The Legacy Run is one of the largest and longest organized motorcycle group rides in the United States. Occurring August 21-25, 2022, this annual cross-country ride fundraiser raises money for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, which benefits the children of fallen military personnel and the children of disabled veterans who served in the post-9/11 era.
Legacy Of The Fallen Legion
The parking lot at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick roared with the sound of more than 200 motorcycles riding into the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens at Salt River on Thursday, August 26. The riders rode across the country for the American Legion Legacy Run, a cross-country motorcycle-ride fundraiser that has been going on for 15 years to help children of fallen military personnel and the children of disabled veterans who served in the post-9/11 era.
Our recipients are as diverse as the country we call home. Their common bond, sacrifice. Their dreams of an education, common ground for all Americans. Like the 13 folds of the American flag presented to the family of a fallen service member, your $13 monthly pledge does more than allow their dependents to pursue their education. It tells these families they are not forgotten.
The fleeing U.S. forces ran towards the left wing of the Legion's column, where Lieutenant Colonel Jean François Hamtramck commanded the 2nd and 4th sub-legions. They broke through Captain Howell Lewis' company, which fell back without firing a shot.[34] Hamtramck, meanwhile, formed his wing into two ranks to halt the pursuing warriors, many of whom were armed with only tomahawks and knives,[36] and General Wilkinson formed the 1st and 3rd sub-legions into one extended line covering 800 yards of the right wing.[34] Wayne rushed to the sound of the muskets, and quickly deployed two light infantry companies from the center ahead of each wing, to halt any confederate advances until the lines could be properly formed.[37] Artillery was brought to the front and blasted the Native American line with grapeshot.[38] Blue Jacket's well-organized ambush was now in disarray, as the center elements had rushed forward while the wings had remained in position. When asked for orders by his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant William Henry Harrison, Wayne responded "Charge the damned rascals with the bayonet!"[39]
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Hamtramck advanced at trail arms and encountered the Wyandots, Lenape, and Canadians. A heavy exchange of fire ensued, and the confederate forces attempted to flank the 4th sub-legion. Instead, a brigade of Kentucky militia under Brigadier General Robert Todd moved quickly through the swamp and flanked the Canadians.[40] The 4th sub-legion pursued with fixed bayonets. The confederated forces retreated from their original positions, and were unable to effectively re-form in the rough terrain.[40]
The Ohio Historical Society maintains a small park at the site originally believed to have the main fighting (similar historic picture above and right). This site features the Battle of Fallen Timbers Monument, honoring both Major General Anthony Wayne and his army and Little Turtle and his warriors. Additionally, there are plaques describing the Battle of Fallen Timbers and honoring the several Indian tribes that participated. The main monument has tributes inscribed on each of its four sides honoring in turn, Wayne, the fallen soldiers, Little Turtle, and his Indian warriors. The park is located near Maumee in Lucas County. Turkey Foot Rock, marking the death place of Turkey Foot, is also at the site.[66][67]
"The American Legion is honored that the Congress of the United States introduced legislation to commemorate The American Legion's century of selfless service and great fidelity to our Nation. Since 1919, The American Legion has been committed to defending the Constitution, remembering our fallen, and promoting American values. This coin will memorialize the legacy of millions of veterans across the generations. Thanks to Ranking Member Tim Walz, Chairman Phil Roe, Senator Todd Young and Senator Joe Donnelly for their leadership on this important issue." -- Charles E. Schmidt, National Commander, American Legion
And earlier this summer, as our President secured a historic commitment for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, he also had our fallen on his heart. President Trump secured a promise from Chairman Kim to return the remains of all our missing fallen servicemembers lost in the Korean War.
And I will tell you, this son of that combat veteran from the Korean War was honored beyond words to be there when the first 55 flag-draped cases bearing the remains of our missing fallen arrived on American soil. Thanks to the leadership and compassion of President Donald Trump, our boys are finally coming home. (Applause.)
