Following is the complete text of Pres. Bush's speech in Salt Lake City to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention Monday, as provided by the White House.

Thank you all. Thank you all very much. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's a pleasure to be back here in Salt Lake City, Utah. And I'm proud to again stand with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Thanks for having me.

I really enjoy coming to these conventions. Members here come from all walks of life and you do vital work across our country. I know firsthand the spirit of the VFW. I was raised by one of your members a proud veteran of Post 4344 in Houston, Texas, former President George Bush. Where is that mighty Texas delegation? Behaves yourselves.

I'm honored to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces. The men and women who wear the uniform today are protecting our nation and our way of life. And they are upholding a tradition of honor and bravery and integrity set by America's veterans. All of you defended this country with unselfish courage. You've earned the respect of our citizens. And so, on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service for the cause of freedom and peace.

I appreciate John Furgess. I appreciated working with him for the past year. He's a good, honorable man, and he's represented the VFW with distinction and class. It takes judgment to be the President of an organization. And so when I first saw John this morning, I realized he was a man of good judgment. He said, "You've got to understand, Mr. President, most of the people are really excited to see Laura." I'm proud she's traveling with me. I'm proud to call her wife. And a lot of folks in this United States of America are proud to call her First Lady.

And I'm pleased the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is with us today, Ranger vet, a man who is doing a fine job on behalf of the veterans across the United States, Secretary Jim Nicholson.

When I landed out there at the airport, I was greeted at the base of the stairs by the Governor of this great state, Governor Jon Huntsman. And I appreciate you being here, Governor. And I want to thank your wife, Mary Kaye, for joining, as well. There she is. Hi, Mary Kaye. I know the Lieutenant Governor, Gary Herbert is with us, and Jeanette. Appreciate you being here, Lieutenant Governor.