Secretary of State Rice thanks Camp Pendleton Marines

CAMP PENDLETON — Arriving together by Air Force jetliner at Camp Pendleton May 23, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her counterpart from Australia, Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, addressed a contingent of approximately 50 Marines from the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267. Their message: “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Rice said she was expressing her appreciation on behalf of the President of the United States and on behalf of our grateful nation. “Americans of every political stripe stand by the armed services,” she said.

Her visit was part of a two-day swing through California beginning with a visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and ending with a visit to Hewlett-Packard in Palo Alto and a school in Menlo Park.

Not since 2004, when President Bush and Vice President Dick Chaney visited, had Camp Pendleton received such a high profile government visitor. Security was high, with Secret Service agents combing the area and a bomb-sniffing dog checking out a multitude of media representatives and their equipment.

Sharing the podium at the helicopter hangar with Rice, Foreign Affairs Minister Downer also spoke to the Marines, at least a couple of which were there from Australia on a joint training mission. “We have our differences with America, but America is enormously generous,” he said. “Whatever our differences, America is a great force in the world and is making enormous sacrifices.”

Downer thanked the Marines for their service and noted, “Some people hope for a quick solution and to defeat evil without pain, but anti-democratic forces will not lay down and just vaporize. That’s just wishful thinking. All the great struggles in history have been tough and the sacrifices have been substantial.”

Rice appeared relaxed and confident as she spoke to the men and women assembled at the hangar. “During these times it is sometimes hard to wonder if we’re having the success that we should be having,” she said, “but just remember that history has a long tale, not a short one.

“We’re in a generational struggle – a struggle that began when the suicide attackers flew into our buildings in New York on 9/11. It’s going to be a struggle that will long outlast all of us. But it’s a struggle that if we do our part now, here on the front lines of freedom, we’re going to win.”

Rice noted that just as Marines have answered the nation’s call, Australia has answered the call to stand against global terrorism. “Whenever we’ve had to defend freedom, Australia has been by our side,” she stated.

Public comments were brief and the media was not permitted to interview either speaker. After shaking hands with the Marines and making their formal presentations, Rice and Downer were escorted by Lt. General James Mattis, Commander of Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, as they toured other training facilities on the base.

The Marines who got to meet Rice seemed genuinely impressed with her appearance at Camp Pendleton. One such individual was Sgt. Karen Quiles, adjutant chief with Marine Aircraft Group 39.

“It completely amazes me how a person of her stature and her level has come down to visit us with such great interest in what we do,” said Sgt. Quiles. “She reminded us of why we are here and what we are doing and how important it is. A simple ‘thank you’ means a lot.”