President George W. Bush Visits Troops at Walter Reed and Extends Holiday Greetings
President George W. Bush sent his best wishes for the holiday season and those of first lady Laura Bush to servicemembers around the world in a message broadcast on the Pentagon Channel.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Stipp of Avon, Ind., after presenting him with two Purple Hearts Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, during a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where the soldier is recovering from wounds suffered in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Looking on are his wife, Megan, and father, Mitch Stipp. White House photo by Eric Draper
Here is the text of the president’s holiday message:
“Laura and I send greetings to all the men and women of the U.S. military this holiday season.
“This time of year, our thoughts turn to rejoicing and reflection, gratitude and cheer, love and peace.
“Throughout our history, love of country and the hope of peace on earth have inspired America’s armed forces, from the frozen fields of France to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Around the globe, today’s men and women in uniform are carrying on that noble tradition. You are helping bring freedom, security and peace to millions in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere, and you are helping to protect the American people here at home.
“Many of you are spending this holiday season far from home, but you are close in our thoughts and prayers.
“I am sometimes asked what I will miss most about being president. Above all, I am going to miss being your commander in chief. Every one of you volunteered to serve the United States, and in this dangerous time, I thank you for making the world freer, our country safer and all Americans proud.
“Happy holidays and may God bless you.”
The President also visited Walter Reed Hospital.
President George W. Bush paid a call to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Monday, December 22, 2008 to visit with wounded warriors, extend holiday greetings to them and their families and check up personally on the care and support they are receiving.
“Every time I come here, I get amazed at the quality of care, the professionalism and the courage of our troops,” Bush told reporters after the visit.
“I can say with certainty that the health care that our troops get in military medical facilities is excellent,” the president said. “I am so pleased to hear from spouses and other loved ones about the care they get, as well, when they come to visit their … wounded child or wounded husband or wounded spouse.”
Noting that the visit is likely to be his last before leaving office, Bush said he took “great pleasure” in thanking those who serve at Walter Reed and other military medical facilities.
He reiterated his sentiment that he’ll miss his role as commander in chief more than any other part of the presidency. “The military is the thing I’ll miss the most, and coming here to Walter Reed is a reminder of why I’ll miss it,” he said.
“This is my duty,” he said. “The president is commander in chief, but the president is often ‘comforter in chief,’ as well. It is my duty … to try to comfort as best as I humanly can a loved one who is in anguish.”
Comfort can come in many different forms, the president said. “Comfort means hug, comfort means cry, comfort means smile, comfort means listen,” he said. “Comfort also means, in many cases, assure the parent or the spouse that any decision made about troops in combat will be made with victory in mind, not about my personal standing in the polls or partisan politics.”
Full Transcript of George W. Bush Walter Reed Statement 3:03 P.M. EST:
THE PRESIDENT: Every time I come here, I get amazed at the quality of care, the professionalism, and the courage of our troops. I can say with certainty that the health care that our troops get in military medical facilities is excellent. I am so pleased to hear from spouses and other loved ones about the care they get, as well, when they come to visit their wounded — wounded child or wounded husband or wounded spouse.
And so this will probably be my last time coming here as the Commander-in-Chief. It gave me a great pleasure to thank all those who serve here, and all those who serve throughout our military, military medical facilities. You know, I oftentimes say being the Commander-in-Chief of the military is the thing I’ll miss the most, and coming here to Walter Reed is a reminder of why I’ll miss it.
Thank you very much.
This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.