Remarks by President Bush to the West Virginia Air National Guard

    WASHINGTON, July 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a
 transcript of remarks by President Bush to the West Virginia Air National
 Guard:
     167th Airlift  Wing
     C-5 Maintenance  Hangar
     Martinsburg, West Virginia
     9:21 A.M. EDT
     THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thanks for the warm welcome. Happy 4th of
 July. I'm thrilled to be here in Martinsburg. This is the fourth
 Independence Day that I have spent in the great state of West Virginia
 since I've been your President. (Applause.) I appreciate General Tackett's
 introduction. Thank you, sir you read it just like I wrote it. (Laughter.)
     I love coming to your state because it's a state full of decent,
 hardworking, patriotic Americans. And I can't think of a better way to
 celebrate the 4th of July than to spend it with some of what we call the
 Mountain State's bravest and most dedicated citizens -- the men and women
 of the West Virginia Air National Guard. (Applause.)
     I am proud to stand with the 167th Airlift Wing. (Applause.) I like
 your slogan: "Mountaineer Pride, Worldwide." (Applause.) I'm also honored
 to be with West Virginia's great military families. Some of you have loved
 ones deployed overseas this 4th of July. I know that. And I know it may be
 hard to enjoy the fireworks and the picnics and the other celebrations
 while they're away on dangerous duty in a faraway land. And so I've come
 today to express our affection -- the affection of the United States of
 America for the military families who stand strong in the face of the
 difficult struggle we face to secure the United States of America. We're
 blessed to have our military families in the United States and I'm blessed
 to be here with you. Thanks for letting me come by. (Applause.)
     Speaking about Laura -- speaking about families, Laura sends her love.
 She would be with me, but I told her to fire up the grill. (Laughter.)
 Don't tell her I said that. (Laughter.) I thank Brigadier General Terry
 Butler, Commander, West Virginia Air National Guard, and his wife, Susan. I
 want to thank Eric Vollmecke, he's the 167th Wing Commander, and his wife,
 Sigrid.
     I appreciate being here today with a really fine United States
 Congresswoman, Shelly Moore Capito, and her husband, Charlie. (Applause.)
 You don't have to worry about her supporting the military. When we've got
 somebody in harm's way, she understands what I understand: that that
 military person and his or her family deserve the very strongest support
 from the federal government at all times. (Applause.)
     I enjoyed reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with some of the children
 from our military families. I thought they handled their task quite well. I
 appreciate Major Dave Reynolds, Chaplain, for giving the blessing. I thank
 the 249th Army Band of the West Virginia Army National Guard for playing
 here today. (Applause.)
     But most importantly, thank you all for coming. Thanks for being here.
 The 4th of July is a day for celebration and a day for gratitude. Across
 America, our citizens are going to come together for parades and
 pyrotechnic displays, and readings from our Declaration of Independence.
 It's a grand celebration. It's a great day to be an American.
     And when we carry on these festivities, it's important you know we're
 carrying on a grand tradition. This isn't the first time our country has
 celebrated the 4th of July. As a matter of fact, I would like to read a
 couple of paragraphs from a 1777 newspaper. And here's what it said on the
 first anniversary of the Declaration, as it described the scene in
 Philadelphia:
     "The 4th of July was celebrated with joy and festivity, fine
 performances, a number of toasts, followed by a discharge of artillery and
 small arms" -- don't do that today. (Laughter.) "And at night there was a
 grand exhibition of fireworks and the city was beautifully illuminated."
 This newspaper article from Philadelphia in 1777 went on to say: "Thus may
 that glorious and memorable day be celebrated through America by the sons
 of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more." We're still
 celebrating, and rightly so.
     Our first Independence Day celebration took place in a midst of a war
 -- a bloody and difficult struggle that would not end for six more years
 before America finally secured her freedom. More than two decades [sic]
 later, it is hard to imagine the Revolutionary War coming out any other way
 -- but at the time, America's victory was far from certain. In other words,
 when we celebrated the first 4th of July celebration, our struggle for
 independence was far from certain. Citizens had to struggle for six more
 years to finally determine the outcome of the Revolutionary War.
