President Thanks Employers for Support of Guard and Reserve Forces
Remarks by the President on Signing National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week
The East Room
2:16 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for coming. Thanks for the warm
welcome. Welcome to the people's house.
In a few moments, I will sign a proclamation in honor of employers
across America who have shown their support for our National Guardsmen
and Reservists. In times of need, our nation counts on the Guard and
Reserve members to fulfill their commitments of service. We value
their courage and we honor their sacrifice. They are defending their
nation in the war on terror and they're serving in a just cause.
Our Guardsmen and Reservists depend on the understanding of their
employers. Across America, where units have been activated, employers
at offices and factories and schools, hospitals and other workplaces
have been understanding and really supportive. They've given priority
to the needs of our nation. Employers have shown great consideration
for their workers who have been called to duty and great support for
the nation's defense. These companies have the gratitude of our
nation, they have the gratitude of the Commander-in-Chief.
I appreciate members of my team who are here today. Secretary
Elaine Chao of the Department of Labor and Secretary Tony Principi of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, thank you both for coming. I
appreciate Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz at the Department of Defense
for being here, as well. Under Secretary David Chu, thank you for
coming, David. I appreciate Acting Secretary of the Army, Les Brownlee
for being here. I see that General Pete Pace is here, Vice Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I appreciate Assistant Secretary Thomas
Hall, Assistant Secretary for Reserve Affairs for coming, thank you
sir. I appreciate David Janes, the Acting National Chairman of the
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve group. Thank you for
coming.
Most of all, I thank you all for being here, particularly those who
wear our nation's uniform.
American citizen soldiers have served in every conflict since the
Revolutionary War. Some of the most legendary names in American
military history are associated with Guard and Reserve units. The
famed "Keystone Division", as the Pennsylvania National Guard was long
known, once marched under the command of Omar Bradley. The "Rainbow
Division", which drew soldiers from Guard units in 26 states and from
the District of Columbia, was led in World War I by a young Brigadier
General named Douglas MacArthur. In 1905, 21-year-old Harry S. Truman
joined the Missouri National Guard. Our 33rd President learned much
from his experiences in the Guard, and so did the 43rd President.
(Applause.)
But most of all, I remember the high caliber of the people with
whom I served. Today, more than 1.2 million men and women serve in the
Guard and the Reserve. That's almost half of America's total military
strength. These men and women face the difficult challenge of
balancing military duty with civilian employment. They know that the
call to active duty can come at any time.
And they're always ready. Guardsmen and Reservists are now serving
around the world -- in places like Afghanistan and in Iraq. They serve
here at home, as well, in the war on terror. They're meeting the
terrorist enemy abroad so our fellow citizens do not have to face the
enemy at home. (Applause.)
They are part of our efforts to employ targeted and decisive force
against cold-blooded, terrorist killers. They're helping to train and
equip Iraqis and Afghans to defend their own nations. They're helping
the Iraqi and Afghan people build just and free and democratic
governments. They're helping to defend the American homeland.
Our Guardsmen and Reservists are showing great skill and courage,
and America honors their unselfish dedication to duty. Our Guardsmen
and Reservists rely on the support and patience of their families,
their wives and husbands and daughters and sons who must bear the
prolonged absence of a loved one. They rely on their civilian
employers to put their national interest above the corporate or self
interests. Employers of Guard and Reserve members make possible the
contributions of our citizen soldiers. By supporting the mobilization
of patriots, employers are demonstrating their own patriotism.
With us today are representatives of companies that have given
outstanding support to the Guard and to the Reserve. Central Atlantic
Toyota Distribution Center, D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company; Miller
Brewing; Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation; Tyson Foods are all
winners of this year's Secretary of Defense Employers Support Freedom
Award. (Applause.)
These companies do all their utmost to support and encourage
service in America's National Guard and Reserve. They provide pay,
health care benefits, and job security to the men and women who are
called to active duty. They recognize that their workers are fighting
to keep America free. (Applause.)
Other companies are making equally important contributions.
Albertson's, Clear Channel Airports, Home Depot, and Verizon all
provide outstanding support to their employees during mobilizations.
All of us appreciate the generosity and the public spirit shown by
these outstanding companies, and many others like them around our
country.
Members of the Guard and Reserve are with us today. We're proud of
your service. We thank you for your sacrifice. The war on terror has
drawn on many of America's strengths, and one of the greatest strengths
is the citizen-soldier, like Specialist James Dexter of the Illinois
National Guard. At home, Specialist Dexter is a volunteer fire
fighter. In Iraq, he is serving as a military police officer. On
three separate occasions in a single month, Specialist Dexter rushed to
the scene of traffic accidents, twice saving the lives of American
soldiers and Iraqi citizens, and once putting out a dangerous fire. He
was awarded the Bronze Star. He has earned the gratitude of our
country for his service.
America needs the Guard and Reserves more today than we have had in
decades. We're at war. Yet we're fortunate that so many of our
citizens have heeded the call to serve a cause greater than
themselves. (Applause.) And we are fortunate that our Guard and
Reserve units have received such support from America's business
community. As a sign of America's gratitude, I'm pleased to invite
representatives from the nine companies here today to join me in
signing a proclamation designating National Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve Week.
May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our great
country. (Applause.)