Deployments can be both rewarding and challenging. They can also give servicemembers a sense accomplishment and pride at having served their country and their fellow servicemembers. Getting fallen warriors home to their families provided Lt. Col. Allen Kirksey, 161st Logistics Readiness Squadron
President Addresses American Legion, Discusses Global War on TerrorCapital Hilton HotelWashington, D.C. President's Remarks In Focus: Veterans In Focus: National Security 10:00 A.M. ESTTHE PRESIDENT:Thank you all.Please be seated. (Applause.)Thanks forthe warm welcome. Mr. Commander, thank you for letting me come by andvisit with you about the subject of how to keep the peace and protect theUnited States of America. I'm proud to be with my fellow Legionnaires. (Applause.) Always a pleasure to be in the midst of veterans who servedour country. I see some people who are not quite veterans yet that arewith us, members who are serving all branches of government, and I thankyou all for coming. I appreciate your interest in the direction thiscountry must continue to lead in order to protect ourselves and promote thepeace.I want to thank Carol Van Kirk, who's the National President of theAmerican Legion Auxiliary. (Applause.) Oh, Tom Bock is wise enough toalways include the Auxiliary. He knows something about leadership. (Applause.) I want to thank Paul Hasz. I want to thank John Sommer,Executive Director. He spends quality time in the Oval Office, along withthe Commander.(Applause.) He's never shy to express his opinion, butthat's what you pay him for. (Laughter.)I want to thank the Chairman of the Senate Arms Services Committee, SenatorJohn Warner. Senator, it means a lot to me and it means a lot to the folkshere that you take time to come here to be with them. And I'm honoredyou're here. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)The American Legion is one of America's great organizations. From yourfounding after World War I to today's war on terror, Legionnaires havefought for our freedom, and you fought for the brave veterans who defendedour freedom, as well. You served our country in uniform and you serve ourcountry in civilian life. The Legion was founded, in the words of yourconstitution, "to build a sense of individual obligation to the community,state and nation." And when Hurricane Katrina struck our nation's GulfCoast, Legion posts all across America swung into action to help neighborsin need.Take, for example, Post 338 in Bradner, Ohio. These good folks helpedarrange medical transportation to reunite a sick child with his family,after the family was forced apart because of the storm. Or Post 27 inDeRidder, Louisiana, which turned its bingo hall into an emergency shelterfor 41 kidney dialysis patients and their care-givers and their loved ones.I think it's very interesting what the post commander, Retired Navy MasterChief Bill Loftin, said -- by the way, he said it when he was cooking hotmeals and helped care for disabled evacuees. He put it this way: "This isfor human life. That's what the Legion is all about."In times of crisis,our citizens know Legionnaires always come through, and I appreciate you. (Applause.)Members of the American Legion are showing the heart of the Legion everysingle day, not just when catastrophe hits. Across America, Legionnairesand members of the Ladies Auxiliary volunteer in veterans hospitals,sponsor Scout troops and youth baseball, collect scholarship money fordeserving students, including a special fund that the Legion establishedfor the children of troops who've been killed in the war on terror. And Ithank you for that, as well.Our nation is grateful for your service on and off the battlefield. As youserve your fellow Americans in need, you're also strongly supporting theAmerican flag.It was a Legion that helped draft our nation's first flagcode back in 1923. And Legionnaires have been working ever since to makesure the flag is cherished and protected. I appreciate your leadership ofthe Citizens Flag Alliance, and like you, I support a constitutionalamendment to protect the American flag. (Applause.)As veterans, you have placed the nation's security before your own lives,and that sacrifice creates a debt that our country can never fully repay. Yet there are things government can do, such as strongly support ourveterans, and that's precisely what my administration is doing. The timewhen we're holding down discretionary spending, my 2007 budget -- with my2007 budget, my administration will have increased funding for our veteransby $35 billion since I took office, which is an increase of 75 percent. (Applause.)We have made health care a top priority for my administration.With my2007 budget, we'll increase VA's medical care budget by 69 percent since2001. Our increased funding has given almost a million more veteransaccess to the VA medical care system. Since January 2002, disabilityclaims are being processed 63 days faster than they were when I tookoffice. In the last four years, we've committed almost $3 billion tomodernize and expanding VA facilities so that more veterans can get carecloser to home. We're working to ensure that veterans with the greatestneeds -- those with service disabilities and lower incomes and specialneeds -- are given priority. We've making sure that our men and womenreturning from combat are the first in line for treatment. (Applause.)We're also getting results for veterans beyond the health care system.Formore than a century, federal law prohibited disabled veterans fromreceiving both their military