Bush thanks military for undertaking 'just' work

President George W. Bush says every U.S. military mission under his watch has been necessary and part of a just cause.

President George W. Bush says every U.S. military mission under his watch has been necessary and part of a just cause.

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Nearly finished with his eight-year presidency, Bush spoke Tuesday at a parade honoring both the military and him as outgoing commander in chief.

The president told the gathered troops at suburban Fort Myer that some of his military decisions have been unpopular. But he told them that the cause they serve has always been "just and right." Under Bush, the U.S. entered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bush told the military service members that their work has been as courageous and idealistic as that of any generation before them. Bush leaves office on January 20.