Bush Tells Troops He Believes in their 'Fearless Hearts'

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

11.20.2001

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

President Bush told the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., that he can't tell what course the war against terrorism may take, but he is sure of the outcome.

"I believe in the fearless hearts of the United States military," Bush told the soldiers.

Bush was greeted with chants of "USA" and "Hooahs" and cries of "Air Assault" interrupted his speech. He said the United States has made a good start in the war of terrorism. He said 27 of 30 Afghan provinces are no longer under Taliban control, and opposition groups, aided by U.S. special operations forces have cut Taliban lines of communications. "They are on the run," the president said. But much remains to be done.

He told the soldiers the war in Afghanistan is entering its most difficult phase. He said Al Qaeda and the Taliban have taken refuge in sophisticated cave complexes located in some of the most mountainous and rugged territory on Earth. "The complexes are heavily fortified and defended by fanatics who will fight to the death," he said. "Success against these cells may come more slowly."

But, he said, the United States will prevail. "Our enemy hopes to hide until we tire," Bush said. "But we're going to prove them wrong. We will never tire, and we will hunt them down."

Bush said the American military is delivering America's message to countries across the globe. "We fight the terrorist and we fight all of those who give them aid," he said. "If you harbor terrorists, you are a terrorist. If you train or arm a terrorist, you are a terrorist. If you feed or fund a terrorist, you are a terrorist and you will be held accountable by the United States and our friends."

Bush, who was accompanied by his wife Laura, also thanked military families for their sacrifices. "Some of you have loved ones that are deployed - or will soon be deployed - far from home in a war against terror and evil," he said. "Our nation and the world are counting on your loved ones. They are making us secure and they are making us proud."

Bush told the soldiers that Afghanistan is just the beginning of the war against terrorism. He said there are other terrorist organizations that threaten America and its allies and there are other nations willing to sponsor these groups. "We will not be secure as a nation until all these threats are defeated," he said. "Across the world and across the years we will fight these evil ones, and we will win."

Story by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

• Date Taken: 11.20.2001
• Date Posted: 07.03.2025 23:30
• Story ID: 526882
• Location: WASHINGTON, US