For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 3, 2001
Statement by the President
I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of 21 members of the Florida
and Virginia National Guard aboard a C-23 transport plane that crashed
this morning outside Macon, Georgia. This tragic loss on a
routine training mission reminds us of the sacrifices made each and
every day by all of our men and women in uniform. The price
of freedom is never free. Today's events remind us that it
is sometimes unspeakably high. On behalf of the entire Bush family, I
extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to
all members of the 171st Aviation Battalion of the Florida Army
National Guard and the 203rd Redhorse Flight of the Virginia Air
National Guard. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
during this very difficult time.
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