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CNN Live Event/Special
Bush Delivers Remarks to Medical Personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Aired December 18, 2003 - 12:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The president of the United States was there this morning to get his knees checked, an MRI. He's going to be speaking to medical personnel.
Let's listen in.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you all very much. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Laura and I are thrilled to be here at the Army Medical Center. We're thrilled because this is a place of love and healing and great compassion.
The center has a great history and an important mission. And that is you are serving those who serve our country.
In this time of war, and we are at war with an enemy that hates what America stands for, the good people of Walter Reed are giving the best of care to the men and women who have been wounded in action.
During a difficult time in their lives they count on you to give them the kind, professional care and decency and hope they deserve.
And on behalf of America, I thank you for your service.
(APPLAUSE)
Laura and I have had a great visit here. I know I'm not supposed to get out of my lane and give medical reports...
(LAUGHTER)
... but I can report that Colin Powell received great health care here and he is doing very well.
(APPLAUSE)
I want to thank the General Kylie (ph) and Babs (ph) for your hospitality again. I appreciate Colonel Jafin (ph). I appreciate Colonel B.J. McCaric (ph). She's been kind of looking after my body on occasion, too. (LAUGHTER)
Fortunately, she's got a lot to work with and...
(LAUGHTER)
But she's in charge of the physical therapy services. We've just come from her department, where we saw some incredible work being done, and some brave soldiers who were working hard to get to 100 percent.
I appreciate Colonel Sallisbury (ph), deputy commander for nursing, Colonel Greenwood (ph), Colonel Fitzpatrick (ph).
And thank you all.
I really appreciate the hardworking staff, the docs, the nurses, the people who make this fantastic facility operate in a way that makes me proud, in a way that'll make every American proud when they learn your story.
Each one of you has got a demanding job. It's a tough job here. I've seen your work firsthand. I know how tough it is.
I also know that you count it as a privilege to look after some exceptional Americans, people who are willing to sacrifice for their country.
When I spend time with members of our military, I'm impressed by the idealism and their concern for each other and the strong sense of duty that our soldiers feel. The members of the armed forces are now serving in a great cause, serving in a historic time. Peace and security of our fellow citizens depend upon their bravery and their willingness to serve.
In so doing, our soldiers accept the dangers and the hardships that this cause sometimes requires. You know them well; I'm coming to know them. They're the finest of our citizens.
(APPLAUSE)
Spend any time with these young men and women, you know that, whether it's on the battlefield or in the hospital, our men and women are always thinking of one another.
Even after being wounded, they often speak about returning to their units. And these aren't idle words; these are words that come from people who have seen the true nature of combat.
I'm proud to be their commander in chief. I'm proud to lead such fine men and women who are willing to sacrifice for their country.
(APPLAUSE)
There's something else the wounded say, and they say it often, and they say it clearly. They praise you all, and they praise the incredible health care they receive here at Walter Reed.
The doctors and nurses here are superb and dedicated and tireless. The administrative staff and the patient advocates and the chaplains are incredibly committed Americans and compassionate souls.
You show concern for the patients, and you love their families as well. You give attention to the medical needs, to the emotional needs and to the spiritual needs of those recently removed from the battlefield.
I want to thank the volunteers at Walter Reed. Many of you are veterans. Many of you have known war injuries of your own.
You're a source of inspiration. And you're good advice for people who are in recovery. The country is grateful for your service in the past. And your country is very grateful for your continued service to help lift the spirits of those who've been wounded on the battlefield.
Military medicine is a model of professionalism and organization. It starts with the combat medic -- the combat medic who is on the scene, the first health care a wounded soldier receives within moments of the injury. Patients are then treated by forward surgical teams and at combat support hospitals.
I found it interesting that Walter Reed has more than 60 of its staff serving in the Iraqi theater today. You moved your great medicine from this fantastic facility to the battlefront so that our soldiers get instant, professional care.
Our wounded troops might next go to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany, where they receive fine medical treatment before being delivered into your hands.
Our fellow citizens must understand that every stop that a soldier makes from battlefield to Walter Reed is manned by a staff trained in every skill of trauma medicine.
This morning I had a chance to visit, as I said, B.J.'s (ph) shop, which is the physical and occupational therapy facilities. Walter Reed is second to none in this kind of medicine. You are using the latest prosthetic technology to help patients overcome great challenges and resume their lives.
