President Honors General Richard B. Myers in Farewell Tribute

White House website ^ | September 30, 2005 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for the warm welcome. It is a pleasure to join you in paying tribute to a fine American and a superb Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dick Myers. I'm glad to see the Myers family here: Dick's great wife, Mary Jo; their children, Rich, Nicole and Erin; their grandchildren, Sophie and Cole. I know those grandkids are proud of their grandfather today. I want you to know, kids, you're joined by the Commander-in-Chief and the American people.

Today we also honor the outstanding Marine succeeding General Myers as the Chairman, General Pete Pace. I'm glad that Pete's family has joined us today: his wife, Lynne; their daughter, Tiffany; their son, Lieutenant Pete Pace; and the General's brothers, Tom and Simone; as well as his sister, Elizabeth and his mom, Doris.

I have come to know Pete Pace well during his time as the Vice Chairman. I appreciate his wisdom and commitment to serve, and I look forward to having Pete by my side in the years ahead.

I want to appreciate the Vice President for being here. Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for your continued strong leadership. I appreciate the Secretary of State, Condi Rice, joining us. I want to thank all the members of the administration who have come to pay tribute to this fine man and his wife. I particularly thank the President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, who served with Dick Myers for four years at the Defense Department. I thank the members of the Diplomatic Corps who have joined us.

When I asked Dick Myers to take his job back in the summer of 2001, I knew we had some important things in common: We both made a good decision early in life when we married a teacher. We both flew fighter jets -- although I never won the Grey Eagle Award. We both knew it would take all of our combined strength, energy and resolve to defend the American people -- and to keep up with Don Rumsfeld. (Laughter.)

When General Myers was sworn in as the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff four years ago, he joined a long line of distinguished military leaders that stretches back to General Omar Bradley. Every Chairman faced difficult tests, yet none took up his duties under more demanding circumstances than Dick Myers. In his first week as the Chairman, we launched strikes on terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. By the middle of December, American trips and our allies had driven the Taliban from power, put al Qaeda on the run, and freed more than 25 million people. In other words, Dick had plenty to do in his first ten weeks on the job.

We asked more of General Myers in the years that followed. He helped design a broad and innovative military strategy to win the war on terror. His leadership and flexibility were essential to the liberation of Iraq, and to adapting our tactics to defeat the terrorists and help Iraqis build a peaceful democracy. General Myers forged strong relationships with his military counterparts around the world, and helped unite more than 90 nations in the war on terror.

He also helped us prepare for the new threats of the 21st century by helping transform the NATO Alliance, and making our Armed Forces lighter, more lethal, and more capable of conducting joint operations. And as he did all this, he led our military through a series of extraordinary humanitarian challenges, from tsunami relief in Asia to the rescue operations along the Gulf Coast in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. General Myers brought skill and determination to all these tasks, and he leaves his post with a record of remarkable accomplishment.

[La Enchiladita]

The General's qualities have long been known to those he works with. One of Dick's former bosses described him this way: "He's a level-headed guy, he doesn't panic, he eats pressure for breakfast, and he doesn't have a personal agenda." General Tommy Franks called him a "solid anchor in the building."

[InsureAmerica]

It was great to see yuppie wimp matt lauer early this morning "interviewing" this great man. I was embarrassed to watch it. This little *** has no manners, is a complete idiot. Perfect for the job he has. Myers could break him in half and make him wet his pants....

[La Enchiladita]

ping

[GarySpFc]

I went to high school with Dick Myers back in the fifties. He's a class act all the way, and you will seldom find men of his character.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks for checking in and telling us! First person testimony!

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks for the ping! :)

[Marine_Uncle]

His watch sure has contained a little bit of action. I salute his many years of service.

[cubreporter]

and after the good General broke little matt in half he could then break him into quarters...no contest!!!

[RetiredArmy]

lauer like 99.999999% of the MSM and democrats, are when it comes to real life, cowards. They hide behind men like this and those serving, that give these stinking, puking pigs, the voice to damn the very people that serve and protect their stinking, puking, worthless, cowardly lives. My hate and disgust for these cowards goes deeper than the depths of hell.

[luvie]

Thanks for the ping, LE! General Myers is a great American and we should all salute him for the honorable, intelligent way he has run the Services on his watch!

General Richard Myers--you're a Great American!

[InsureAmerica]

!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great way to start the day - reading your post - now I'm ready!