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Pace spoke of the portrait and thanked Egeli “for treating me gently,” but also spoke of the portrait that “is the canvas of my heart.” He said it was an incredible privilege to serve. “I miss it. I miss being able to reach out and touch folks in uniform,” he said. “If I could find a way to serve the nation again, I would.”

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2009 – It’s a plain, unadorned painting -- just a general officer in service-dress alphas looking straight at you. But the portrait of retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace now hanging in the Pentagon captures the measure of the man. Retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, 16th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and artist Peter E. Egeli unveil a portrait of Pace during a Pentagon ceremony, Jan. 13, 2009. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The portrait hangs on the E-Ring in the...

For the first time since the "don't ask, don't tell" law was enacted in 1993 by President Clinton, the House Armed Services Committee has scheduled hearings to review it. The law disqualifies gays from serving in the military. Individuals are deemed gay, according to this ruling, if they publicly state so. However, the military is prohibited from asking. Thus, "don't ask, don't tell." Activists are now pushing for change to allow gays to serve openly. We can anticipate a technical discussion. Does the presence of openly gay soldiers undermine cohesiveness of units, morale, and discipline? How would retention rates of...

President Bush has awarded Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), General Peter Pace the US’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Not surprisingly, he is once again enduring a “moral lynching” at the hands of liberal media and homosexual activists across the nation.  Controversy began plaguing General Pace, a Catholic, after his March 12 statement that homosexual acts are immoral and therefore, should not be condoned by the military.[1]  Following this statement, General Pace was maligned and ultimately lost his position as JCS Chairman, making him the first in over forty years to hold...

The President presented medal of freedoms and then toured the flood ravaged areas in Iowa. This evening he and and the First Lady hosted a social dinner in honor of American jazz Secretary of State Condelezza Rice was at the UN today. . Pray for President Bush -- Day 2836

Two homosexual advocacy groups are criticizing the decision to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to retired General Peter Pace. He'll be honored on Thursday. "Honoring General Pace with the country's highest civilian award is outrageous, insensitive and disrespectful to the 65,000 lesbian and gay troops currently serving on active duty in the armed forces," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), in a news release on Wednesday. "Our men and women in uniform are making tremendous sacrifices for our country and are looking for the president to recognize leaders who offer them praise and...

President George W. Bush shakes hands with General Peter Pace after presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Thursday, June 19, 2008, during the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room at the White House. White House photo by David Bohrer One of my great privileges as the President has been to meet so many outstanding Americans who volunteer to serve our nation in uniform. I've been inspired by their valor, selflessness, and complete integrity. I found all those qualities in abundance in General Peter Pace. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pete Pace...

President George W. Bush today announced recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civil award...." "General Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), is one of our Nation's most accomplished and respected military officers. His selfless service and visionary leadership have helped keep our Nation safe."

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2008 – It was a Valentine’s Day lunch, and there was a lot of love in the air for wounded warriors at the Marine Barracks here yesterday. Retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace and his wife, Lynne, continued a tradition they started during his service as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Paces hosted picnics at their quarters for wounded warriors and their families, and hosted this at historic Crawford Hall – a beautifully restored section of the Marine Barracks founded in 1801. The Marine Band’s “Free Country Quartet” – down to a trio due to...

Class act - Updated with photos! October 16th, 2007 · 12 Comments Got this from several sources, and it’s a good follow-up to yesterday’s post on our outgoing Chairman: I wanted to share with you what we saw in Washington DC last week. After the mid-term brief we toured the Mall and made the usual stops at the WWII Memorial, the Wall, Lincoln Memorial, etc. At the Vietnam Wall we saw something unbelievable. We noticed three small index cards at the base of the Wall. I knelt down for a closer look and noticed that a 4-star general’s rank was...

"At the Vietnam Wall we saw something unbelievable. We noticed three small index cards at the base of the Wall. I knelt down for a closer look and noticed that a 4-star general's rank was pinned to each card. The cards were personally addressed and said something like: These are Yours - not mine! With Love and Respect, Your Platoon Leader, Pete Pace 1 Oct 2007 The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs had laid down his rank for his boys who died in Nam. Oct 1 was the day he stepped down as Chairman."

Homosexual Sex "Immoral" and Should not be Condoned in Law - Outgoing US Military Chief By Hilary White WASHINGTON, DC, October 3, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Homosexual acts are immoral and have no place in the US military says the United States' most senior military chief, General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In March Pace, a Catholic who is to retire this week, raised a storm of controversy when he told the Chicago Tribune in an interview, "I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts." The general said...

Virginia Republicans are buzzing over speculation that retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace may be lured into running for the U.S. Senate being vacated by John W. Warner (R).

