Remarks Upon Receiving the American Legion Auxiliary Woman of the Year Award
Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Salt Palace Convention Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
August 29, 2006
Thank you. Thank you very much, Carol, for those generous remarks and I'd like to thank all of the women of the American
Legion Auxiliary for this award. I want to thank the Chaplain, too, for her gracious prayers. And so many times, as I go
across the country, people tell me and they tell the President that they are remembering us in their prayers. There is
nothing more important. Thank you, thank you all for those prayers.
(Applause.)
I would also like to thank Auxiliary National Vice President JoAnn Cronin, as well as all of the other officers and
members of this amazing organization. Thank you for having me here. It is indeed an honor to receive an award from this
group, this group that serves as the largest patriotic women's service organization in the world.
(Applause.)
Now, I may have just received your Woman of the Year Award and I'm very grateful, but I have to tell you that I feel as
though I'm in good company, because the women of this organization are the Women of our Times -- for your service, for
your patriotism, and for your dedication to veterans' and their organizations.
When we think about the power of women, the American Legion Auxiliary exhibits just what can be accomplished when
like-minded women work together. Only a group of strong, public-spirited women could take bright red crepe paper and
turn it not just into a flower and a fundraiser, but also turn it into a symbol of the sacrifices being made by the men
and women of our armed forces.
Only a group of strong, public-spirited women could step in to fill the gap for the thousands of families whose loved
ones are bravely serving overseas and to create the Family Support Network as a hotline that families can call for help.
Only a group of strong, public-spirited women would say we are going to continue to fight to protect America's flag,
because desecrating our nation's symbol -- (Applause) -- desecrating our nation's symbol of freedom and democracy should
be against the law. (Applause.)
And only a group of strong, public-spirited women would finish taking care of their own families and still find the time
to volunteer at the local veterans' hospitals and even assist homeless veterans in getting the help they need. This
organization has a record of service that speaks to your commitment to veterans and your love and concern for our
country.
And before I close, I want to say one final thing about our current struggle to protect America and Americans from the
threat of terrorism. As you know, our troops are bravely waging the global war on terror. They are helping countries
like Afghanistan and Iraq rid their nations of terrorists. They are literally bringing terrorists to justice and, when
necessary, bringing justice to terrorists.
The work that our troops are doing is so important and we are forever mindful of that as we come upon the fifth
anniversary of September 11th, when thousands of innocent Americans died. That day forever changed our nation and it
showed us that in the global war on terror we must stand strong. We must stand firm. And we must be forever resolved to
root out terrorism and protect the safety and security of America's families and America's way of life.
(Applause.)
This will be a long and a hard struggle and your organization's support is needed now more than ever for our troops, for
their families, and for our veterans as they return home. So I want to encourage you to continue the amazing work that
you do. The American Legion Auxiliary has an important role to play in this global war on terror for our nation and I am
so proud and so honored that you have honored me.
I want to thank you for that honor and I want to thank you on behalf of all Americans for your service to our veterans
and our communities. God bless you.
(Applause.)
2006/T21-1
Released on August 29, 2006
ENDS