Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 105-006
Date: Thursday, September 21, 1972 at 12:00 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Beall, George; Thurmond, Strom; Price, Melvin; Fisher, O. Clark; Bennett, Charles E.; Stratton, Samuel S.; Pike, Otis G.; Ichord, Richard H.; Hagan, G. Elliott; Wilson, Charles H.; Hicks, Louise Day; White, Richard C.; Nichols, William F. ("Bob"); Brinkley, Jack T.; Daniel, Wilbur C. ("Dan"); Montgomery, Gillespie V. ("Sonny"); Runnels, Harold L.; Arends, Leslie C.; Bray, William G.; Wilson, Robert C. ("Bob"); Gubser, Charles S.; Hall, Durward G.; Clancy, Donald D.; King, Carleton J.; Dickinson, William L.; Hunt, John E.; Whitehurst, G. William; Spence, Floyd D.; Young, C. W. ("Bill"); Powell, Walter E.; Conover, William; Aspin, Leslie ("Les"), Jr.; Laird, Melvin R.; Slatinshek, Frank M.; Sanson, Joseph N.; Nickerson, Herman, Jr. (Lt. Gen.); Morris, Thomas E.; Carr, Patrick E.; Nolan, Robert W.; Ostrow, Martin M.; Matthews, Joseph J.; Beave, [First name unknown]; Nidecker, John E.; White House photographer
Recording device: Cabinet Room
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/105-006

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[2:26:11] In addition to that, it affects the families and the lives of the men and women of the military service that are currently serving in Iraq.
[2:26:38] They have an opportunity to be treated as other civilian workers.
[2:26:43] The government has been treated, members of the Foreign Service have been treated for many years.
[2:26:51] For 25 years, the House and Senate Armed Services Committee has been considering legislation along this line.
[2:26:58] And it was through the efforts of the House and Senate Committees and the bipartisan support
[2:27:06] on the floor of the House and the Senate that this legislation is a reality today.
[2:27:12] And I'd like to express the appreciation not only of our Commander-in-Chief, but of those of us in the Defense Department who are working for an all-volunteer force, for our Army, Air Force, our Navy, and our Marine Corps.
[2:27:28] These military men are involved in a very real sense, in a different way because of their separation from their families during their careers in military service.
[2:27:43] And this means a great deal to them because of the support of their families.
[2:27:47] It makes it possible for them to do the kind of job that's so necessary in the defense of freedom in the world and in making possible our efforts and our objectives of peace throughout the world.
[2:28:02] And so on behalf of all of us in the Department of Defense, I'd like to express the long view from the Congress, our appreciation for making this opportunity available, not only to the 900,000 that have already retired,
[2:28:16] military service, but to all those men and women that are currently taking part in the defense of our country and serving in the Air Force.
[2:28:27] Thank you.
[2:28:27] Ladies and gentlemen, I would only add to that by saying that
[2:28:47] Most important of all...
[2:28:55] That what men and women who serve in our armed forces really need more than anything else is respect.
[2:29:03] Whatever we pay them, whatever survivor benefits we provide, certainly should be equivalent to what they can do in civilian life.
[2:29:12] But the respect must come from all of the American people.
[2:29:16] for those who serve in our armed forces, and the fact that so many of you have come down from the House and the Senate today, not only indicates your interest in this legislation, but it indicates that on a five-point front, we respect the men and women that serve America all over the world.
[2:29:57] I hope you all have a nice vacation afternoon.