     We were a small band of freedom-loving patriots taking on the most
 powerful empire in the world. And one of those patriots was the founder of
 Martinsburg, West Virginia -- Major General Adam Stephen. Of course, it
 wasn't West Virginia then, but it was Martinsburg. (Laughter.) He crossed
 the Delaware with Washington. He helped secure America's victory at the
 Battle of Trenton -- and he later went -- and later, when our liberty was
 won, delivered stirring remarks in the Virginia House of Delegates that
 helped secure ratification of our Constitution.
     On Independence Day we give thanks, we give thanks for our Founders, we
 give thanks for all the brave citizen-soldiers of our Continental Army who
 dropped pitchforks and took up muskets to fight for our freedom and liberty
 and independence.
     You're the successors of those brave men. Those who wear the uniform
 are the successors of those who dropped their pitchforks and picked up
 their muskets to fight for liberty. Like those early patriots, you're
 fighting a new and unprecedented war -- pledging your lives and honor to
 defend our freedom and way of life. In this war, the weapons have changed,
 and so have our enemies, but one thing remains the same: The men and women
 of the Guard stand ready to put on the uniform and fight for America.
 (Applause.)
     In this war against radicals and extremists, in this war on terror,
 you're showing that the courage which won our independence more than two
 centuries ago is alive and well here in West Virginia. Since the attacks of
 September the 11th, 2001, every operational unit of the West Virginia
 National Guard has been deployed -- and some are on their second and third
 deployments.
     One member of the 167th Airlift Wing, Master Sergeant Richard Howland,
 has deployed seven times since the 9/11 attacks -- and this good man just
 volunteered to go to Baghdad for an eighth deployment in September.
 (Applause.) Our fellow citizens should listen to what Richard has said,
 what this volunteer has said. He said: "It is my patriotic duty to do
 whatever I can do to help." It feels "good that I'm keeping a lot of people
 safe." We're an incredible nation that has produced men like Richard
 Howland and you, who in the face of danger wear the uniform of the United
 States of America and step forward in freedom's defense. And I thank you
 for that. (Applause.)
     Since September the 11th, members of the West Virginia Air National
 Guard have earned seven Bronze stars and four Purple Hearts. Two of those
 Purple Hearts were awarded to Staff Sergeants Brad Runkles and Derek Brown.
 They're here today. (Applause.) You're not related to them, are you?
 (Laughter.)
     Brad and Derek are childhood friends; they grew up right here in
 Martinsburg and they signed up together to serve in the West Virginia
 Guard. In 2004, they were driving together in the lead gun truck of a
 convoy in Iraq when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Brad and
 Derek made it out, but they suffered burns on their hands and faces. They
 recovered from their wounds -- and in May of last year, they both
 re-enlisted. (Applause.)
     Today is the day to celebrate courage in the face of adversity. I want
 you to hear what Derek says. He said: "This war is something that has to be
 done -- either over there or here. And I think it's best we fight it over
 there," he said. (Applause.) "I'm proud to serve my country like those
 before me -- for the cause of freedom." America is proud to have citizens
 like Derek and Brad, that we call neighbors and friends and defenders of
 the peace. (Applause.)
     And your service is needed. We need for people to volunteer to defend
 America. Because in this war, we face dangerous enemies who have attacked
 us here at home. Oh, I know the passage of time has convinced some -- maybe
 convinced some that danger doesn't exist. But that's not how I see it, and
 that's not how many of you see it. These people want to strike us again. We
 learned on September the 11th that in the age of terror, the best way to do
 our duty, which is to protect the American people, is to go on the offense
 and stay on the offense. And that's exactly what we've been doing against
 these radicals and extremists. (Applause.)
