By Combined Joint Task Force- 101
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – President George W. Bush paid a visit to the service members of Combined Joint Task Force-101 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 15 during his last visit as president of the United States.
"I'm proud to be back in Afghanistan," Bush said during his visit. "I am proud to be with brave souls serving the United States of America."
Bush expressed his well wishes to the troops during the holidays and thanked them for their service in eastern Afghanistan.
"It was here in Afghanistan that the terrorists planned the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001," Bush said. "After that date, America gave the Taliban a choice: you can turn over the leaders of Al Qaida – or you can share in their fate. And when they refused, our just demands were enforced by the United States military."
"Because of you, killers who wanted to take the lives of Americans back home have been brought to justice before they reached our shores," he said to the troops.