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Bush Makes Final Presidential Visit with Deployed Troops

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Monday, 15 December 2008

BAGHDAD — Camp Victory servicemembers had the opportunity to spend time with their commander in chief during the holiday season when President George W. Bush visited Al Faw Palace here, Dec. 14.

This will be Bush's last visit with deployed troops while serving as the president of the United States.

Bush, who arrived to thunderous applause and cheers, spoke to more than 1,500 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines about the incredible job they've done in Iraq.

"Congratulations on your inspiring accomplishments here in Iraq and above all thank you very much for volunteering to defend our country in a time of danger," Bush said. "Thanks to you the Iraq we stand in tonight is dramatically freer, dramatically safer, dramatically better than the Iraq we found eight years ago. As a result of the sacrifices of our troops, America is safer and more secure."

He also brought holiday wishes from the States, letting the troops know they are not forgotten even though they're serving far from home.

"Laura and I have been having a lot of Christmas parties at the White House, so I thought it'd be kinda neat to change the scenery," Bush said. "I'd rather be with the men and women of the United States military than anyone else," Bush said.

"I bring greetings from a proud and grateful nation. Merry Christmas to you and happy holidays," Bush continued. "This is the time of year to give thanks for our many blessings. The greatest blessing we have is freedom and the fact that we've got a United States military to defend that freedom."

After his speech, Bush shook hands with as many servicemembers as possible, posed for pictures, signed autographs and then made his exit to catch his flight out of Iraq.

Bush has spent time with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan four times throughout his presidency. First Lt. James C. Benson, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, said he's been in the military for 12 years and this is the first time he's been able to see the president in person.

"It's nice to see the commander in chief. It gave me purpose in what I'm doing here; It drove my purpose home," he said.

Although the 43rd president is on his way out of office after serving for eight years, his trip to Iraq let servicemembers know he's still thinking of them.

"I think it really meant a lot to everyone that was here," said 1st Lt. Damien Butel, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2. "It was really good for them to see him in his final days in office and know that we're still on his mind as we're fighting out here."

Even though the changing of the guard with President-elect Barak Obama will begin in just under a month, service members are continuing to accomplish their day-to-day missions in Iraq to help this country move toward a brighter future.

"We're continuing to do the job that we're scheduled for," Butel said. "We're not dropping our packs for anything. We're just going to continue to press on."

(By Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante, Multi-National Corps - Iraq PAO)