10/01/2004
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"Since 2001, the President's budgets have provided an increase in basic pay for men and women in uniform by almost 21 percent."
"We will stay until the job is completed."
"America thanks you for your service."
"To make sure my administration fulfills the commitments I have made to America's veterans, I selected one of the finest men ever to serve as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs."