The White House, President George W. Bush Click to print this document

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 20, 2007

President Bush Visits Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington, D.C.

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4:14 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for joining me. I've just come down from a tour of a couple of the wards up there here at Walter Reed. First, I'm inspired by the quality of health care. Americans may wonder whether or not our troops are getting the best possible health care, and they are. They're not only getting great care from good docs and nurses, they're getting a lot of compassion and a lot of love up in the wards. And so I want to thank you all. General, thank you very much for taking the lead.

President George W. Bush addresses the media Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, after visiting with wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian This past month is the lowest number of patients being admitted here since '02, and that's good news. It's good news for families who worry about their loved ones in harm's way, and it's good news for the staff here, who would like nothing more to be -- to have nobody come in here. Every time I come to a facility like this I count my blessings -- and one of the great blessings is to be the President of a country that produces such brave men and women.

And so as we head into the holiday season I ask for the good Lord's blessing on those in harm's way and their families. And I thank you again, General, for your hospitality. I appreciate you having me. Thank you.

END 4:16 P.M. EST


President George W. Bush visits with U.S. Army Sgt. John Wayne Cornell of Lansing, Mich., after presenting him with a Purple Heart Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, during a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he is recovering from injuries suffered in Operation Iraqi Freedom. With them are Sgt. Cornell's wife, Dee, and mother-in-law Diane Elaine Galloway. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush presents the Purple Heart to U.S. Army Spc. John C. Hoxie of Philippi, W.Va., during a visit Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where the soldier is recovering from injuries suffered in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Looking on is the soldier's father, David Hoxie. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush shakes the hand of U.S. Army PFC Demario Hicks of Fort Stewart, Ga., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, after presenting him with a Purple Heart during his visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where the soldier is recovering from injuries suffered in Operation Iraqi Freedom. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush presents the Purple Heart medal to US Army PFC Jeddah DeLoria of Chosen, Colo., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. DeLoria is recovering from injuries sustained in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian


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