TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (USTCNS) --- President George W. Bush visited Travis Air Force Base Wednesday with a message not only for men and women in uniform, but for their families, as well.
The president spoke of his confidence in America's military men and women.
He explained that the U.S. military's real strength lay not in the aircraft weapons systems, but in the men and women who fly them and maintain them and "the people who make the military go."
He also discussed the current campaign against terrorism, and told the families of deployed service members that their loved ones were on a noble mission.
"The planes to the left and right of where we stand here represent the unmatched air power of the United States," the president said. "But that's not our real strength. The real strength of this proud nation is the men and women who wear the uniform. That's the real strength of this country."
Bush told Travis military members that America is proud of their deeds, proud of their talents and proud of their service to country.
He also reflected on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America, and quoting a Travis pilot he identified as "Randy," said, "…when you strike one American, you strike us all."
The president said, "The victims of September 11th were innocent, and this nation will never forget them. "The men and women who murdered them were instruments of evil, and they have died in vain. This nation is strong. This nation is united. This nation is resolved. This nation will defeat terror wherever we find it across the globe.
"And make no mistake about it; this great nation will do what it takes to win," he said. "We are determined. We are patient. We are steadfast. We are resolved. We will not tire and we will not fail."
Although the president spoke of America's confidence in their military men and women, he made it clear that military families are also playing a role in this campaign against terrorism.
"... to the families of those of you whose mom or dad or husband or wife have been deployed, I want you to know that they're on a noble mission. The cause is just, and we will win," he said.
"And one thing I fully understand is that when American forces answer the call of duty, they count on their families for support and encouragement. Every deployment brings uncertainty and, I know every deployment brings worry and concern. Our military is made up of brave men and women, and brave families, as well."
Although most of the Travis people waited for hours for a chance to see their president and encountered an elbow-room-only viewing area, spirits were high and the president's words were obviously well received.
With each statement from the president, the Travis crowd erupted in applause. Following the president's speech, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Baloun, a trombone player for the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, said the president's speech was both inspiring and comforting.
"It was especially nice to hear [the president] acknowledged the dedication we all share here in defending out country," Baloun said.
The sergeant said the mission of the band is to build troop morale and preserve a nation's heritage. He said in only 20 minutes, Bush did with words what it would take his band a year to accomplish. "I'm just proud I was a part of it all," added Baloun.
Master Sgt. Wilmer Cristobal of the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron agreed that it was nice to hear the president show his appreciation for American military men and women, and he said he could tell the president meant every word he said.
Cristobal, like many others, said he was especially inspired by the story the president told about the son of a Travis military member.
During his speech, the president said he had heard the 4-year-old son of a deployed Travis service member has been telling the neighbors that, "Daddy is saving the world."
"The boy is right," said Bush. "The future of the world is at stake. Freedom is at stake. But I want to tell that boy his daddy has got plenty of help. There are a lot of people like his daddy fighting this war."
Senior Airman Carrie Manka of the 60th CES said she stood in line for five hours to hear her commander-in-chief speak, and following the president's departure, she teamed up with dozens of other civil engineers to help tear down several large platforms used during the president's visit. "It was all worth it," said Manka, who was one of the fortunate few who shook hands with the president.
Manka described the experience as "very personal."
"[President Bush] looks at you in the eye when he shakes your hand," she explained. "He looked me in the eyes, shook my hand and said 'Hi.' I could tell he really cared about what he was doing."
Following the president's speech, military personnel, civilian employees and family members were using words like "proud" and "memorable" and "remarkable."
But in his last few words to the Travis crowd, Bush used words like "steadfast" and "alert" and "united."
"We must not let the terrorists cause our nation to stop traveling, to stop buying, to stop living ordinary lives. We can be alert and we will be alert, but we must show them that they cannot terrorize the greatest nation on the face of the Earth. And we won't. We will not be terrorized; we will not be cowed.
"The [terrorists] have struck us. They've tested our mettle and tested our character," he said. "But they are going to find that this nation understands we've reached a pivotal moment in history, where we will plant our flag on the ground -- a flag that stands for freedom -- and say to anybody who wants to harm us or our friends or allies, you will pay a serious price, because we're a nation that is strong and resolved and united."
(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
