SOD Rumsfeld in Iraq, 5/13/04:
"Gen. Myers and I are proud to be here with the First Team."
"We wanted a chance to look you folks in the eye and tell you how proud you are and tell you what a wonderful job you are doing."
(sends gratitude from the CinC)
"You folks have helped to liberate 25 million human beings..."
"I know you have security responsibilities....you're showing the Iraqi people and the people of the world the character of the country that we're from, and the character of the men and women of the armed services."
(re prison abuses) "Like each of you - I was stunned - it was a body-blow...and with 6 or 7 investigations under way - in a country that has values - and a military with values - we know that those, whoever they are, will be brought to justice."
"It is important for each of you to know that that is not the value of America....and we're proud of you, each of you."
"Each of you is here because you volunteered to serve your country."
"Men and women who served in America - they understand America, and our values."
"The people of the wolrd understand that also."
"The fact is, people line up every year to come to America."
"United States is the last, best hope of humankind."
"I've stopped reading the newspapers." (loud applause and cheers from troops).
"It's a fact."
"I'm a survivor."
(Reading a book on Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War) "Several battles where 1000, 2000, 3000 were lost in days....debate was vigorous, I would say vicious - editorials written critical of everything - no e-mails or telephones, but there were Soldiers' diaries and letters - and there were honest questions by politicians, editoiral writers...can we win? Is it worth it? Those are big questions."
"You could see the back and forth and heartfelt concern - and the unbelieveable criticism of Abraham Lincoln - and generals on both sides - but they were steadfast."
"...and those generals that looked back - and saw a nation - a single nation - they knew they had been part of something really big, and it had been worth it."
"You folks are young...I'm not...and you're going to look back on this conflict...and it is going to be a rough road ahead....we know that...(freedom) is not an easy path...that's a tough path, and plenty of mistakes will be made, and people will have to be picked up, and put back on that path...but one day you're going to look back, and you're going to be proud of your service, and you're going to say it was worth it."
"Dick Myers' service is a model for our country - and he is a wonderful partner."
(Cheers, whistles)
Gen. Richard Myers:
"We are happy to be here. I mean..we are really, really happy to be here." (cheers)
"You have never let us down - never, ever."
"I have so much confidence in you."
"I am confident because you are well-trained, well-led, well-equipped...you understand the importance of what we do ..."
"I am really confident in your leadership..."
"I hope you heard me say - on numerous occasion - my confidence in the chain of command...Gen. Abizaid, Sanchez...down to the squad leaders - leadership that makes a difference (every day)..."
"The President came to the Pentagon this week - As you look up at our chain of command, you couldn't have better leadership in providing us the direction - the resources - and I'm talking about our Secretary of Defense, and our Commander in Chief."
(loud applause, cheers!)
"I'm confident about our justice system in the military - those who stray, there will be due process..."
"You ARE the greatest generation." (millions of Americans...and Iraqis understand that)
"I couldn't be prouder to represent you."
"There is no doubt that we are going to be victorious. No doubt whatsoever."
"The essential goodness...is reflected in you and what you do day in and day out."
"I couldn't be prouder."
"We thank you for your service, and we thank your families for their service."
(standing O, loud cheers!)
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Questions:
Rummy:
"It's generally a lot more fun here than it is back home."
"We can take anything you can dish out. When I say "we", I mean Dick Myers."
SOD Rumsfeld: "The abuses of a few are not going to change how we manage this force....active, reserves - we need all of you to make this thing work for our country."
"We'll do our best and that's our responsibility." (Gen. Myers on getting armor and best equip to troops - making and getting uparmored HUMVEES there as fast as possible)
"You get a ticket to wherever you wind up - and all the way back." (Gen. Myers, re. Congress paying for travel expenses for the troops).
SOD Rumsfeld, "If it proves that Dick Myers is wrong, he'll step up and pay for your ticket."
("Yes, I will, but only his." - laughs)
Questions continue. Transcript should be available at DoD, later this afternoon.
Gen. Sanchez IS looking into getting civilians who are in harm's way 'permission' to arm themselves.
Soldier, 1st CAV, says he's never seen the Iraqi people happier.