     It is best that we take the fight to where the enemy lives, so we don't
 have to face them where we live. And so since 9/11, that's precisely the
 strategy we have followed. In Afghanistan -- where I know some of you have
 been deployed and some of you are deployed -- we removed a regime that gave
 sanctuary and support to al Qaeda as they planned the 9/11 attacks which
 killed nearly 3,000 citizens. They found safe haven. That's what they like.
 They like a place where they can plot and plan in relatively -- in
 security, all aiming to come and harm the citizens of the greatest face for
 liberty in the world.
     Today, because we acted, the terrorist camps in Afghanistan have been
 shut down, 25 million people have been liberated, and the Afghan people
 have elected a government that is fighting terrorists, instead of harboring
 terrorists. (Applause.) This enemy of ours -- they have got an ideology.
 They believe in something. In other words, the attacks are just a tactic to
 enable them to spread their dark vision of the world. Perhaps one way to
 differentiate between our thoughts is just think about religion. In the
 great country of the United States, we believe that you should be able to
 worship any way you see fit; that you're equally American, regardless of
 your religious beliefs. They believe that if you don't worship the way they
 see it, then they're going to bring you harm.
     We believe in an Almighty, we believe in the freedom for people to
 worship that Almighty. They don't. They don't believe you should worship
 the way you choose. They believe the only way you should worship is the way
 they choose. And, therefore -- and, therefore, they will do anything they
 can to spread that ideology. And it's our charge, it's our calling to keep
 the pressure on these people, to defend America and to spread an ideology
 of hope and an ideology of peace so that the kids who came up here to give
 the Pledge of Allegiance will be able to live in peace and security.
 (Applause.)
     There's more than one front in this war against these radicals and
 extremists. And, obviously, the toughest threat of all is in Iraq. In that
 country, we removed a cruel dictator who harbored terrorists, paid the
 families of Palestinian suicide bombers, invaded his neighbors, defied the
 United Nations Security Council, pursued and used weapons of mass
 destruction. The world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power.
 (Applause.) And today, U.S. and coalition troops are standing with the
 Iraqi troops and the nearly 12 million Iraqis who voted for a future of
 peace. We're opposing ruthless enemies who want to bring down Iraq's
 democracy and turn that nation into a terrorist safe haven.
     Earlier this year, I announced a new strategy in Iraq, under the
 leadership of General David Petraeus, and new Ambassador, Ryan Crocker. Our
 goal is to help the Iraqi government protect their population, so they can
 make progress toward reconciliation and build a free nation that respects
 the rights of its people, and upholds the rule of law, and is an ally
 against these extremists and terrorists and killers. And so we sent
 reinforcements to help the Iraqis secure their neighborhoods, and go after
 the terrorists and insurgents and militias that are inciting sectarian
 violence, and help get the capital under control.
     It's a tough fight, but I wouldn't have asked those troops to go into
 harm's way if the fight was not essential to the security of the United
 States of America. (Applause.) Many of the spectacular car bombings and
 killings you see are as a result of al Qaeda -- the very same folks that
 attacked us on September the 11th. A major enemy in Iraq is the same enemy
 that dared attack the United States on that fateful day.
     Al Qaeda hasn't given up its objectives inside Iraq. And that is to
 cause enough chaos and confusion so America would leave, and they would be
 able to establish their safe haven from which to do two things: to further
 spread their ideology; and to plan and plot attacks against the United
 States. If we were to quit Iraq before the job is done, the terrorists we
 are fighting would not declare victory and lay down their arms -- they
 would follow us here, home. If we were to allow them to gain control of
 Iraq, they would have control of a nation with massive oil reserves --
 which they could use to fund new attacks and exhort economic blackmail on
 those who didn't kowtow to their wishes. However difficult the fight is in
 Iraq, we must win it -- we must succeed for our own sake; for the security
 of our citizens, we must support our troops, we must support the Iraqi
 government, and we must defeat al Qaeda in Iraq. (Applause.)
     Victory in this struggle will require more patience, more courage, and
 more sacrifice. And we've lost some good men and women in this fight. And
 so on this 4th of July, we pause to remember the fallen -- and the grieving
 families they have left behind. We hold them in our hearts, we lift them up
 in our prayers, and we pledge to honor their memory by finishing the work
 for which they have given their life.