I know firsthand. I remember coming here a couple of months ago to pin the Purple Heart on a fellow who lost both legs and one arm.
Today I saw him walking.
(APPLAUSE)
What makes the story even more profound is he lost both legs and one arm, not as a citizen of the United States, but as a soldier fighting for the United States. Today I saw a citizen of the United States walking.
(APPLAUSE)
Americans would be surprised to learn that a grievous injury, such as the loss of a limb, no longer means forced discharge. In other words, the medical care is so good and the recovery process is so technologically advanced that people are no longer forced out of the military.
When we're talking about a forced discharge, we're talking about another age and another army. It's a new age, and this is a new army.
(APPLAUSE)
And today, if wounded servicemembers want to remain in uniform and can do the job, the military tries to help them stay.
This country asks a great deal of the men and women who serve our military. We're asking a lot of them, particularly in the first war of the 21st century. We put a lot of fine troops into harm's way to make this country more secure and the world more free and the world more peaceful. We ask them to face great dangers to meet a national need.
In return, we have made a commitment. We have made a commitment to the troops, and we have made a commitment to their loved ones.
And that commitment is that we will provide excellent health care, excellent care, to anybody who is injured on the battlefield.
Here at Walter Reed, all of you are making good on that commitment. You're saving the lives of liberators. You're healing the defenders of our country. You're comforting the champions of freedom.
For that, every single person who works here has the respect and the gratitude of our entire nation.
All of you who are here today are engaged in a great cause, a noble cause, an important cause for our country and for freedom and peace.
By your good work, you're helping to protect America.
And for that, your commander in chief says God bless and thank you.
Happy holidays.
(APPLAUSE)
BLITZER: The president of the United States over at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in the nation's capital. He went there earlier to get an MRI on his knees. He's been jogging a lot. No word yet on how that MRI tested, what the results are going to be. I'm sure we'll get all of those indications shortly. But the president used the opportunity also to meet with medical personnel, to meet with wounded soldiers who have been getting treatment. You see the first lady there with him. They'll be going back to the White House from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The president praising the medical, the military medical capabilities at Walter Reed and other military hospitals around the United States, indeed, around the world. An emotional appearance by the president at this U.S. Army hospital. The subject, of course, involved Iraq.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Army Medical Center>
Aired December 18, 2003 - 12:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The president of the United States was there this morning to get his knees checked, an MRI. He's going to be speaking to medical personnel.
Let's listen in.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you all very much. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Laura and I are thrilled to be here at the Army Medical Center. We're thrilled because this is a place of love and healing and great compassion.
The center has a great history and an important mission. And that is you are serving those who serve our country.
In this time of war, and we are at war with an enemy that hates what America stands for, the good people of Walter Reed are giving the best of care to the men and women who have been wounded in action.
During a difficult time in their lives they count on you to give them the kind, professional care and decency and hope they deserve.
And on behalf of America, I thank you for your service.
(APPLAUSE)
Laura and I have had a great visit here. I know I'm not supposed to get out of my lane and give medical reports...
(LAUGHTER)
... but I can report that Colin Powell received great health care here and he is doing very well.
(APPLAUSE)
I want to thank the General Kylie (ph) and Babs (ph) for your hospitality again. I appreciate Colonel Jafin (ph). I appreciate Colonel B.J. McCaric (ph). She's been kind of looking after my body on occasion, too. (LAUGHTER)
Fortunately, she's got a lot to work with and...
(LAUGHTER)
But she's in charge of the physical therapy services. We've just come from her department, where we saw some incredible work being done, and some brave soldiers who were working hard to get to 100 percent.
I appreciate Colonel Sallisbury (ph), deputy commander for nursing, Colonel Greenwood (ph), Colonel Fitzpatrick (ph).
And thank you all.
I really appreciate the hardworking staff, the docs, the nurses, the people who make this fantastic facility operate in a way that makes me proud, in a way that'll make every American proud when they learn your story.
Each one of you has got a demanding job. It's a tough job here. I've seen your work firsthand. I know how tough it is.
I also know that you count it as a privilege to look after some exceptional Americans, people who are willing to sacrifice for their country.
When I spend time with members of our military, I'm impressed by the idealism and their concern for each other and the strong sense of duty that our soldiers feel. The members of the armed forces are now serving in a great cause, serving in a historic time. Peace and security of our fellow citizens depend upon their bravery and their willingness to serve.
