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Skriven 2005-02-22 23:32:54 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0502224) for Tue, 2005 Feb 22
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Remarks by First Lady Laura Bush to Students and Faculty in Germany
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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
February 22, 2005

Remarks by First Lady Laura Bush to Students and Faculty in Germany
General H.H. Arnold High School
Wiesbaden, Germany



4:13 P.M. (Local)

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much. Chico, thank you for your very kind
introduction and for your great work as student council president -- Mr.
President. (Laughter.)

Thank you all for your warm welcome to the home of the Warriors. I should
say, the home of the football champions. (Applause.) Congratulations on
your win. Principal Goldman told me that the Lions didn't have a chance.
(Applause.)

Thanks to the students of the H.H. Arnold Air Force Color Guard. DeAnna,
Danielle and Lilah deserve another round of applause for their beautiful
singing. (Applause.) Special thanks to Principal Goldman and to all the
teachers for your commitment to these children. Thank you also to the men
and women of the United States military and the military families here for
your dedication to our country.

Although you're serving far from home, millions of Americans are thinking
of you every day, and I'm happy to express the gratitude of our entire
nation and to convey the personal regards of our Commander-in-Chief,
President Bush. On behalf of my husband and all Americans, we want you and
all the men and women who are serving around the world to know that we
support you, we believe in you and we're proud of you.

People across the country have witnessed the braveness and the courage of
your parents. We've seen the kindness, especially to the people of
Afghanistan and Iraq. In these two countries, your parents have helped to
free millions of families and children from decades of tyranny. Your
parents have given children the chance to grow up in peace, and I know that
you're proud of your parents, just as every American is grateful for their
service.

I'm also proud of you. You don't fly jets, or wear uniforms -- but as the
children of our military, you serve, too. The courage with which you do so
is an inspiration to all of us. You face the challenges of moving to new
bases, new schools, even new countries, and you have to learn new languages
-- and a few of you even have to take Frau Pow's class. (Laughter and
applause.) In each new post, you have to make new friends, and the hardest
part, though, is you have to worry about your mom or dad. You have an
amazing resiliency to adapt to new situations, friends and cultures.
Cherish these experiences; they make you who you are and they'll help you
throughout your life.

You also have something that some young people don't: You have incredible
role models. As they fight terror or advance freedom, your parents are also
changing people's lives. Your moms and dads are supplying whole villages
with their first taste of clean water. They're delivering medicine to sick
children and supplies to hospitals. They're rebuilding libraries and
schools, so that millions of children can study and learn. In fact, thanks
to your parents, little girls who were not allowed to be educated at all
are going to school for the first time in their lives. (Applause.)

In communities across America, military families are gathering up winter
coats, school supplies and books for children around the world. For all of
our military men and women, compassion is not simply a part of their
mission, it's also a part of their character. And each of you has the same
capacity for kindness. The fact that you raised more than $3,000 to help
the victims of the tsunami disaster is a testament to your character. Like
your parents, make public service a priority throughout your lives, and
reach out to those most in need. And don't forget about helping out at
home. I know that many of you do help by doing the laundry or babysitting
your brothers and sisters or making dinner. Your support gives comfort to
your parents at home, and then it also gives comfort to your parents if
they're deployed. And your determination to make a home for your family
wherever you are matches your parents' devotion to duty.

I know it can be really annoying when your parents are always telling you
what to do, but as the mother of two daughters, I can tell you it's not
always easy for us, either. You have a way of making a point even when you
don't feel like talking. Parents know they're not always right; but your
parents love you and you can show your love to them by respecting them.
Someday soon, you'll venture out into the world with skills and values that
they taught you.

For the seniors here, someday soon is right around the corner. Some of you,
like Lauren O'Gara, may come home to America to go to college. Some of you
may get a job and go to work right away. And some of you may join the
military, like Paul Frye, who was accepted to the Air Force Academy and
West Point. (Applause.)

Wherever you go in life, there are a few things I hope you'll always
remember. First, treasure your education. Remember that education is
freedom and it never ends. So strive to learn every day. I encourage you to
learn from your mistakes. Mistakes make life interesting, while learning
from your mistakes makes life meaningful. Read more than Cliffs Notes --
(laughter) -- buy a bookcase and fill it with classics, and read them. And,
finally, remember to appreciate the little things in life -- and especially
the people in your life. Say "I love you" to someone every day, especially
to yourself.

I've visited with military children and families around the world, and I'm
in awe of your courage and your resiliency. Next time you email your mom
and dad, tell them how much President Bush and I appreciate their courage
and their dedication.

And there is one more important bit of advice I forgot to mention, and this
is especially important for the lower class men: Whatever you do, don't
walk on the Crest. (Laughter and applause.)

Thank you all, each one of you, for everything you do to support your
families and your country. Keep studying, and help your parents. And may
God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END 4:22 P.M. (Local)

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