Wouldn't it be nice to have as a choice for President in 2008 a seasoned military man who says what he believes? Don't you just have to love the candor and honesty of Gen. Peter Pace, the retiring chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? I can tell you he shook up Washington last week when he repeated his view that homosexual acts are immoral, are "counter to God's law" and should not be condoned in the U.S. military.

Today the President attended the farewell ceremony for outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice visited the Harriet Tubman Charter School in New York and the launch of the Partnership for Democratic Governance at U.N. headquarters. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, welcomes Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to the Pentagon. First Lady Laura Bush visited the "First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image" Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Jenna Bush attended a party to celebrate her new book, "Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope," Former President George H. W. Bush is...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2007 – Marine Gen. Peter Pace will leave behind a lasting legacy of professionalism and commitment to the troops when he retires Oct. 1, his senior enlisted advisor and self-described “battle buddy” told American Forces Press Service today. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, his senior enlisted advisor, shake hands with Marines from the 6th Provisional Security Company at Camp Lemonier, Dijbouti, during an Aug. 14, 2007, visit. Gainey said Pace has always kept troops’ welfare at heart while serving as the top U.S....

Gen. Pace, 2nd platoon reunited Sept. 5, 2007; Submitted on: 09/05/2007 11:10:19 AM ; Story ID#: 200795111019 By Cpl. Ryan Blaich, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) KARMAH, Iraq (Sept. 5, 2007) -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, made a unique visit to Marines stationed here, Sept. 4. As far as meetings with four-star generals usually go, this event was much less formal. It seemed more like a gathering of relatives, a way for Gen. Pace to connect the hardened war fighters of today to the heroes of his past. It was evident he saw himself,...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, caused a stir at a Senate hearing this week when he repeated his view that gay sex is immoral and should not be condoned by the military.

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, caused a stir at a Senate hearing this week when he repeated his view that gay sex is immoral and should not be condoned by the military. Pace, who retires next week, said he was seeking to clarify similar remarks he made in spring, which he said were misreported. "Are there wonderful Americans who happen to be homosexual serving in the military? Yes," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee during a hearing Wednesday focused on the Pentagon's 2008 war spending request. "We need to be very precise then, about what...

Today the President met with 2007 National Big Brother of the Year in the Oval Office The President also signed H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building The President also met with Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell, and Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters in the Oval Office. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura at the State Department Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also spoke at the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change at the State Department Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to...

Pace repeats view that gay sex immoral By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer 7 minutes ago Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, caused a stir at a Senate hearing Wednesday when he repeated his view that gay sex is immoral and should not be condoned by the military. Pace, who retires next week, said he was seeking to clarify similar remarks he made in spring, which he said were misreported. "Are there wonderful Americans who happen to be homosexual serving in the military? Yes," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee during a hearing focused on the...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, caused a stir at a Senate hearing Wednesday when he said he believes homosexual activity is immoral and should not be condoned by the military. Pace, who retires next week, said he was seeking to clarify similar remarks he made in spring, which he said were misreported. "Are there wonderful Americans who happen to be homosexual serving in the military? Yes," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee during a hearing focused on the Pentagon's 2008 war spending request. "We need to be very precise then, about what...

MINEOLA, N.Y., Sept. 19, 2007 – The reason the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Chaminade High School here was on the wall as he entered the building today: a simple plaque with the names of graduates killed in combat. Rev. James C. Williams and Marine Gen. Peter Pace look at photos of graduates of Chaminade High School who have been killed in combat. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the Mineola, N.Y., school Sept. 19, 2007, and met with Gold Star families. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF  (Click photo for screen-resolution...

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va., Sept. 17, 2007 – There is evil in the world, and the United States military stands ready to take on that evil, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Families United for a Strong America here today. Many members of the group lost family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. They invited Marine Gen. Peter Pace to help them place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns here and then to address their rededication ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater. “Gatherings like this are the most meaningful and the most difficult,” Pace told the...

Top General Acknowledges Iraq Mistakes Friday, September 14, 2007 WASHINGTON - The U.S. military's top general acknowledged Friday that he made mistakes in his early Iraq war strategy but said he still has no doubt that invading the country was the right decision. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, retiring chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and one of the war's military architects, said he overestimated the ability of the Iraqi army to hold together after the invasion, and as a result underestimated the number of U.S. troops that would eventually be needed to fight the war. Offering a blunt assessment...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2007 – The nation’s top military advisers were “unanimous” in backing the recommendations made to the president by Army Gen. David H. Petraeus on the way forward in Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, answers a reporter's question while Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates looks on during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Sept. 14, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Marine Gen. Peter Pace and Defense Secretary...

