Bush: Ousting Saddam was right

I am honored to be here at Fort Campbell. (Cheers.) I am honored to be with these Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne, the Night Stalkers of the 160th, the Green Berets of the 5th Special Forces Group, all members of the Fort Campbell Community. (Cheers.) You are part of the finest -- (cheers) -- the finest military in the world. I have one word for you. Hoo-ah! (Cheers.)

I also bring greetings. I also bring greetings from another man named Bush, America's only skydiving president. (Laughter.) He said, pass on these two words. Air Assault! (Cheers.)

I want to thank Theresa Vail (sp). These women represent the military families who have sacrificed, just like our military has, on behalf of an incredibly grateful nation. I extend our heartfelt thanks and our respect to the military families here on Fort Campbell. (Cheers, applause.)

I thank -- I thank Governor Beshear, who's with us, the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I want to thank the two Congress folks that represent this important base: Congressman Ed Whitfield from Kentucky, Congressman Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee. And I also want to thank Congressman Zach Wamp from Tennessee as well for joining us.

I appreciate all the local and state officials who are here today. I particularly want to point out one person, Staff Sergeant John Forbess. I had the honor of meeting John at the base of Air Force One. He was severely wounded in the helicopter crash in Iraq in 2003. Yet despite his wounds he volunteers in the Fisher House.

I'm proud of those of you who not only serve our nation by wearing a fabulous uniform, but serve our nation by feeding the hungry and providing home -- houses for the homeless, for loving your neighbor just like you'd like to be yourself. Just like -- Sergeant Forbess has done.

I want to thank very much those of you who made this event -- happen. I mean, it's not easy to host the president. (Laughter.) (Sound of baby crying.) (Laughter.) Thanks for coming out.

You know, we're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it.

AUDIENCE: Hoo-ah!

PRESIDENT BUSH: The day before my first Thanksgiving as your president, guess where I was.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Right here.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Right here at Fort Campbell.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Hoo-ah.

PRESIDENT BUSH: For those of you who weren't here, I can only say that watching a bunch of Screaming Eagles tear into turkey is quite a sight. (Laughter.)

That Thanksgiving came shortly after the worst terrorist attack in our nation's history. The war in Afghanistan had just begun. The Rakkasans were the first conventional brigade to join the battle.

AUDIENCE: Hoo-ah!

PRESIDENT BUSH: That November day, I said: Once again, you have a rendezvous with destiny.

And today there is no doubt that you have held this motto, you have done your duty, and you have defended the United States of America. (Cheers, applause.)

Over the past seven years, folks from this base have done exactly what they were trained to do. The Screaming Eagles, the Night Stalkers, the 5th Special Forces Group have gone on the offense in the war against these killers and thugs. You have taken the battle of the terrorists overseas so we do not have to face them here in the United States. (Cheers, applause.)

You have helped counter the hateful ideology of tyranny and terror with a more hopeful vision of justice and liberty. You're part of the great ideological struggle of our time. With the soldiers at Fort Campbell out front, the forces of freedom and liberty will prevail.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Hoo-ah.

PRESIDENT BUSH: The war on terror, the war against people who would do us harm again, is being waged on two main fronts -- Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan, we removed an oppressive regime that harbored the terrorists who planned the attacks that killed 3,000 folks on September the 11th, 2001. Because of our men and women in uniform, more than 25 million Afghans are free. Afghanistan is a democracy, an ally in the war on terror. And as a result of your courage, the American people are safer.

In the recent weeks, the members of the Thunder Brigade have begun deploying to Afghanistan for a new mission. You'll replace the Wings of Destiny Brigade and join a powerful coalition of forces including the Currahees, members of the Life Liners. You'll join Major General Schloesser and his division headquarters. Together you will help the people of Afghanistan defend their young democracy. Together you will ensure that a noble goal is achieved, that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for those who want to plot and kill American citizens.

The other main front in the war on terror is Iraq. In that country we removed a dictator who murdered his own people, paid the family of suicide bombers, who threatened America's security. As the regime crumbled, the dictator's sons tried to run and hide.

They could not hide from the United States military. They met their fate in Mosul at the hands of the Screaming Eagles. (Cheers.)

Because we acted, the dictator, his sons and their regime are no more, more than 25 million Iraqis are free and a young democracy has taken root where a tyrant once ruled. Removing Saddam Hussein was the right decision then and it is the right decision today. (Cheers, applause.)

With Saddam gone from power, our mission turned to helping the Iraqi people defend their freedom against violent extremists, including al Qaeda. In 2006, our efforts were faltering. So I reviewed our strategy and changed course. Instead of retreating, I ordered more troops into Iraq. And to lead the surge, I chose a former commanding general of the 101st Airborne, the man formerly known as Eagle 6, General David Petraeus. (Cheers.)

Our troops conducted this surge with resolve and with valor and nobody knows the impact better than the Screaming Eagles. When the Bastogne Brigade deployed to Salahuddin last year, the province was struggling to recover from the bombing of the famous golden mosque. But you partnered with the Iraqis to restore security. Schools and businesses are now open. The golden mosque is being rebuilt. And throughout the province hope is returning. The terrorists are being driven out. The Iraqi people have the Screaming Eagles to thank.

Across Iraq, the surge has produced similar results. Since the surge began, violence and sectarian killings have fallen dramatically. Iraqi security forces have taken responsibility for 13 out of Iraq's 18 provinces. Slowly but steadily, economic and political progress is taking place. And Iraqis are working together for a more hopeful future.

As conditions on the ground continue to improve, we will further reduce American combat forces in Iraq. It's a strategy I call "return on success." So far, we've brought home a Marine Expeditionary Unit, two Marine battalions, six Army brigades without replacement, including the Rakkasans.

By the end of January, we'll have brought home more than 4,000 additional troops.

As conditions on the ground continue to improve, we're also making progress toward completing a strategic framework agreement and a security agreement with the Iraqi government. These landmark agreements will pave the way for a future of economic and diplomatic and military cooperation between our two countries.

Iraqi lawmakers in Baghdad are now debating these agreements through the democratic process. It's a good sign that Iraq has become a strong and vigorous democracy, and it's a testament to the success of our men and women in uniform.

War in Iraq is not over, but we're drawing closer to the day when our troops can come home, and when they come home, they will come home in victory. (Cheers, applause.)

The work you have done and are going to do is historical work. You see, the consequences of success in Iraq will resignate (sic; resonate) far beyond that country's borders and will resonate when your children and grandchildren begin to study the history of peace.

Success will frustrate Iran's ambitions to dominate the region. Success will show millions across the Middle East that a future of liberty and democracy is possible. Success will deny al Qaeda a safe haven for launching new attacks. Success in Iraq will mean that the American people are more secure at home.

In Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond, our men and women in uniform have done everything we have asked of them and more. You've earned the thanks of every American.

You know, this is going to be my last Thanksgiving as president. Sometimes I am asked what I will miss most about the job. Well, above all, I'm going to miss spending time with men and women who have volunteered to serve the United States of America, the fine men and women who wear the uniform. We are blessed to have defenders of such character and courage. I'm grateful to the families who serve by your side, and I will always be thankful for the honor of having served as the commander in chief. (Cheers, applause.)

So Laura and I wish you and your families a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We join you in praying for our troops spending the holiday far from home. We pray for those who've been wounded in battle and for all who love and care for them. We hold in our thoughts and prayers the brave men and women who have given their lives and the families who mourn for them. We ask the Almighty to watch over everyone who puts on the uniform and has volunteered to just serve this great land.