By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 7, 2007 - Vice President Richard B. Cheney yesterday praised U.S. servicemembers waging the war on terror and their fellow Americans who support them as they put their lives on the line. "We're not a country that takes our military for granted," the vice president said during an address to the Marine Corps League's national convention in Albuquerque, N.M. "Even in the quietest of times, Americans have always understood that our men and women in uniform are the ones who assure stability and keep the peace."
That message resonates even more so when the country is threatened. "In wartime, we have daily reminders of the kind of courage and skill that protects us all and preserves freedom for the next generation," Cheney said.
He noted that the country's fighting men and women have faced "long deployments, setbacks and tough conditions -- tracking terrorists on frozen mountain ridges in Afghanistan to carrying heavy packs and 60 pounds of body armor in the 120-degree heat of the desert."
These hardships haven't deterred them one bit, he said. "They have soldiered on in every circumstance, and they have stuck together, as Americans always do."
Cheney noted that on July 4, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, witnessed 588 men and women serving in Iraq participate in what may have been the largest re-enlistment ceremony in history.
He said he was impressed, too, to read about Marine Cpl. Gareth Hawkins, who recently was injured in a roadside attack as he began his third deployment to Iraq. News reports about the incident note that Hawkins "asked to complete one piece of unfinished business before being rushed via ambulance to undergo surgery at the hospital at the local Marine base," Cheney told the group.
"He wanted to re-enlist for another four-year hitch. That's the kind of dedication that makes our whole nation proud," the vice president said.
He thanked members of the Marine Corps League who look out for their interests and support programs that benefit the troops, particularly those wounded on the battlefield, as well as their families.
The league's work is particularly important "as the nation confronts a continuing danger, as American soldiers and Marines slug it out against merciless enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.
"Being Marines, you have valuable perspective on what our military is dealing with at this very hour," he said. "And because you're leaders in your communities, your help is very important as we remind fellow citizens of the nature of our broader war on terror, the stakes of our country and the need for a systematic and a decisive victory."
Cheney praised the league members for placing their country's interests above their own. "As Marines, you know what it means to put self-interest and personal convenience down at the bottom of the list, well behind the call to duty, the code of honor and the needs of the nation," he said. "So I thank you for your service."
Showing posts with label cheney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheney. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Cheney Tells Sailors U.S. Committed to Middle East
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
May 11, 2007 – The Middle East is a crucial part of the world, and the United States will remain involved in bringing peace to that troubled area, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said aboard the aircraft carrier USS Stennis today. The Stennis and its strike group are operating in the Persian Gulf. Cheney visited the carrier during a trip to the Middle East, which included two days in Iraq.
Cheney delivered President Bush's greetings to the crew and said he has "never been more proud of the United States military than I am today."
The Stennis has been in the thick of the fight against terrorism and has had repeated deployments to the region. "It's not easy duty to serve in this part of the world," Cheney said. "It's a place of tension and many conflicts. Throughout the region, our country has interests to protect and commitments to honor."
The Stennis is operating with the USS Nimitz Strike Group. "With two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike: we'll keep the sea lanes open," the vice president said. "We'll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We'll continue bringing relief to those who suffer and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom.
"And we'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region," he added.
The fight against terrorism and fundamentalist extremists is unlike any the United States has been involved in. It is not army versus army or fleets taking on other fleets. "The terrorist enemies are hidden and dispersed," he said. "They view the entire world as a battlefield, and that is why we're dealing with them systematically, from Afghanistan to Iraq."
The enemy will murder innocent, unsuspecting men, women, and children, and serve an ideology that rejects tolerance and demands total obedience, he said. "The terrorists who have declared war on America have made Iraq the central front in that war," he said. "Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants believe they can wear us down, break our will, force us out, and make Iraq a safe haven for terror."
Cheney said al Qaeda leaders see Iraq as the centerpiece of a new caliphate, or Muslim kingdom, that they will dominate and use as a safe haven to export fear and violence. "The terrorists have stated these ambitions clearly, and they intend to pursue them with ferocity," the vice president said. "The United States also has made a decision: As the prime target of a global terror campaign, we will take the fight to the enemy. We will not sit back and wait to be hit again."
Cheney spoke briefly about his meetings in Baghdad with Iraqi and coalition leaders. He said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq, said he expects more violence as the enemy tries to destroy the hopes of the Iraqi people. But the coalition and Iraqi forces are making progress.
"The job now is to persevere in every area of operations - from Baghdad to Anbar province to the border areas," Cheney said. "And I think General Petraeus's own words put it best: 'We cannot allow mass murderers to hold the initiative. We must strike them relentlessly. We and our Iraqi partners must set the terms of the struggle, not our enemies. And together we must prevail.'"
Cheney said the United States has learned the lessons of history. "Nearly six years ago, we saw that dangers can accumulate on the far side of the world, yet still find us in our own country," he said. "We've learned, as well, that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength, ... they are invited by the perception of weakness. You and every member of our military can be certain that America will stay on the offensive in the war on terror."