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 6, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Marine veterans here last night that he believes Iraq’s leaders know what it will take for their government to succeed. “It was clear to me that those leaders fully grasped the need for reconciliation,” Marine Gen. Peter Pace told 4th Marine Division Association members here for their 60th reunion. Pace shared with the World War II veterans his impressions of President Bush’s Sept. 3 meeting at Iraq’s Al Asad Air Base with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, Vice President Tariq al...

SHARANA, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2007 – Sgt. 1st Class Rocky Herrera, Sgt. Cory Clark and Sgt. Bryce Howard are men to whom every American owes a debt that can’t be repaid, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, left, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks about his experience of combat and the profound effect it had on his life and military career to servicmembers of Task Force Rugged on a forward operating base in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan, Sept. 2, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air...

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he is very optimistic about the future of Afghanistan, and the young Americans who are serving there, along with those who served before them, have much to be proud of. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, left, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with servicmembers on a forward operating base in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan, Sept. 2, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Marine Gen. Peter Pace came to...

It seems that the Huffington Post has more than its share of raving moonbats. On the heels of Lawrence O'Donnel ranting about how torturing dogs is no worse than fishing, we have HuffPo blogger, Martin Lewis, engaged in a "Seven Days In May" fantasy involving a military coup against President Bush. Lewis calls himself a humorist but perhaps his greatest feat of humor, although unintentional, is the rationale for a military coup he gives in General Pace, You Can Save the US - by Arresting Bush for "Conduct Unbecoming." General Peter PaceChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff400 Joint Staff Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20318-0400...

For Real...Blog Reaction Roundup!Quote: To be crystal clear - I am NOT advocating or inciting you to undertake any illegal act, insurrection, mutiny, putsch or military coup. You are an honorable patriotic man. I am NOT advocating or inciting you to interfere with any of the civilian duties of the President. That would not be a legal action by you. However you have the legal responsibility - under Article 134 of the Uniform Code Of Military Justice - to protect the troops under your command by relieving the President of his MILITARY command. If you have reason to believe that...

The Huffington Post published a plea to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs today to arrest George Bush for "conduct unbecoming" -- essentially, a military coup against the elected government of the United States. Martin Lewis claims that the military can arrest a President while not conducting a coup d'etat by focusing only on his role as Commander in Chief of the military: General Pace - you have the power to fulfill your responsibility to protect the troops under your command. Indeed you have an obligation to do so. You can relieve the President of his command. Not of his...

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace is labeling as "purely speculative" a report in the Los Angeles Times Friday that he is expected to recommend to President Bush that U.S. troop levels in Iraq next year should be cut by nearly half. However, Pace's reaction to the story did not deny that a significant troop reduction is an option being considered by the Joint Chiefs as they develop a strategic assessment on the way forward in Iraq. Citing unnamed administration and military officials, the Los Angeles Times article said Pace is concerned that keeping a military force significantly larger than...

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to advise President Bush to reduce the U.S. force in Iraq next year by almost half, potentially creating a rift with top White House officials and other military commanders over the course of the war. Administration and military officials say Marine Gen. Peter Pace is likely to convey concerns by the Joint Chiefs that keeping well in excess of 100,000 troops in Iraq through 2008 will severely strain the military. This assessment could collide with one being prepared by the U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, calling...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - "The chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to urge President George W. Bush to cut U.S. troop levels in Iraq next year, the Los Angeles Times said on Friday, citing military and administration officials." "Marine Gen. Peter Pace, whose term as chairman expires at the end of September, is expected to contend that keeping significantly more than 100,000 troops in Iraq through next year would severely strain the military and compromise its ability to respond to other threats, the newspaper said."

Hillary Clinton admitted she criticized the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for his controversial statements about homosexuality only after coming under fire herself from a gay lobby group in a forum for gay rights Thursday evening. Clinton said she made a mistake by hesitating to oppose his comments.

Pace Issues Upbeat Report as He Departs WASHINGTON — As Senate Democrats debated through the night the merits of leaving Iraq, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the security atmosphere in Iraq has undergone a "sea change." General Peter Pace brought along a reporter for the Associated Press, Robert Burns, on an unscheduled tour of Ramadi yesterday while his helicopter was grounded in a sandstorm and said he was optimistic that the troop surge that began in February and was completed in June was improving security for Iraqis. After meeting with the mayor of Ramadi and...

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2007 – Following an incident in Baghdad today where Iraqi police engaged U.S. troops in a firefight, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Marine Gen. Peter Pace vowed U.S. forces will “track down” the attackers. “We are going to go after these networks that are killing our soldiers and Marines regardless of where that network leads,” Pace told reporters at the Pentagon. “Sometimes it leads to Iranians, sometimes it leads to Iraqis, sometimes it leads to al Qaeda. Wherever the network takes us, we are going to track them down and deal with them.” Pace spoke about the...

