QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Visits Naval War College, Discusses Iraq, War on Terror Spruance Auditorium
Newport, Rhode Island
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Please be seated. Thanks for the warm welcome. Thanks, Governor; appreciate you -- go find a nice seat. (Laughter.) I am really pleased to be among the best and brightest of the United States military. (Applause.) And I am pleased to see the many here who represent nations from around the world. Thanks for coming by. (Laughter.) Those who go to school here are at a great place. We actually have some things in common. We went to school in New England. (Laughter.) We pursued advanced degrees. And we compiled outstanding academic records. (Laughter.) Well, two out of three. (Laughter and applause.)
The Naval War College is where the United States military does some of its finest thinking. You help the Navy define its mission. You support its combat readiness. You strengthen our maritime security cooperation with other countries. You train officers to think strategically. And that's important. The United States Navy is the most professional and advanced navy the world has ever seen -- and the men and women of the Naval War College are determined to keep it that way, and I appreciate your work.
Yesterday I went to a mosque -- Islamic Center in Washington, D.C. It's the 50th anniversary of the Islamic Center. It was a place where Dwight Eisenhower went to dedicate, and I went to rededicate it. And my message was, one, freedom is a beautiful thing, and that we expect societies to work toward freedom, and we want to do that. And at the same time, we honor all religion. That's what we do in America. And it is really meant to counter this notion that somehow America is in war against Islam. We're not. We're at war against killers who subvert a great religion in order to achieve their political objectives. And we'll keep working as hard as we can.
Anyway, great question. Look, I've got to go. I thank you all for coming by. God bless. (Applause.)
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush is applauded by Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri prior to his address at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., Thursday, June 28, 2007. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush addresses his remarks on national security and the war in Iraq at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., Thursday, June 28, 2007, saying "With the help of our troops, the Iraqi security forces are growing in number, they are becoming more capable, and coming closer to the day when they can assume responsibility for defending their own country." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush greets military personal Thursday, June 28, 2007, at the Rhode Island Air National Guard facility in Kingston, R.I., prior to leaving for Kennebunkport, Maine, where President Bush is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin July 1-2, 2007. White House photo by Eric Draper