     Here at the Martinsburg Air National Guard Base, you're living in a
 wonderful and caring community. Over the course of this struggle, you've
 looked out for each other and you've given strength to each other in
 difficult moments. One of the community leaders making a difference on this
 base is Joy Enders. A couple of you -- (Applause.)
     In case you haven't ever heard of Joy, she's the President of the 167th
 Airlift Wing Family Readiness Group. She and the other members of the group
 make it their mission to care for the families of our deployed Guardsmen
 and women. Before one recent deployment, they took pictures of all the
 deploying airmen, and created iron-on transfers to place on pillowcases for
 the children of the deploying troops. It's a simple act, but it's an act of
 love and compassion that gave the children a sense that their moms and dads
 were nearby -- even though they were deployed a thousand miles away.
     Our military families miss their moms and dads, and husbands and wives,
 and sons and daughters. And they look forward to welcoming their loved ones
 home. And we all long for the day when there are far fewer American
 servicemen and women in Iraq. The time will come when Iraq has a stable,
 self-sustaining government that is an ally against these extremists and
 killers. That time will come when the Iraqi people will not need the help
 of 159,000 American troops in their country. Yet, withdrawing our troops
 prematurely based on politics, not on the advice and recommendation of our
 military commanders, would not be in our national interest. It would hand
 the enemy a victory and put America's security at risk -- and that's
 something we're not going to do.
     Our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other fronts in the war on terror
 are serving in a cause that is vital and just. And on this 4th of July, I
 ask every American to find a way to thank the men and women who are
 defending our freedom -- and the families that support them. (Applause.)
 There are many ways to show your gratitude. There are many ways for our
 fellow citizens to say thanks to the men and women who wear the uniform and
 their families. You can send a care package. You can reach out to a
 military family in your neighborhood with a mom or dad on the front lines;
 you can ask somebody, "What can I do to help you? What do you need?" You
 can car pool. You can be on bended knee and pray for a soldier and their
 families. To help you find ways to help, the Department of Defense has set
 up a website -- I would hope our fellow citizens all across the United
 States would call up AmericaSupportsYou.mil. At this website,
 AmericaSupportsYou.mil, you can learn about efforts in your own community
 as to how you can support our troops.
     As we celebrate our independence this 4th, we can have confidence in
 the enduring principles of our founding. The words of our Declaration hold
 a promise for all mankind -- and those ideals continue to inspire millions
 across the world.
     Recently, I traveled to Prague, the Czech Republic, where I spoke to a
 conference of dissidents and democratic activists from 17 nations on five
 continents. I was proud to represent our country at that historic meeting.
 I was proud to tell those brave souls that America stands with them in
 their struggle for liberty, because we believe in the universality of
 liberty. I personally believe that freedom is a gift from an Almighty to
 every man, woman and child on the face of the Earth.
     I looked out in that audience and I saw men and women who believe in
 the power of freedom to transform their countries and to remake the world.
 And I saw that those who live in tyranny and yearn for freedom still place
 their hopes in the United States of America.
     For the past six and a half years, it's been a privilege to be the
 President of such a good and decent nation that inspires and holds out hope
 to people all across the world. It's an awesome experience, and a humbling
 experience to hold a powerful office like President. It brings with it the
 great honor of being the Commander-in-Chief of the finest military the
 world has ever known. (Applause.) Because of the service of our military
 men and women, because our nation has got a military full of the bravest
 and most decent people that I've ever met, America remains a beacon of hope
 for all around the world; America remains the place where peace has the
 best chance to be encouraged.
     We're doing the hard work now so generations of American kids can grow
 up in peace. It's necessary work, it's important work, and I thank you for
 your sacrifices. (Applause.)
     May God bless you, and may God bless America. (Applause.)
     END 9:49 A.M. EDT
 
 

SOURCE White House Press Office