retired pay and their VA disabilitycompensation. Combat-injured and severely disabled veterans deservebetter. I'm the first President in more than 100 years to sign concurrentreceipt legislation. (Applause.) And I thank the Legion for working onthese issues.Our nation's debt extends not just to the veterans who served, but also tothe families who stood by them in war.I signed into law the VeteransBenefits Act, authorizing $1 billion in new and expanded benefits fordisabled veterans, surviving spouses and their children. The families ofour veterans have served our country. Our nation will honor their serviceby standing with them in their time of need. (Applause.)As veterans you know what it means to leave your family, put on the uniformand head off to war. And today in Afghanistan and Iraq and other fronts inthis war on terror, a new generation of servicemen and women is carrying onyour legacy of selfless sacrifice and courage under fire. As they fightdangerous enemies in distant lands, I know that you share America's pridein them, and I thank all of you for your strong support of our troops inharm's way. (Applause.) Their service is needed in these dangerous times.We remain a nation at war. The war reached our shores on September the11th, 2001, when our nation awoke to a sudden attack. Like generationsbefore us, we have accepted new responsibilities, and we will confrontthese dangers with firm resolve. (Applause.)Our most important duty is to defend the American people, and so we'retaking the fight to those who attacked us. We're taking the fight to thosewho share their murderous vision for future attacks. We will take thisfight to the enemy without wavering, and we will prevail. (Applause.)The enemy we face is brutal and determined. The terrorists have anideology. They share a hateful vision that rejects tolerance and crushesall dissent. They seek a world where women are oppressed, where childrenare indoctrinated, and those who reject their ideology of violence andextremism are threatened and often murdered.The terrorists have aims. They seek to impose their heartless ideology oftotalitarian control throughout the Middle East. They seek to armthemselves with weapons of mass murder. Their stated goal is to overthrowmoderate governments, take control of countries, and then use them as safehavens to launch attacks against Americans and other free nations. Toachieve their aims, the terrorists have turned to the weapon of fear. Theydon't have the military strength to beat us. They can't beat us on thebattlefield. They just cannot defeat the United States military. And sothey're trying to break our will with stunning acts of violence. Theterrorists do not understand America. They're not going to shake our will. We will stay in the hunt, we will never give in, and we will prevail. (Applause.)After the attacks of September the 11th, we have set forth a new strategyto do our duty to protect the American people.First, we're on theoffensive, and we'll stay on the offensive, recognizing that we must defeatthe terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.Secondly, I've set a clear doctrine: America makes no distinction betweenthe terrorists and the countries that harbor them. If you harbor aterrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists, and you're an enemy ofthe United States of America. (Applause.)Thirdly, one of the clear lessons of September the 11th is that the UnitedStates of America must confront threats before they fully materialize. After September the 11th, I looked at the world and saw a clear threat inSaddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein was an enemy of the United States. He wasfiring at American military pilots patrolling the no-fly zones. He was astate sponsor of terror. He was in open defiance of more than a dozenUnited Nations resolutions. He had invaded his neighbors. He hadbrutalized his people.He had a history of using and producing weapons ofmass destruction. Saddam defied the will of the world. And because weacted to remove this threat, Saddam Hussein is in prison, he's on trial forhis crimes, and the world is better for it. (Applause.)Fourthly, we're advancing our security at home by advancing the cause offreedom across the world, because, in the long run, the only way to defeatthe terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear byoffering the hopeful alternative of human freedom. That's what I want totalk to you about today -- our forward strategy for freedom. I'll discusswhy the advance of freedom is vital to our security and the peace of theworld, and how our efforts to spread liberty and democracy throughout thebroader Middle East are progressing. I'm going to discuss with you ourwork to help the world's newest democracies build institutions of libertythat are the foundations for lasting peace. Our freedom agenda is based ona clear premise: the security of our nation depends on the advance ofliberty in other nations.On September the 11th, 2001, we saw that problems originating in anoppressive state 7,000 miles away could bring murder and destruction to ourcountry. We saw that dictatorships shelter terrorists and feed resentmentand radicalism, and threaten the security of free nations. We knowthroughout history that democracies can replace resentment with hope, andrespect the rights of their citizens and our neighbors, and join togetherto fight in this global war against terror.History has shown that free nations are peaceful nations. Think about allthe bloodshed on the continent of