, 2009.
U.S. President George W. Bush looks up as he is given an armed forces farewell tribute at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia, January 6, 2009.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates applauds U.S. President George W. Bush during an armed forces farewell tribute at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia January 6, 2009.
President George W. Bush is honored by the military in a farewell ceremony at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. He is joined by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, and Joint Chief Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, left
Lovely photo of Mrs. Laura. I was lucky to catch her on ‘White House Week’ on C-SPAN. She was doing a tour of the White House and the things that she found memorable. VERY interesting. Nothing you would see in the MSM, for sure. Loved the bit about the Lincoln Bedroom and the portraits of the First Ladies. Her story of ‘Ladybird’ Johnson were poignant. Mrs. Bush is a very gracious, kind, and graceful First Lady. She’ll be greatly missed, but not forgotten. CLASS ACT, indeed.
I got tickled at her story about belonging to a ‘garden club’.....as I belong to the one in my area. Endearing stuff.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates presents President George W. Bush with the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal during a military farewell ceremony at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen is at right
U.S. President George W. Bush smiles after receiving the Department of Defense Medal of Distinguished Public Service from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) during a farewell tribute at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia, January 6, 2009. At right is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates presents President George W. Bush with Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal during a military farewell ceremony at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen is at right.
I got to see this today. I was so happy to hear how much the military loves and appreciates President Bush, UNLIKE the RNC, which has done ZERO to support him over the last two years and is busily crafting an attack on his economic policies as he leaves office. Ingrates all. I withdrew my membership today.
President George W. Bush watches as troops march by as he attends a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
President George W. Bush speaks at a military farewell ceremony at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
President George W. Bush speaks to the troops as he attends a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
President George W. Bush inspects the troops at the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute at Conmy Hall on Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended the event.
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard stands at parade rest during the Armed Forces Full Honor Farewell to President George W. Bush on Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009.
Left to right, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, first lady Laura Bush, President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates render honors at the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute Ceremony at Conmy Hall, Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates awards the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service to President George W. Bush at the Armed Forces Full Honor Farewell to President on Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009.
Left to right, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, first lady Laura Bush, President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates render honors at the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute Ceremony at Conmy Hall, Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009.
The military (and I) will gravely miss President Bush....
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about conservation and the environment in Washington January 6, 2009.
President George W. Bush looks up at Benigno R. Fitial, governor of the U.S. Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands, after signing documents to establish the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex in Washington.
President George W. Bush smiles after using his executive authority to protect several unique tropical marine ecosystems in the South Pacific, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex in Washington. The largest of the protected areas surrounds the Northern Mariana Islands and includes the Mariana Trench, the deepest canyon on earth and is believed to harbor some of the oldest known life on the DNA tree. At right of Bush is Benigno R. Fitial, governor of the U.S. Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. President George W. Bush receives a hug after signing documents in Washington designating the creation of three separate marine national monuments in the central Pacific Ocean January 6, 2009
President George W. Bush salutes Col. Joseph Buche, Commander of Troops at Ft. Myer, Va., after reviewing the troops Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, during a military appreciation in the President's honor as Commander-in-Chief. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush reviews the troops at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, during a military appreciation in his honor. With him is Col. Joseph Buche, Commander of Troops. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush glances at Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as they stand with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a military tribute Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Va. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush participate in a military appreciation Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at Ft. Myer, Va., in honor of the President's tenure as Commander-in-Chief. The First Couple was honored for their outstanding public service by the Department of Defense. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Mrs. Laura Bush stands with a bouquet presented along with the Department of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a military appreciation Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, in honor of President George W. Bush's tenure as Commander-in-Chief. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush delivers remarks on Conservation and the Environment Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. Said the President, "We have pioneered a new model of cooperative conservation in which government and private citizens and environmental advocates work together to achieve common goals. And while there's a lot more work to be done, we have done our part to leave behind a cleaner and healthier and better world for those who follow us on this Earth." White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush speaks to leaders of the 111th Congress Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, from the Oval Office of the White House during the traditional phone call to announce the start of the session. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, flanked by Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, left, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, attend a military appreciation parade at Fort Myer, in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
First lady Laura Bush receives the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, as Vice President Dick Cheney applauds at left during a military appreciation parade for President Bush, at Fort Myer, in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates awards the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service to first lady Laura Bush at the Armed Forces Full Honor Farewell to President on Fort Myer, Va., Jan. 6, 2009.
Commander in Chief George W. Bush discusses his 8 years in office in an exclusive one-on-one interview with The Pentagon Channel's MSgt Rusty Barfield.
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.