Oct. 22 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007

Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Free- needed services. For example, the request dom, and selected other international activi- funds the development of a sustainable ties. These funds will support U.S. efforts medical and rehabilitation system to prop- to improve stability in these regions. This erly care for our wounded warriors. The request is also consistent with the assess- request also funds enhanced support for ments provided by General David Petraeus servicemembers and their families to miti- and Ambassador Ryan Crocker last month gate the effect of repeated and continued and my Iraq Benchmark Assessment Re- deployments of the all-volunteer force. port, as it contains funds to maintain the These amendments include funding for current pace of operations into FY 2008 urgent and unanticipated international pro- and takes into account plans to redeploy grams, including support for extraordinary five Army brigades by next summer, should security and operating costs associated with conditions on the ground permit. U.S. diplomatic activity in Iraq and Afghan- This request includes funds to improve istan, for assistance to internally displaced the protection of our forces by procuring persons in Iraq and Iraqi refugees, and to additional Mine Resistant Ambush Pro- help create political and economic stability tected vehicles, which have proved highly in . effective in countering improvised explosive I hereby designate the specific proposals devices. It also supports pre-deployment in the amounts requested herein as emer- training for ground forces; supports the re- gency requirements. This request rep- pair, replacement, or supplement of equip- resents urgent and essential requirements ment worn out or lost in military oper- and I encourage you to take up this FY ations; upgrades equipment based on les- 2008 funding as soon as possible. The de- sons learned to date; replenishes depleted tails of the request are set forth in the prepositioned stocks; and fills shortages in enclosed letter from the Director of the non-deployed units caused by the creation Office of Management and Budget. of equipment pools in theater. Sincerely, In addition, it helps support our military and their families by funding a range of GEORGE W. BUSH

Remarks on Presenting Posthumously the Congressional Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy October 22, 2007

Please be seated. Good afternoon, and have made the ultimate sacrifice. Deep in welcome to the White House. The Medal the mountains of Afghanistan, this brave of Honor is the highest military decoration officer gave his life in defense of his fellow that a President can bestow. It recognizes Navy SEALs. Two years later, the story of gallantry that goes above and beyond the his sacrifice humbles and inspires all who call of duty in the face of an enemy attack. hear it. And by presenting Michael Mur- The tradition of awarding this honor began phy’s family with the Medal of Honor that during the Civil War. And many of those he earned, a grateful nation remembers the who have received the medal have given courage of this proud Navy SEAL. their lives in the action that earned it. I welcome the Vice President; Senator Today we add Lieutenant Michael Mur- Ted Stevens; Senator Chuck Schumer, from phy’s name to the list of recipients who

1368

15 2010 09:21 Jan 25, 2011 Jkt 214670 PO 00000 Frm 00466 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\214670.016 214670 Administration of George W. Bush, 2007 / Oct. 22

Lieutenant Murphy’s home State. I appre- could not defend themselves. Well, Michael ciate very much the fact that Congressman took these lessons to heart. One day in Tim Bishop, from Lieutenant Murphy’s dis- school, he got into a scuffle sticking up trict, is with us today. Welcome. Thank you for a student with a disability. It’s the only all for coming. time his parents ever got a phone call from I appreciate the fact that Deputy Sec- the principal, and they couldn’t have been retary Gordon England has joined us; Sec- prouder. Michael’s passion for helping oth- retary Pete Geren of the Army; Secretary ers led him to become a caring brother, Don Winter of the Navy; Secretary Mike a tutor, a lifeguard, and eventually, a mem- Wynne of the Air Force; Admiral Mike ber of the United States Armed Forces. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; Ad- Michael’s decision to join the military miral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Oper- wasn’t an easy one for his family. As a ations; and all who wear the Nation’s uni- recipient during Vietnam, Mi- form. Welcome. chael’s father understood the sacrifices that I appreciate the fact that we’ve got Bar- accompany a life of service. He also under- ney Barnum, Tom Kelley, Tommy Norris, stood that his son was prepared to make and Mike Thornton, Medal of Honor re- these sacrifices. After graduating from Penn cipients, with us today. State with honors, Michael accepted a com- We do welcome Dan Murphy and mission in the Navy and later set off for Maureen Murphy, father and mother of SEAL training. Fewer than a third of those Michael Murphy, John Murphy, his broth- who begin this intense training program er, and other family members that are with graduate to become Navy SEALs. Yet there us today. was little doubt about the determined lieu- It’s my honor to welcome all the friends tenant from New York. And in 2002, Mi- and comrades of Lieutenant Michael Mur- chael earned his Navy SEAL Trident. phy here to the White House. And I want Michael also earned the respect of his to thank Chaplain Bob Burt, Chief of men. They remember a wise-cracking Chaplains, for his opening prayer. friend who went by ‘‘Mikey’’ or ‘‘Murph.’’ Looking back on his childhood in They remember a patriot who wore a New Patchogue, New York, you might say that York City firehouse patch on his uniform Michael Murphy was born to be a Navy in honor of the heroes of 9/11. And they SEAL. SEALs get their name from oper- remember an officer who respected their ating by sea, air, and land, and even as opinions and led them with an understated, a toddler, Michael could find his way yet unmistakable sense of command. To- through any obstacle. When he was just gether, Michael and his fellow SEALs de- 18 months old, he darted across a neigh- ployed multiple times around the world in bor’s yard and dove into the swimming the war against the extremists and radicals. pool. By the time his frantic parents And while their missions were often carried reached him, Michael had swum to the out in secrecy, their love of country and other side with a big smile on his face. devotion to each other was always clear. As he grew older, Michael learned to swim On June 28th, 2005, Michael would give from one side of a nearby lake to the other, his life for these ideals. While conducting and he developed into a talented all-around surveillance on a mountain ridge in Afghan- athlete. istan, he and three fellow SEALs were sur- But beyond his physical strength, Mi- rounded by a much larger enemy force. chael Murphy was blessed with a powerful Their only escape was down the side of sense of right and wrong. This sense came a mountain, and the SEALs launched a val- from devoted parents who taught him to iant counterattack while cascading from love his neighbor and defend those who cliff to cliff. But as the enemy closed in,