Mike Mullen's Surprise Promotion By Tom Bowman CNO will carry a reputation as a pragmatist and problem-solver to the JCS Chairman’s office. When American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, Admiral Mike Mullen was talking budgets with then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark. Suddenly he felt something that reminded him of an earthquake in his native California. His office down the hall was closer to the impact. It quickly filled with smoke. His staff said the plane, slicing into the Pentagon some four floors below, appeared to roll under their feet. “It was a...

I have what some might consider the macabre habit of reading the casualty reports from Iraq every day in the New York Times. This may reflect the fact that I served in the military or that I worked in the White House during Vietnam. But there’s one name that hasn’t yet appeared in the casualty reports: the name of General Peter Pace, the first Marine—and I say this with pride as a former Marine—to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Why am I looking for Pace’s name on the casualty list? His distinguished military career was recently...

American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 28, 2007 - As he nominated his picks for the nation's top two military posts, President Bush said today they will succeed "two of America's finest military officers," Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani, vice chairman. Bush named Adm. Michael G. Mullen as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Marine Gen. James E. "Hoss" Cartwright as vice chairman, subject to Senate approval. Flanked by Mullen, Cartwright and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in the White House Roosevelt Room, the...

Watched the Gates/General Pace press conference. Was totally struck by the character of Pace. I couldn’t help thinking what a strong, honorable trustworthy man he seemed. And I couldn’t help but contrast his character with the politicians in Washington. Comparing a guy like Pace to say, Joe Biden, its just no contest. Then I got depressed. It seems all the politicians (read: democrats) want to do is tear down the guys like Pace who are the real hero’s and our nations strength. Are we losing our way in this country because we are no longer allowed to admire people like...

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today he is going to stay focused on his job of providing the best military advice to the president, vice president, defense secretary and rest of the National Security Council until his term expires at the end of September. Marine Gen. Peter Pace spoke along with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at a Pentagon news conference. Reporters asked Pace about the fact that Gates did not nominate him for a second two-year term as chairman. Gates, saying he wanted to spare the military a divisive confirmation...

This e-mail from a Marine officer-turned-Arkansas farmer who fought — and was wounded twice — in the Battle of Hue (in which then-2nd Lieutenant Peter Pace also fought), one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War: ... "I think Harry Reid is a wimp, who acts like a sissy, and could not lead a platoon of Marines to the head (latrine)."

NORFOLK, Va., June 15, 2007 – Although he would never voluntarily leave the battlefield while troops are at war, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said he accepts the decision to not renominate him for a second term. On June 8, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced that he was going to recommend that President Bush nominate Adm. Michael G. Mullen as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff rather than nominate Pace for another two-year term. Pace discussed that decision process in response to a question posed following an address to students, faculty, and local military and community leaders at the...

...I will tell you the truth as I know it, and that is around the middle of May, within a day or two of the Secretary learning from certain members of Congress that there may be a problem to renominate me, he brought me in the office and sat me down and said “Pete, this is what’s happening. ...

Pace says he refused to quit voluntarily By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 11 minutes ago In his first public comments on the Bush administration's surprise decision to replace him as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Peter Pace disclosed that he had turned down an offer to voluntarily retire rather than be forced out. To quit in wartime, he said, would be letting down the troops. Pace, responding to a question from the audience after he spoke at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va., on Thursday evening, said he first heard that his expected...

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed Thursday that he told liberal bloggers last week that he thinks outgoing Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace is "incompetent." Reid acknowledged similarly disparaging Army Gen. David Petraeus, head of Multinational Forces in Iraq. But Reid, whose comments to bloggers first appeared in The Politico, also told reporters: "I think we should just drop it." Reid's admission came as reporters peppered him with questions about Pace and Petraeus, overshadowing a Capitol Hill press conference designed to highlight Democratic attempts to improve fuel economy and energy efficiency.

Washington June 8, 2007 - CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr reported this evening that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Peter Pace's departure from that post may be linked to his recent comments regarding lesbian and gay military personnel. According to Starr's report, Pace's comments, along with his role in planning the war in Iraq and his support for convicted Vice Presidential advisor I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, played key roles in Congressional opposition to Pace's re-nomination. "His recent statements that he believed homosexual statements are immoral" presented a "significant problem" for Pace according to Starr. "Congressional leaders, in warning Secretary...

The Bush administration sought to avert a political fight with such Senate Democrats as Hillary Rodham Clinton and Carl Levin over Iraq and homosexuals in the military by not renominating Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace to a second term as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. "The administration view was that this would not be helpful to protect America's security," said a defense official close to the debate. "People viewed a bruising Senate fight as not helpful in terms of public opinion, or in preparing for the interim report" expected in September from the top commander in Iraq, Gen. David H....