Europe the past 100 years. In World WarI and in World War II, there were bloody battles. Thousands of Americanswent to Europe to fight in those wars and never came home. Democracy tookhold in Europe, and today, Europe is whole, free, and at peace.Think about the example of the Far East. You know, my dad, like many ofyour relatives, went off to fight the Japanese as an 18-year-old fighterpilot; 60 years later, his son is working with the Prime Minister of Japanto keep the peace. And what took place between war and friendship was thedevelopment of a Japanese-style democracy. As we march into the future,America must be confident in the capacity of democracies to yield to peacewe all want.We're committed to an historic long-term goal:To secure the peace of theworld, we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Far from being a hopelessdream, the advance of freedom is the great story of our time. Just 25years ago, at the start of the 1980s, there were only 45 democracies on theface of the Earth. Today, there are 122. And in the past four yearsalone, more than 110 million human beings have joined the ranks of thefree.In our time, we've witnessed revolutions of Rose and Orange and Purple andTulip and Cedar, and these are just only the beginnings. Across the worldfreedom is on the march, and we will not rest until the promise of freedomreaches people everywhere across the globe. It's in our national interest. It's important that we understand the capacity of freedom to yield thepeace.In the march of freedom, some of the most important progress is takingplace in a region that has known -- has not known the blessings of liberty,and that's the broader Middle East. Since September the 11th, 2001, thenation of Afghanistan has gone from the terror of the Taliban to ademocratic constitution, to successful presidential elections, to theseating of a democratically elected parliament.In less than three years, the nation of Iraq has gone from living under theboot of a brutal tyrant to liberation, to sovereignty, to free elections,to a constitutional referendum, and to elections for a fully constitutionalgovernment.By any standard or precedent of history, these two countries have madeincredible progress on the road to a free society. America is inspired byAfghan and Iraqi determination to live in freedom.Freedom's progress in Afghanistan and Iraq is inspiring millions around theworld to demand their liberty, as well. In Lebanon, in Kyrgyzstan, votershave gone to the polls to choose their leaders in free elections. In othernations across the broader Middle East, hope is stirring at the prospect ofchange, and change is going to come. In that region that has known decadesof tyranny and oppression, we're seeing the rise of a new generation whosehearts burn for freedom, and they will have freedom.As freedom spreads to new parts of the world, we're seeing something else,as well -- the uncertainty that often follows democratic change. Freeelections are exhilarating events. Yet history teaches us that the path toa free society is long, and not always smooth.I've seen that in our ownhistory. In the years following the American Revolution, there were riotsand uprisings and even a planned coup.In 1783, Congress was chased fromPhiladelphia by angry veterans demanding back pay, and Congress stayed onthe run for six months. (Laughter.) It was then that Congress learned,don't mess with America's veterans. (Applause.)It's important to remember that our first effort at a governing charter,the Articles of Confederation, failed, and it took over a decade afterindependence before we adopted our Constitution and inaugurated GeorgeWashington as our first President. Other countries have had similarexperiences. After the collapse of communism in Eastern and CentralEurope, nations like Slovakia and Romania and Ukraine struggled for manyyears to overcome the legacy of oppression before freedom finally tookroot.No nation in history has made the transition to a free society withoutsetbacks and false starts. Free elections are an important step on theroad to a free society, but they're the first step. What separates nationsthat succeed from those that falter is their progress in establishing acivil society based on free institutions. So as we work for democraticchange across the broader Middle East, we're also working to help newdemocracies establish the institutions that are the foundations of lastingfree societies.Our efforts in the broader Middle East have been guided by a clearprinciple. Democracy takes different forms in different cultures. Yet,all cultures, in order to be successful, have certain common truths,universal truths: rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, afree economy, freedom of women, and the freedom to worship. Societies thatlay these foundations not only survive, but they thrive. Societies thatdon't lay these foundations risk backsliding into tyranny.This principle has guided our efforts in Iraq.When our coalition arrivedin Iraq, we found a nation where almost none of these basic foundationsexisted. Decades of brutal rule by Saddam Hussein had destroyed the fabricof Iraqi civil society. Under Saddam, Iraq was a country where dissent wascrushed, a centralized economy enriched a dictator instead of the people,secret courts meted out repression instead of justice, and Iraqis werebrutally oppressed by Saddam's security forces. And when Saddam Hussein'sregime fled Baghdad, they left behind a country with few civic institutionsin place to hold Iraqi society together.So