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Toughest steps in anti-terror mission lie ahead, he tells soldiers
11/22/2001
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – President Bush, visiting with troops before
Thanksgiving, told cheering soldiers Wednesday that the war in Afghanistan
is going well but "the most difficult steps in this mission still lie
ahead." He said it will take time to find terrorists in caves and deal
with fanatics who will fight to the death.
Mr. Bush traveled to Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division,
for an early Thanksgiving meal with 150 troops in the base mess hall.
Clad in a brown flight jacket, the president also gave an update on the
military campaign in Afghanistan to a crowd of 15,000 soldiers in
camouflage fatigues and red, green, or black berets.
"We cannot know every turn this war will take, but I'm confident of the
outcome," Mr. Bush said. "I believe in the strong resolve of the
American people. I believe good triumphs over evil. And I believe in the
fearless hearts of the United States military."
The president pledged to persevere against the al-Qaeda network,
suspected of orchestrating the Sept. 11 attacks, and the Taliban, which
have sheltered Osama bin Laden and his followers.
So far, Mr. Bush said, 27 of 30 Afghan provinces have been taken from
Taliban control.
But that is just a start, he cautioned; U.S. forces have yet to approach
Afghanistan's rugged mountains, where Taliban fighters can hunker down
in caves.
"The enemy hopes they can hide until we tire. But we're going to prove
them wrong. We will never tire, and we will hunt them down," Mr. Bush
said.
His speech drew whoops and raised fists from the crowd, made up of the
101st, a rapid-deployment air assault division; the 160th Special
Operations Aviation Regiment, and the 5th Special Forces Group. Mr. Bush
beamed as they chanted in unison, "USA!" and their rallying cry, "Air
assault!" Black Hawk helicopters buzzed the field.
Before the rally, Mr. Bush and first lady Laura Bush joined soldiers for
dinner. The president took a tray and joined the chow line, emerging
with a plate of turkey, green beans, macaroni and, in a separate bowl,
grapes.
Then, Mr. Bush handed his tray to a soldier and took her post at the
carving station. He sliced away hunks of turkey breast for a few
soldiers, waving the knife to keep the line moving.
He reclaimed his tray and, after rubbing the buzz cut on Sgt. Chris
Lewis' head, took a seat between Spc. Steven Chapman of Bismarck, Ark.,
and Sgt. Robert Batts of Hooks, Texas.
After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Bush left for the Camp David retreat in
Maryland, where they will spend the weekend.