1369

15 2010 09:21 Jan 25, 2011 Jkt 214670 PO 00000 Frm 00467 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\214670.016 214670 Oct. 22 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007

Michael recognized that the survival of his almost unbelievable courage in the face of men depended on calling back to the base the enemy.’’ for reinforcements. With complete dis- For his courage, we award Lieutenant regard for his own life, he moved into a Michael Murphy the first Medal of Honor clearing where his phone would get recep- for combat in Afghanistan. And with this tion. He made the call, and Michael then medal, we acknowledge a debt that will fell under heavy fire. Yet his grace and not diminish with time and can never be upbringing never deserted him. Though se- repaid. verely wounded, he said thank you before Our Nation is blessed to have volunteers hanging up and returned to the fight before like Michael who risk their lives for our losing his life. freedom. We’re blessed to have mothers Unfortunately, the helicopter carrying the and fathers like Maureen and Dan Murphy reinforcements never reached the scene. It who raise sons of such character and cour- crashed after being struck by a rocket-pro- age. And we’re blessed with the mercy of pelled grenade. And in the end, more a loving God who comforts all those who Americans died in Afghanistan on June grieve. 28th, 2005, than on any other day since And now I ask Michael’s parents to join the beginning of Operation Enduring Free- me on stage, and the military aide will read dom. This day of tragedy also has the sad the citation. distinction of being the deadliest for Navy Special Warfare forces since World War II. One of Michael’s fellow SEALs did make NOTE: The President spoke at 2:24 p.m. in it off the mountain ridge. He was one of the East Room at the White House. In his Michael’s closest friends. Petty Officer remarks, he referred to Rear Adm. Robert Marcus Luttrell of , author of a riv- F. Burt, USN, Chief of Navy Chaplains. Fol- eting book called ‘‘,’’ put it lowing the President’s remarks, Maj. Mark this way: ‘‘Mikey was the best officer I ever Thompson, USMC, Marine Corps Aide to knew, an iron-souled warrior of colossal and the President, read the citation.

Remarks at the National Defense University October 23, 2007

Thank you all. Please be seated. Thanks ers who despise freedom, reject tolerance, for the warm welcome. Madam President— and kill the innocent in pursuit of their [laughter]—thank you for that kind intro- political vision. Many of you have met this duction. Thank you for welcoming me back enemy on the battlefields of Afghanistan to the National Defense University. I really and Iraq; you have served with valor in enjoy coming here. After all, this is a great the defense of our country. Students here American institution that has educated our at NDU have earned 3 Purple Hearts and Nation’s top military leaders and national more than 90 Bronze Stars since the war security thinkers for more than a century. on terror began. All of you who wear the Today, you’re training the next genera- uniform are helping to protect this country, tion of leaders to prevail in the great ideo- and the United States of America is grate- logical struggle of our time: the global war ful for your service. on terror. We’re at war with a brutal In this war, we’re on the offense against enemy. We’re at war with coldblooded kill- the enemy, and that’s the only way to be.

1370

15 2010 09:21 Jan 25, 2011 Jkt 214670 PO 00000 Frm 00468 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\214670.016 214670