Military

We will begin to transfer our lead responsibility to Afghan counterparts.

And we say a special thanks for the sacrifices those men and women in uniform are making for our safety and freedom.

We keep in our thoughts and prayers the many families marking this Thanksgiving with an empty seat saved for a son or daughter, a husband or wife stationed in harm's way.

I'm most going to miss being the Commander in Chief.

I want to thank General Alexander for his hospitality to me and the Vice President and Director McConnell.

I thank you for honoring our troops.

I want to thank your family as well as all the other families who are standing by the—those who wear the uniform, as this Nation continues to defend her own security and defend young democracies.

The USO has formed a warm and loving bond with the men and women who wear our uniform.

On this occasion, we pay special tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces.

They volunteered to deploy in distant lands, far from their families, far from their homes, and far from comfort of America.

We owe a debt of gratitude to our Nation's military families.

This legislation will make it easier for our troops to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses and children.

Before they leave, the Congress needs to pass an emergency war funding bill so that our troops on the frontlines have the tools they need to protect themselves and us.

This legislation gives our troops the funds they need to prevail without tying the hands of our commanders in the field or imposing artificial timetables for withdrawal.

We pray for the safe return of all those serving overseas.

I will strongly reject an artificial timetable withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job.

I will do everything I can to get as many of our troops out as quickly as possible...

Our troops deserve the full support of Congress, and that means giving our troops the funding they need to successfully carry out their mission.