President Bush Attends Salute to the Troops Tee Ball Game on the South Lawn(Sept

THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tee Ball on the South Lawn. (Applause.) Laura and I are honored you are here, and we welcome they're military families and players from all across the United States of America. (Applause.)

We are really looking forward to seeing you all play, and it gives us a chance to thank your moms and dads for their sacrifice and service to the United States of America. (Applause.)

I'm proud to be here with the Honorary Commissioner Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. (Applause.) We are joined today by the Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates. (Applause.) General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force. (Applause.) Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force, Rod McKinley. (Applause.)

We welcome Congressman Tom Davis. Welcome, Tom. Thanks for coming, and thanks for bringing Jeanmarie. Glad you all are here. (Applause.)

What an honor it is to have Rascal Flatts not only play -- (applause) -- not only play the National Anthem, but entertain you at the picnic at the South Lawn after the game. Thank you guys for coming. (Applause.)

I do want to thank the Dunbar High School Junior ROTC for carrying the flag. Welcome. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)

Handling the first base coaching duties, former New York Yankee, Bernie Williams. (Applause.) Third base, General Pete Pace. (Applause.)

I'm about to -- we don't actually throw out the first pitch here at the South Lawn. We have ball presenters -- Ambassador Karen Hughes, who helped originate tee ball at the White House 20 games ago, as well as -- (applause) -- as well as the CEO and President of Little League International, Steve Keener. (Applause.)

We are especially pleased to have two broadcast giants with us today -- first, Tim McCarver, FOX. (Applause.) All-star catcher, 19 -- on the 1964 Cardinal World Series team. Awesome guy. And with him, from FOX and Friends, Brian Kilmeade. (Applause.)

I don't think we could have had a better broadcast team for this, the final game of our tee ball on the South Lawn. I do want to thank all the Little League staff members who have been working with us since 2001 -- Lance Van Auken, Mac McGlothlin and Katie [sic] Rosenberg. Appreciate your steadfast support. (Applause.)

And now, before we begin the game -- I know anticipation is rising here -- we will have the Little League Pledge. Are the players ready? You are ready? You repeat after me:

I trust in God. I love my country, and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best.

Play ball! (Applause.)