Bush Iraq text (Full transcript of Bush's Thanksgiving Speech to the troops in Iraq)

Ledger Enquirer.com -- AP ^ | Nov. 27, 2003 | President George W. Bush

[FairOpinion]

A text of President Bush's remarks Thursday to U.S. troops in Baghdad, as provided by the White House:

Thank you. I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. General Sanchez, thank you, sir, for your kind invitation and your strong leadership. Ambassador Bremer, thank you for your steadfast belief in freedom and peace. I want to thank the members of the Governing Council who are here, pleased you are joining us on our nation's great holiday, it's a chance to give thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings we receive.

I'm particularly proud to be with the 1st Armored Division, the 2nd ACR, the 82nd Airborne. I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all. We're proud of you. Today, Americans are gathering with their loved ones to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. And this year we are especially thankful for the courage and the sacrifice of those who defend us, the men and women of the United States military.

I bring a message on behalf of America: We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you. Together, you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're honoring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job. You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so that we don't have to face them in our own country. You're defeating Saddam's henchmen, so that the people of Iraq can live in peace and freedom.

By helping the Iraqi people become free, you're helping change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping to build a peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you are defending the American people from danger and we are grateful.

You're engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins.

We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're part of the finest military ever assembled. And we will prevail because the Iraqis want their freedom.

Every day you see firsthand the commitment to sacrifice that the Iraqi people are making to secure their own freedom. I have a message for the Iraqi people: You have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country, based on human dignity and freedom. The regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever.

The United States and our coalition will help you, help you build a peaceful country so that your children can have a bright future. We'll help you find and bring to justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing innocent Iraqis. We will stay until the job is done. I'm confident we will succeed, because you, the Iraqi people, will show the world that you're not only courageous, but that you can govern yourself wisely and justly.

On this Thanksgiving, our nation remembers the men and women of our military, your friends and comrades who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom. We ask for God's blessings on their families, their loved ones and their friends, and we pray for your safety and your strength, as you continue to defend America and to spread freedom.

Each one of you has answered a great call, participating in an historic moment in world history. You live by a code of honor, of service to your nation, with the safety and the security of your fellow citizens. Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth. I'm proud to be your commander in chief. I bring greetings from America. May God bless you all.

[B-Cause]

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W

Click here or on the above images

W

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[matrix2225]

Did any one of you notice that there is a V sign on Our President Jacket? Victory is at hand, I Love this President, God Blesses you all. What a day, oh man, this is so great!

[SteveH]

Great photos!

I wonder though if GWB is deliberately trying to p*ss someone off with the Army uniform... ;-)

[speedy]

Thanks for posting, FO. It is actions like this that show, no matter how frustrated some here get with W from time to time, why we have to work as hard as possible to re-elect this man. No question, he put himself in harm's way to do this. He is OUR president and it makes me proud to call him that. Our prayers DO get answered when most needed.

[Conservative4Ever]

Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins.

This is MY President.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. God Bless our Troops and God Bless America.

Red

[Chantal]

The guy is gutsy...

Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. President and all of you from Free Republic.

[FairOpinion]

And another great quote from his speech:

"We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're part of the finest military ever assembled. And we will prevail because the Iraqis want their freedom."

[matrix2225]

Yes exactly, and happy Thanksgiving to you. How great I feel to see our President what He did!! That ladies and gentlemen of Free Republic is courage and dignity!

[jern]

thank you, for indexing.

[elbucko]

"Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth. I'm proud to be your commander in chief. I bring greetings from America. May God bless you all."

Yes they are. And may God bless you, Mr. President, for flying there to tell them so.

[Paul_B]

May God bless Pres. Bush. He's done the right thing, and earned major points in the process.

Grand slam, W. Prayers for your continued strength, courage, and wisdom.

p.

[RonDog]

See also some of the OTHER threads about this:

GOTTA SEE THIS-WarEnduring Freedom 11/28/03-Baghdad,Pres.Bush
			Posted by Diogenesis On 11/27/2003 2:36 PM PST with 3 comments ahoo, AP, Reuters, and the usual suspects | 11/28/03 | President Bush in Iraq with the valiant Armies of Good
U.S. Troops Across Iraq Cheer Surprise Bush Visit
			Posted by Ex-Dem On 11/27/2003 2:14 PM PST with 7 comments Wired News ^ | November 27, 2003 | Dean Yates
Reuters: Some Iraqis Welcome Bush, Others Wish Him in Hell
			Posted by Pokey78 On 11/27/2003 2:11 PM PST with 17 comments Reuters ^ | 11/27/03 | Khaled Oweis
Bush appearance stuns troops gathered at airport for Thanksgiving
			Posted by Maria S On 11/27/2003 1:25 PM PST with 31 comments AP ^ | 11/27/03 | JIM KRANE
Bush Iraq text (Full transcript of Bush's Thanksgiving Speech to the troops in Iraq)
			Posted by FairOpinion On 11/27/2003 12:29 PM PST with 30 comments Ledger Enquirer.com -- AP ^ | Nov. 27, 2003 | President George W. Bush
(President)Bush Iraq Quotes
			Posted by kattracks On 11/27/2003 11:45 AM PST with 9 comments AP | 11/27/03
Bush Trip to Baghdad Kept Top-Secret
			Posted by kattracks On 11/27/2003 11:25 AM PST with 51 comments NewsMax.com Wires ^ | 11/27/03 | AP
DFU SONG: Air Force Hymn (Pres. Bush in Baghdad!!!)
			Posted by doug from upland On 11/27/2003 11:24 AM PST with 11 comments DFU SONG PARODIES | 11-2003 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland
Bush Makes Secret Thanksgiving Visit to Iraq
			Posted by AmericanMade1776 On 11/27/2003 10:48 AM PST with 125 comments wireservice.wired.com ^ | nov 27,2003 | steve holland
Bush Makes Surprise Visit to Baghdad
			Posted by Pro Consul On 11/27/2003 9:42 AM PST with 14 comments Fox News ^ | 11/27/2003 | Associated Press
Bush Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq
			Posted by PeteFromMontana On 11/27/2003 9:42 AM PST with 172 comments mywaynews via Drudge Report ^ | 11/27/2003 | TERENCE HUNT
President Bush is eating in my undisclosed location (UPDATE: Undisclosed location is IRAQ!)
			Posted by ChiefKujo On 11/27/2003 7:37 AM PST with 1,137 comments Eyes on ^ | 271830(C)NOV03 | ChiefKujo

[q_an_a]

it is great that like many other speeches he makes, he says what needs to be said and then stops.

[TruthNtegrity]

Ping!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thanks!

[MeekOneGOP]

If anything has ever merited it's own post, this does. God Bless OUR President Bush and all of our miltary men and women.

Amen ! Hope ya'll have had a very Happy Thanksgiving Day !

[onyx]

Happy Thnaksgiving to you too, Meek. When you've digested your meal, maybe you will post some more beautiful photos of POTUS and the troops? Now that I can *see* I can't get enough of 'em.

[Paul_B]

Thanks much, RonDog.

p.

[VOA]

The audio is getting played (nearly complete) on KABC radio here in Los Angeles, right now.

[nicmarlo]

We'll help you find and bring to justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing innocent Iraqis. We will stay until the job is done.

I thank God everyday for this Commander-in-Chief!