In so doing, our soldiers accept the dangers and the hardships that this cause sometimes requires. You know them well; I'm coming to know them. They're the finest of our citizens.
(APPLAUSE)
Spend any time with these young men and women, you know that, whether it's on the battlefield or in the hospital, our men and women are always thinking of one another.
Even after being wounded, they often speak about returning to their units. And these aren't idle words; these are words that come from people who have seen the true nature of combat.
I'm proud to be their commander in chief. I'm proud to lead such fine men and women who are willing to sacrifice for their country.
(APPLAUSE)
There's something else the wounded say, and they say it often, and they say it clearly. They praise you all, and they praise the incredible health care they receive here at Walter Reed.
The doctors and nurses here are superb and dedicated and tireless. The administrative staff and the patient advocates and the chaplains are incredibly committed Americans and compassionate souls.
You show concern for the patients, and you love their families as well. You give attention to the medical needs, to the emotional needs and to the spiritual needs of those recently removed from the battlefield.
I want to thank the volunteers at Walter Reed. Many of you are veterans. Many of you have known war injuries of your own.
You're a source of inspiration. And you're good advice for people who are in recovery. The country is grateful for your service in the past. And your country is very grateful for your continued service to help lift the spirits of those who've been wounded on the battlefield.
Military medicine is a model of professionalism and organization. It starts with the combat medic -- the combat medic who is on the scene, the first health care a wounded soldier receives within moments of the injury. Patients are then treated by forward surgical teams and at combat support hospitals.
I found it interesting that Walter Reed has more than 60 of its staff serving in the Iraqi theater today. You moved your great medicine from this fantastic facility to the battlefront so that our soldiers get instant, professional care.
Our wounded troops might next go to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany, where they receive fine medical treatment before being delivered into your hands.
Our fellow citizens must understand that every stop that a soldier makes from battlefield to Walter Reed is manned by a staff trained in every skill of trauma medicine.
This morning I had a chance to visit, as I said, B.J.'s (ph) shop, which is the physical and occupational therapy facilities. Walter Reed is second to none in this kind of medicine. You are using the latest prosthetic technology to help patients overcome great challenges and resume their lives.
I know firsthand. I remember coming here a couple of months ago to pin the Purple Heart on a fellow who lost both legs and one arm.
Today I saw him walking.
(APPLAUSE)
What makes the story even more profound is he lost both legs and one arm, not as a citizen of the United States, but as a soldier fighting for the United States. Today I saw a citizen of the United States walking.
(APPLAUSE)
Americans would be surprised to learn that a grievous injury, such as the loss of a limb, no longer means forced discharge. In other words, the medical care is so good and the recovery process is so technologically advanced that people are no longer forced out of the military.
When we're talking about a forced discharge, we're talking about another age and another army. It's a new age, and this is a new army.
(APPLAUSE)
And today, if wounded servicemembers want to remain in uniform and can do the job, the military tries to help them stay.
This country asks a great deal of the men and women who serve our military. We're asking a lot of them, particularly in the first war of the 21st century. We put a lot of fine troops into harm's way to make this country more secure and the world more free and the world more peaceful. We ask them to face great dangers to meet a national need.
In return, we have made a commitment. We have made a commitment to the troops, and we have made a commitment to their loved ones.
And that commitment is that we will provide excellent health care, excellent care, to anybody who is injured on the battlefield.
Here at Walter Reed, all of you are making good on that commitment. You're saving the lives of liberators. You're healing the defenders of our country. You're comforting the champions of freedom.
For that, every single person who works here has the respect and the gratitude of our entire nation.
All of you who are here today are engaged in a great cause, a noble cause, an important cause for our country and for freedom and peace.
By your good work, you're helping to protect America.
And for that, your commander in chief says God bless and thank you.
Happy holidays.
(APPLAUSE)
BLITZER: The president of the United States over at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in the nation's capital. He went there earlier to get an MRI on his knees. He's been jogging a lot. No word yet on how that MRI tested, what the results are going to be. I'm sure we'll get all of those indications shortly. But the president used the opportunity also to meet with medical personnel, to meet with wounded soldiers who have been getting treatment. You see the first lady there with him. They'll be going back to the White House from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The president praising the medical, the military medical capabilities at Walter Reed and other military hospitals around the United States, indeed, around the world. An emotional appearance by the president at this U.S. Army hospital. The subject, of course, involved Iraq.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Army Medical Center>
