Bush Thanks U.S., South Korean Troops for War Efforts
(August 8, 2008) | 
|
|
|
President George W. Bush
receives applause as he delivers his remarks to
U.S. Army military personnel stationed at the
U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan, Aug. 6, 2008, in
Seoul, South Korea.
White House photo by Chris Greenberg
|
|
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2008
During a visit today to the South Korean capital
city of Seoul, President Bush thanked U.S. and
South Korean troops for their efforts during the
global war on terrorism.
Almost seven years after
the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, America remains at
war with terrorism, Bush said at Yongsan
Garrison. It is important, he said, that the
United States continues to “use all assets of
national power to keep the pressure on the
enemy, to do our solemn duty to protect the
American people from further harm.”
The anti-terror war is an
ideological struggle, in which “the best way to
yield the peace for our children
and grandchildren is to understand the
transformative power of freedom,” Bush said.
|
|
Bush thanked U.S.
servicemembers “for being the carriers of
freedom and liberty.” The president also thanked
South Korean troops for their efforts in the
Mideast.
“Some of Korea's bravest citizens are working to
spread the hope of freedom to other nations,
especially in the Middle East,” Bush said.
“Korean troops have served with courage
alongside ours in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
The people of Afghanistan
and Iraq “will always remember that the people
of Korea stood with them in their time of need,”
Bush said. “And they'll always remember the
contribution that our U.S. troops have made, as
well.” |
|
President George W. Bush
shakes hands with U.S. Army Cpl. Victor Berlus
before delivering his remarks to the U.S. Army
Garrison-Yongsan. White House photo by
Eric Draper |
| |
After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. and allied
forces toppled the Taliban in Afghanistan and deposed Saddam
Hussein in Iraq, Bush said. |
President George W. Bush
greets military personnel during his visit to
the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan. White House
photo by Eric Draper |
|
“In Afghanistan, we
removed a dangerous regime that harbored the
terrorists who plotted the attacks on
Sept. 11, and now we're working to make sure
Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for
terrorists to plot against us,” he said.
“In Iraq, we removed a dangerous regime that
threatened its neighbors and the peace of the
world. Removing Saddam Hussein was the right
decision at the time, and it's the right
decision today.”
Bush acknowledged the fightagainst al-Qaida
terrorists and other extremists in Iraq has been tough.
However, he added, “events have turned toward victory” in
Iraq since the surge of forces was launched last year. “ |
| |
The enemy is on the run. Violence is down.
Iraqi forces are assuming more responsibility in the fight,”
Bush said. “Because of this progress, our troops have begun
to come home under the policy of return on success.” |
|
America will continue to stand
with the Iraqi people and will continue to
support the men and women in the U.S. military,
he vowed. “And we will defeat the enemy overseas
so we do not have to face them at home,” he
said. The
president also thanked U.S. troops for their
service and sacrifice.
“As I leave this peninsula for probably my last
time as your president, I go with confidence in
our mission, confidence in our country, and
with great gratitude in my heart for everyone
who wears our nation's uniform.
“Thank you for what you're doing,” the
president continued. “May God bless you. |
|
President George W. Bush
waves as he is welcomed by U.S. military
personnel before delivering his remarks, Aug. 6,
2008, at the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan in
Seoul, South Korea. White House photo by Eric
Draper |
|
May God bless the people
here. And may God continue to bless the United
States of America.” (See
Video) |
| |
By Gerry J.
Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2008
Reprinted
from American
Forces Press Service / DoD
Comment on this article |
|
