Morgantown, W.Va. – President Bush used his annual Independence Day speech to pay homage to America’s fighting men and women and to urge the nation to remain firmly behind the effort in Iraq.
In an appearance at West Virginia University, he acknowledged that continued violence in Iraq has been “hard for a compassionate nation to watch.”
But he compared today’s hardships to those faced by Americans of past generations, including those who declared the country independent and fought the Revolutionary War 229 years ago.
“During that hot summer in Philadelphia more than 200 years ago, from our desperate fight for independence to the darkest days of a civil war, to the hard-fought battles of the 20th century, there were many chances to lose our heart, our nerve or our way,” he said. “But Americans have always held firm, because we have always believed in certain truths: We know that the freedom we defend is meant for all men and women, and for all times.”
Bush spoke to an outdoor audience of about 2,000 ticket- holders. Outside the event area, a knot of protesters gathered, carrying signs reading “Bush Lied” and chanting “We support our troops, not the president” and “Peace is patriotic.”
More than 870 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq since the president’s last Fourth of July address, and recent polls have shown weakening public support for the war. As a result, White House aides have said, Bush has concluded he must do more to refocus the nation’s attention on the mission and its stakes.
Repeating themes he struck last week in a nationally televised speech at Fort Bragg, N.C., Bush argued that Iraq has become a main arena in the larger battle against terrorism.
“We’re taking the fight to the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them here at home,” he said.
Bush said Americans will stay in Iraq until the country’s security forces are capable of defending the nation.
“Our strategy can be summed up this way: As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down, and then our troops can come home to a proud and grateful nation,” he said.