our coalition has worked to help the Iraqi people rebuild its civilsociety and the free institutions that sustain a democracy. And it hasbeen very difficult work. Today, Iraq, though, does have a thriving freepress, with hundreds of independent newspapers and magazines and talk radioshows where Iraqis openly debate the future course of their country. Inspite of the difficulties, Iraq does have a emerging free market with anindependent central bank, and thousands of small businesses operatingacross the country.Iraq is building an independent judiciary that is replacing the rule of atyrant with the rule of law, and which is now holding Iraq's formerdictator to account for his crimes against the Iraqi people. Iraqis haveadopted one of the most progressive democratic constitutions in the Arabworld with protections for minority rights and women's rights.Iraqis nowenjoy freedom of association, as we saw in the December elections, whenparties and coalitions openly campaigned for the vote of the Iraqi people.We're carrying out our clear strategy of victory in Iraq. On the politicalside, we're helping Iraqis build a strong democracy so old resentments willbe eased and the insurgency marginalized. On the economic side, we'recontinuing reconstruction efforts and helping Iraqis build a modern economyso all Iraqi citizens can experience the benefits of freedom.And on the security side, we're striking terrorist targets, and at the sametime, training Iraqis which are becoming increasingly capable of carryingthe fight to the enemy. Our strategy in Iraq is, as the Iraqis stand up,we'll stand down. Troop levels on the ground will be decided by commanderson the ground -- not by politicians in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)In all aspects of our strategy, we've learned from experience.We'velearned from the good advice of people like Chairman Warner. We're fixingwhat hadn't worked. We'll continue to make changes as necessary tocomplete the mission, to meet the objective, and that is a country whichcan sustain itself, defend itself, protect itself, and serve as a strongally in the war on terror. (Applause.)For every terrorist working to stop freedom in Iraq, there are many moreIraqis and Americans and troops from around the world working to defeatthem. There's still a lot of work to be done.The enemies of a free Iraqare working to stop Iraq's democratic progress. Democracy scares them. They understand a democratic Iraq will be a major defeat in theirtotalitarian aims.They're going to continue their campaign of violence and destruction. Wesaw their brutality again this week when terrorists bombed the GoldenMosque in Samarra. That mosque is one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. This senseless attack is an affront to people of faith throughout theworld.The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act of terror,and the subsequent attacks on other mosques and holy sites in Iraq. We'lldo everything in our power to help the Iraqi government identify and bringto justice those responsible for the terrorist acts.This is a moment of choosing for the Iraqi people. This morning I talkedto our Ambassador in Iraq, Zal Khalilzad, and General Casey. Zal isactively engaged with leaders of all political factions to ensure a commonmessage of restraint and unity. He reports to me that the leaders arecommitted to stopping civil strife. The government is taking concretesteps to determine how the attacks happened and the necessary actions tohelp move the political process forward. The Ambassador reports manyreligious leaders are committed to a unified Iraq, a peaceful Iraq. Theresponse by the Grand Ayatolla Sistani and many other leaders has beenconstructive and very important, and we appreciate their leadership. It'salso been a test for the Iraqi security forces. General Casey reports thatthey're doing a fine job of enforcing curfew and working to restore orderand calm.We can expect the days -- coming days will be intense.Iraq remains aserious situation. But I'm optimistic, because the Iraqi people havespoken, and the Iraqi people made their intentions clear. In December,more than 11 million Iraqis sent a clear message to the world and to theterrorists, they want their freedom. They want their country to be ademocracy. Each of these elections that took place last year saw largerand broader participation than the one that came before. And with theresults from the December elections, the Iraqi leaders are now working toform a new government under a new constitution with different factionscompeting for position and jockeying for power.Listen, the way ahead is going to require some patience as this processunfolds. The Iraqi constitution requires two-thirds of the parliament toform a government, which makes it harder to get agreement, but it helpsensure that all groups have a say in who governs them.The days ahead inIraq are going to be difficult and exhausting.We're likely to see a lotof political bargaining. That doesn't happen under dictatorships. Theyseem orderly, particularly when one man makes all the decisions, and thereis no need for negotiation or compromise.In democracies, different parties advance competing agendas, and they seektheir share of power. And yet they reach accommodation and respond to thewill of the people. And Iraqis are doing all this for the first time inthe midst of violence and terrorist attacks. Yet out of negotiations nowtaking place in Iraq, a free government will emerge that will represent thewill of the Iraqi people, instead