"[Americans] Stand In Total Admiration"

It's a privilege to be here, to stand on the ground of the world's newest democracy….

…In the war on terror, we face a loose network of committed fanatics found in many countries and operating under different commanders, yet the branches of this network share the same basic ideology, and the same dark vision. Their goal in this region is to gain control of a country, to target and overthrow other governments in the area, and to establish a radical Islamic empire that encompasses the Middle East and places far beyond.

… The terrorists understand what is at stake in Iraq. That is why they commit acts of random war calculated to shock and intimidate the civilized world -- beheading bound men, murdering mothers and children, killing innocent Iraqis at police stations, mosques, buses, restaurants, stores, and on street corners.

… Every American serving in this war can be absolutely certain the people of the United States are behind you.

… Freedom has determined enemies in Iraq, and your job is to make those enemies miserable. And you know exactly how to do it.

… We have an air arm with attack, transport and re-supply units, attack jets, re-fuelers, all working constantly in support of the ground. We've got major supply runs going night and day across an area of operations the size of Utah.

… our whole country is filled with respect and with gratitude. … They stand in total admiration….

Remarks by the Vice President at a Rally for the Troops, Al-Asad Air Base, Iraq, 12/18/05.