President Bush and all members of the national security team understand the threat, the vice president said. "We know that we're not dealing with adversaries that will surrender or suddenly come to their senses," he said. "So we'll be flexible. We'll do all we can to adapt to conditions on the ground. We'll make every change necessary to do the job.
"And I want you to know that the American people will not support a policy of retreat," he continued. "We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to return home with honor."
Article sponsored by police officers who have written books on law enforcement jobs; as well as those involved in writing on leadership.
American Forces Press Service
May 11, 2007 – The Middle East is a crucial part of the world, and the United States will remain involved in bringing peace to that troubled area, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said aboard the aircraft carrier USS Stennis today. The Stennis and its strike group are operating in the Persian Gulf. Cheney visited the carrier during a trip to the Middle East, which included two days in Iraq.
Cheney delivered President Bush's greetings to the crew and said he has "never been more proud of the United States military than I am today."
The Stennis has been in the thick of the fight against terrorism and has had repeated deployments to the region. "It's not easy duty to serve in this part of the world," Cheney said. "It's a place of tension and many conflicts. Throughout the region, our country has interests to protect and commitments to honor."
The Stennis is operating with the USS Nimitz Strike Group. "With two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike: we'll keep the sea lanes open," the vice president said. "We'll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We'll continue bringing relief to those who suffer and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom.
"And we'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region," he added.
The fight against terrorism and fundamentalist extremists is unlike any the United States has been involved in. It is not army versus army or fleets taking on other fleets. "The terrorist enemies are hidden and dispersed," he said. "They view the entire world as a battlefield, and that is why we're dealing with them systematically, from Afghanistan to Iraq."
The enemy will murder innocent, unsuspecting men, women, and children, and serve an ideology that rejects tolerance and demands total obedience, he said. "The terrorists who have declared war on America have made Iraq the central front in that war," he said. "Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants believe they can wear us down, break our will, force us out, and make Iraq a safe haven for terror."
Cheney said al Qaeda leaders see Iraq as the centerpiece of a new caliphate, or Muslim kingdom, that they will dominate and use as a safe haven to export fear and violence. "The terrorists have stated these ambitions clearly, and they intend to pursue them with ferocity," the vice president said. "The United States also has made a decision: As the prime target of a global terror campaign, we will take the fight to the enemy. We will not sit back and wait to be hit again."
Cheney spoke briefly about his meetings in Baghdad with Iraqi and coalition leaders. He said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq, said he expects more violence as the enemy tries to destroy the hopes of the Iraqi people. But the coalition and Iraqi forces are making progress.
"The job now is to persevere in every area of operations - from Baghdad to Anbar province to the border areas," Cheney said. "And I think General Petraeus's own words put it best: 'We cannot allow mass murderers to hold the initiative. We must strike them relentlessly. We and our Iraqi partners must set the terms of the struggle, not our enemies. And together we must prevail.'"
Cheney said the United States has learned the lessons of history. "Nearly six years ago, we saw that dangers can accumulate on the far side of the world, yet still find us in our own country," he said. "We've learned, as well, that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength, ... they are invited by the perception of weakness. You and every member of our military can be certain that America will stay on the offensive in the war on terror."
President Bush and all members of the national security team understand the threat, the vice president said. "We know that we're not dealing with adversaries that will surrender or suddenly come to their senses," he said. "So we'll be flexible. We'll do all we can to adapt to conditions on the ground. We'll make every change necessary to do the job.
"And I want you to know that the American people will not support a policy of retreat," he continued. "We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to return home with honor."
Article sponsored by police officers who have written books on law enforcement jobs; as well as those involved in writing on leadership.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Breaking America's Will as Road to Victory
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 21, 2007 – Terrorists know they can't defeat the United States militarily, so they seek instead to break the nation's will, Vice President Dick Cheney told the crew of the USS Kitty Hawk today. Cheney spoke aboard the aircraft carrier in Japan, one stop on a swing through the Pacific. "The only way (terrorists) can win is if we lose our nerve and abandon our mission," Cheney said. "So they continue committing acts of random horror, believing they can intimidate the civilized world and break the will of the American people."
Terrorists have made Iraq the central front of the struggle, Cheney told the Kitty Hawk's crew, and are well aware of the stakes there.
"If the terrorists were to succeed, they would return Iraq to the rule of tyrants, make it a source of instability in the Middle East, and use it as a staging area for even more attacks," he said. "The terrorists also know that as freedom takes hold, the ideologies of hatred and resentment will lose their appeal, and the advance of liberty and self government in the broader Middle East will lead to a much safer world for our children and our grandchildren.
"This nation has learned the lessons of history," Cheney continued. "We know that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength; they are invited by the perception of weakness."
The war on terror, the vice president said, is unlike any war the nation had fought previously.
"This war is not a matter of finding an opposing army and engaging it, or finding a navy and sinking it," he said. "The terrorist enemies are hidden and dispersed, and they view the entire world as a battlefield. They are determined to commit indiscriminate murder against innocent, unsuspecting men, women, and children. They serve an ideology that rejects tolerance and demands total obedience.