of that of a cruel dictator, and thatwill help us keep the peace.We're encouraging Iraqi leaders to reach out across political, religious,and sectarian lines and form a government that gives a voice to all Iraqis. And when a new Iraqi government assumes office, Iraq's new leaders willface tough decisions on issues such as security and reconstruction andeconomic reform. This government will need to provide effective leadershipand earn the confidence of the Iraqi people by showing it can protect them. The government will also need to put a stop to human rights abuses bysecurity offices. By building free institutions and an inclusive societythat provides minority rights, Iraqi leaders will bring the nationtogether, and this will help to defeat the terrorists and the Saddamistswho are fighting Iraq's democratic progress.Some critics have pointed out that the free elections in the Middle Easthave put political power in the hands of Islamics and extremists, in thecase of the Palestinian elections, a notorious -- notorious terroristorganization. Critics argue that our policies of promoting democracy arebackfiring and destabilizing the region. I strongly disagree.First,their argument rests on the false assumption that the Middle East was abastion of stability before the United States came in and disturbed thestatus quo by promoting democracy.It was the status quo of the Middle East that led to the bombing of ourembassies in Kenya and Tanzania. It was the status quo in the Middle Eastthat led to the attack of the U.S. Cole that killed 17 American sailors. It was the status quo in the Middle East that produced 19 hijackers andtook planes and crashed them into the Pentagon and the World Trade Towers,and killed nearly 3,000 innocent people on September the 11th, 2001. Thestatus quo in the Middle East was dangerous and unacceptable, and oursecurity demanded that we change it.Secondly, the idea that lasting stability can be achieved by denying peoplea voice in the future control of their destiny is wrong. It is, in largepart, because people in the Middle East have been denied legitimate meansto express dissent that radical extremism has flourished. And it's only bygiving people in the Middle East the freedom to express their opinions andchoose their leaders that we will be able to defeat radical extremism. As liberty spreads in the broader Middle East, freedom will replace despair [sic] and hope. And over time the terrorist's temptation will fall away.Third, free societies do not take root overnight, especially in countriesthat have suffered from decades of tyranny and repression. It should comeas no surprise that after 60 years of Western nations excusing andaccommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East, civil society in thatregion is not strong and those with the most extreme views are the mostorganized.It will take time for the people of this region to build political partiesand movements that are moderate in their views and capable of competing ina free democratic system. Yet free elections cannot wait for perfectconditions. Free elections are instruments of change.By giving people anopportunity to organize, express their views, and change the existingorder, elections strengthen the forces of freedom and encourage citizens totake control of their own destiny.Finally, as democracy takes root, the responsibilities of governing willhave a moderating influence on those who assume power in free elections. It's easier to be a martyr than a mayor, or a cabinet minister. Whenyou're responsible for building roads and bridges and power stations andeducating people and providing help, you're less likely to blow up healthclinics and schools and bridges.In democracies, elected leaders must deliver real change in people's lives,or the voters will boot them out at the next election time. This is alesson that the leaders of Hamas will now have to learn, as they take powerafter their election victory in the Palestinian Territories. Hamascampaigned on a platform of fighting corruption and improving socialservices, and that is how a Hamas government will be judged by thePalestinian people. The leaders of Hamas have a choice to make. If theywant the help of America and the international community to build aprosperous, independent Palestinian state, they must recognize Israel,disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace. The internationalcommunity must continue to make clear to Hamas that democratically electedleaders cannot have one foot in the camp of democracy and one foot in thecamp of terror. (Applause.) The world is waiting to see what choice Hamasmakes.` The international community is also speaking with one voice to theradical regime in Tehran. Iran is a nation held hostage by a smallclerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people, and denyingthem basic liberties and human rights.The Iranian regime sponsorsterrorists and is actively working to expand its influence in the region. The Iranian regime has advocated the destruction of our ally, Israel. Andthe Iranian regime is defying the world with its ambitions for nuclearweapons.America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats, andIran's aggressive behavior and pursuit of nuclear weapons is increasing itsinternational isolation. When Iran's case was brought before the IAEAearlier this month, 27 nations voted against Iran, including Russia andChina and India and Brazil and Sri Lanka and Egypt and Yemen. The onlynations to support Iran were Syria, Cuba, and Venezuela. Now