Bush Visits Bagram, Bids Farewell to US Troops in Afghanistan

President George W. Bush waves to military members Dec. 15 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. After giving his speech, he took time to shake hands and individually thank troops for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse.)

News in Balance:

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2008 -- President George W. Bush visited Combined Joint Task Force-101 servicemembers Dec. 15 at Bagram Airfield.

"I am proud to be with brave souls serving the United States of America," President Bush said.

The president expressed his well wishes to the troops during the holidays and thanked them for their service in eastern Afghanistan.

"It was here in Afghanistan that the terrorists planned the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001," he said. "After that date, America gave the Taliban a choice: you can turn over the leaders of al-Qaida -- or you can share in their fate. And when they refused, our just demands were enforced by the United States military."

"Because of you, killers who wanted to take the lives of Americans back home have been brought to justice before they reached our shores," he said to the troops.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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