"It's an extreme and a hateful ideology -- and it's what drove 19 men to get on airplanes and come kill 3,000 Americans," he continued. "These enemies want to seize control of a country in the Middle East so they can acquire a base for launching attacks, and oil wealth to finance their ambitions. They want to target and overthrow other governments in the region, and eventually to establish a totalitarian empire that encompasses the region from Spain, across North Africa, through the Middle East and South Asia, all the way to Indonesia. And it would not stop there."
Cheney cited terrorists' stated goals and their history of attacking U.S. interests whenever possible as reasons to keep taking the fight to them in Iraq.
"We know that if we leave Iraq before the mission is completed, the enemy is going to come after us," he said. "Having seen our interests attacked repeatedly over the years, and knowing the ambitions of the terrorists, this nation has made a decision: We will engage these enemies. We will face them far from home, so we do not have to face them on the streets of our own cities.
"Every member of our military can be certain that America will stay on the offensive in the war on terror," he continued. "The president of the United States and his national security team understand the threat -- the enemy's changing tactics and its unchanging nature. We are not dealing with adversaries that will ever surrender or come to their senses."
Under the leadership of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Cheney said, U.S. forces are helping Iraqis to clear and secure Baghdad to protect the local population, and are ensuring that Iraqi forces will be capable of providing the security necessary in their capital city on their own. But it won't happen overnight or without a price, the vice president noted.
Petraeus, he said, is aware of the challenge of engaging what the general called "a determined, adaptable, barbaric enemy" in a battle of wills that holds no guarantees. But he said U.S. strategy in Iraq recognizes that the enemy won't stand pat.
"We will be flexible. We'll do all we can to adapt to conditions on the ground. We'll make every change necessary to do the job," he said. "And I want you to know that the American people will not support a policy of retreat. We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to return with honor."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 21, 2007 – Terrorists know they can't defeat the United States militarily, so they seek instead to break the nation's will, Vice President Dick Cheney told the crew of the USS Kitty Hawk today. Cheney spoke aboard the aircraft carrier in Japan, one stop on a swing through the Pacific. "The only way (terrorists) can win is if we lose our nerve and abandon our mission," Cheney said. "So they continue committing acts of random horror, believing they can intimidate the civilized world and break the will of the American people."
Terrorists have made Iraq the central front of the struggle, Cheney told the Kitty Hawk's crew, and are well aware of the stakes there.
"If the terrorists were to succeed, they would return Iraq to the rule of tyrants, make it a source of instability in the Middle East, and use it as a staging area for even more attacks," he said. "The terrorists also know that as freedom takes hold, the ideologies of hatred and resentment will lose their appeal, and the advance of liberty and self government in the broader Middle East will lead to a much safer world for our children and our grandchildren.
"This nation has learned the lessons of history," Cheney continued. "We know that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength; they are invited by the perception of weakness."
The war on terror, the vice president said, is unlike any war the nation had fought previously.
"This war is not a matter of finding an opposing army and engaging it, or finding a navy and sinking it," he said. "The terrorist enemies are hidden and dispersed, and they view the entire world as a battlefield. They are determined to commit indiscriminate murder against innocent, unsuspecting men, women, and children. They serve an ideology that rejects tolerance and demands total obedience.
"It's an extreme and a hateful ideology -- and it's what drove 19 men to get on airplanes and come kill 3,000 Americans," he continued. "These enemies want to seize control of a country in the Middle East so they can acquire a base for launching attacks, and oil wealth to finance their ambitions. They want to target and overthrow other governments in the region, and eventually to establish a totalitarian empire that encompasses the region from Spain, across North Africa, through the Middle East and South Asia, all the way to Indonesia. And it would not stop there."
Cheney cited terrorists' stated goals and their history of attacking U.S. interests whenever possible as reasons to keep taking the fight to them in Iraq.
"We know that if we leave Iraq before the mission is completed, the enemy is going to come after us," he said. "Having seen our interests attacked repeatedly over the years, and knowing the ambitions of the terrorists, this nation has made a decision: We will engage these enemies. We will face them far from home, so we do not have to face them on the streets of our own cities.
"Every member of our military can be certain that America will stay on the offensive in the war on terror," he continued. "The president of the United States and his national security team understand the threat -- the enemy's changing tactics and its unchanging nature. We are not dealing with adversaries that will ever surrender or come to their senses."
Under the leadership of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Cheney said, U.S. forces are helping Iraqis to clear and secure Baghdad to protect the local population, and are ensuring that Iraqi forces will be capable of providing the security necessary in their capital city on their own. But it won't happen overnight or without a price, the vice president noted.
Petraeus, he said, is aware of the challenge of engaging what the general called "a determined, adaptable, barbaric enemy" in a battle of wills that holds no guarantees. But he said U.S. strategy in Iraq recognizes that the enemy won't stand pat.
"We will be flexible. We'll do all we can to adapt to conditions on the ground. We'll make every change necessary to do the job," he said. "And I want you to know that the American people will not support a policy of retreat. We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to return with honor."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