Iran's casewill be taken up to the U.N. Security Council.The free world is sendingthe regime in Tehran a clear message: We're not going to allow Iran tohave nuclear weapons.The world's free nations are also worried because the Iranian regime is nottransparent. You see, a non-transparent society that is the world'spremier state sponsor of terror cannot be allowed to possess the world'smost dangerous weapons. So, as we confront Iran's nuclear weaponsambitions, we're also reaching out to the Iranian people to support theirdesire to be free; to build a free, democratic, and transparent society.To support the Iranian people's efforts to win their own freedom, myadministration is requesting $75 million in emergency funds to supportdemocracy in Iran. This is more than a fourfold increase over currentlevels of funding. These new funds will allow us to expand radio andtelevision broadcasts into Iran. They will support reformers anddissidents and human rights activists and civil society organizers in Iran,so Iranians can organize and challenge the repressive policies of theclerical regime. They will support student exchanges, so we can buildbridges of understanding between our people and expose more Iranians tolife in a free society.By supporting democratic change in Iran, we will hasten the day when thepeople of Iran can determine their own future and be free to choose theirown leaders. Freedom in the Middle East requires freedom for the Iranianpeople, and America looks forward to the day when our nation can be theclosest of friends with a free and democratic Iran. (Applause.)Freedom is on the march in the broader Middle East. The hope of libertynow reaches from Kabul to Baghdad, to Beirut, and beyond. Slowly butsurely, we're helping to transform the broader Middle East from an arc ofinstability into an arc of freedom. And as freedom reaches more people inthis vital region, we'll have new allies in the war on terror, and newpartners in the cause of moderation in the Muslim world and in the cause ofpeace.Bringing greater freedom to nations in the Middle East is the work ofgenerations and the advance of liberty still faces determined enemies.Theterrorists know the stakes in the struggle. They know that as more peoplein the region embrace freedom, they will lose their safe havens, lose theirrecruits, and lose the sources of funding they need to advance theirhateful ideology. And so they'll continue to fight freedom's progress withall the murderous hatred they can muster. They will continue to createimages of violence and suffering for the cameras. The terrorists know thatthe only way they can defeat us is to break our will and force our retreat. And that's not going to happen so long as I'm the President of the UnitedStates. (Applause.)We will stay on the offense. We will continue to hunt down the terrorists,wherever they hide. We'll continue to stand with people of the Middle Eastas they step forward to claim their freedom. We can be confident in ourcause because we have seen freedom conquer tyranny and secure the peacebefore. We've seen freedom arrive on waves of unstoppable progress tonations in Latin America and Asia and Africa and Eastern Europe. And nowthe hope of freedom is stirring in the Middle East, and no one should betagainst it.We can also have confidence in our cause -- we have the greatest force forfreedom in the history of the world on our side, the men and women of theUnited States Armed Forces. (Applause.) They are serving with courage anddistinction on many fronts in the war on terror. And I know America'sveterans feel a special bond with them as they defend freedom in foreignlands.In this war, we've lost some really good men and women who left our shoresto defend liberty and did not live to make the journey home. Others havereturned from war with wounds the best medicine cannot heal. As veterans,you've lost friends and comrades in the field of battle, and you understandthe sadness that has come to some of our nation's military families. Wepray for the families of the fallen, and we honor the memory of all whohave given their lives in freedom's cause. And we will honor that memoryby defeating the terrorists, and spreading liberty, and laying thefoundation of peace for generations to come. (Applause.)I appreciate the Legion's support for our troops in the fight.Iappreciate the example you have set for those who wear the uniform today.Before Veterans Day a few years ago, a group of soldiers serving in Iraqsent a letter to the American Legion Headquarters here in Washington. Theywrote, "Veterans of past wars will forever be in our hearts as Americanheroes. Their sacrifices give us courage, and their devotion reminds us ofwhat we are fighting for." Our men and women on the front lines are takinginspiration from the valor and courage that you've shown on the field ofbattle. When they face dark moments in the thick of the fight, theyremember that you faced enemies as brutal and determined as those whothreaten America today, and they remember how you prevailed. And nowthey're picking up your mantle and carrying on your fight. And like ourveterans, they're bringing security to our citizens, and freedom to theworld.Thank you for your idealism. I thank you for your dedication to God andcountry. May God bless our veterans. may God bless our troops in uniform. And may God continue to bless our country. (Applause.)END 10:45 A.M. EST Printer-Friendly Version Email this page to a friend IssuesBudget Management
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