There is more sacrifice to come in Iraq, just as there was in World War II, Bush told a mostly older crowd of veterans, their spouses and invited guests at the American Legion convention.

While Americans may see on the nightly news the violence and bombings in Iraq, in reality those terrorists attacking civilians and military alike are "small in numbers" — tiny compared to the 12 million Iraqis who voted recently saying "we want to be free," Bush said.

Tough decisions are ahead, the president said. But he promised that America will stand by its Iraqi colleagues.

"We will not let this country fall into tyranny" but will defend the Iraqi people absolutely.

While some argue that Iraq has fallen into civil war, Bush said that is not the case. And U.S. and Iraqi troops and police will "break the death squads" that are preying on innocent Sunnis and Shiites alike, he said.

Even though we are only in the middle of the first decade of this century, Bush said the fight against radicalism, terrorism and Nazi-like totalitarianism "is the real struggle of the 21st century."

Calling up images of previous tough battles, like that for Okinawa during World War II, Bush said the United States and its heroic men and women in the military will prevail, as our forefathers have before us.

Bush said he knows some Americans are frustrated with the violence and cruelty seen in Iraq and the Middle East. "But we must not allow terrorism to decide" the outcome of this century, he said.

Toward the end of his speech, Bush recognized the family of Marine Cpl. Adam Galvez — sitting in the front row — saying their son's death in Iraq, the sacrifices they've made and the sacrifices of others killed in the war against terror will not be forgotten, will not be in vain. The audience stood to cheer in honoring the Galvez family, who buried their son Wednesday at Camp Williams.

Cpl. Galvez will leave behind "a better world," said Bush, who later shook the hands of Galvez's parents, Tony and Amy Galvez of Salt Lake City.

But a better world comes only if crucial decisions are made now. What will the future be, should America leave Iraq? he asked.

The Middle East could well become home to terrorist states, run by dictators armed with nuclear weapons, he said.

Bush vowed that on his watch, Iran will not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. And by staying the course in Iraq, "we will deliver a crushing defeat to terrorists," he added.

After his speech, Bush walked down to mingle with the crowd, shaking hands.

Veteran Bill Balser of Ohio said he agrees there is a serious threat in the Middle East, and to deal with that the United States must have a presence there.

"To me it's a necessary evil," said the Korean War veteran.