Posted on 01/11/2007 6:23:30 PM PST by snugs
Today the President attended a ceremony in honor of posthumous Medal of Honor winner Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham and then he visited troops at Fort Benning, Georgia
Today Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, along with Joints Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace, met with reporters in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House
Secretary Rice also appeared before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Visits with Military Personnel and Families at Fort Benning, Georgia
Freedom Hall
Fort Benning, Georgia
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. You call him General, I call him "Wojo." (Laughter.) Thank you for the introduction. I'm proud to be with you. I'm proud to be at Fort Benning, Georgia, home of the Infantry. I'm proud to be with those who have volunteered to serve our country, brave men and women who understand that the awesome responsibility of government is to provide security to the American people. I applaud you for your efforts. I'm proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. And I'm honored to have lunch with you.
I'm only sorry that my wife hasn't joined me. She's the better half of our deal. (Laughter.) But she sends her love and her respect.
Speaking about families, I have the greatest of respect for not only those of you who wear the uniform, but your families, as well. I fully understand in times of danger the military families make a significant sacrifice. And so on behalf of a grateful nation, I say thanks to the families of the soldiers here at Fort Benning, Georgia. (Applause.)
And the task, immediate task of America, and the long-range goal of this country must be to help those who desire to live in free societies to do so, for the sake of peace for our own children. And that's the call. And it's going to require sacrifice, and I appreciate the sacrifices our troops are willing to make. Some units are going to have to deploy earlier than scheduled as a result of the decision I made. Some will remain deployed longer than originally anticipated. I will work with you and the Congress to provide all the resources you need in this war on terror, and that means good equipment and training, good housing. I understand full well, if you're family is happy, you're happy. The same thing in my house, by the way. (Laughter.)
I believe it's important to increase the end strength of the United States Army so it can remain engaged -- (applause.) If this is a long struggle, now is the time to prepare this country and our military for this long struggle. It's important for our citizens to understand that the terrorists and extremists are as brutal an enemy as this country has ever faced. There are no rules of warfare. They don't -- they will kill you in a minute in order to achieve an objective. And I know we're going to face difficulties as we take on this important duty and task, and so do you.
You know first hand that -- what it means to lose a comrade. My view is that it is important for us to succeed so that comrade would not have died in vain. It's important to leave behind a better world as the sacrifices that all have made.
There is no doubt in my mind we will prevail. It will require patience and determination. It will require our military to do what you have done every time this government has asked of you. It will require the full resolve of not only this government, but future governments that will be following this one. Every time this country has been tested, we've responded. As I said last night, we have defied the pessimists, and we will do so again in this first battle of the 21st century.
God bless. (Applause.)
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
Tears run from the eyes of U.S. President George W. Bush during a ceremony in honor of Medal of Honor winner Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham in the East room of the White House in Washington, January 11, 2007. Cpl. Dunham was killed when he jumped on a grenade to save fellow members of his Marine patrol while serving in Iraq.
Hi
In time?
Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics
I am just helping dad to bed once I have done that will put photos up will be able 5 or 6 minutes.
Oh...triple toaster winners! I didn't quite make it in time. But congrats to you three :)
Somehow I knew that would be the picture of the day.
I wanted a toaster tonight with one of the teary-eyed photos. I've been on "toaster watch" --- kept refreshing the latest comments page. :0)
"triple toaster winners!"
Wonder if that's a record?!
WELL I LOVE PRESIDENT BUSH AND I TRUST HIS JUDGEMENT AND I FEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOM IF A LIBERAL BECOMES PRESIDENT! THE LIBERALS ARE NUTS!
I was too and still ended up with the 8th post.
Good to be here!
Yeah, so was I. But my connection was moving slower than a snail.
I think it's happened a few times before. It's definitely a rarity, though.
This president is so tender-hearted when it comes to our troops.
That is a wonderful picture of the day!
It took a second or two for my "In time? to post...and I thought to myself "why did I type anything?"
No, not a record -- it's been done before, but it sure is nice to share first place!
LOL!!! Isn't it kind of cheating if you don't post anything??
It just had to be be now for the rest of them
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