In June, a team of U.S. Special Forces, who had been in Afghanistan only two weeks, was suddenly called to a helicopter crash site in rugged terrain some 9,000 feet above sea level.

A combined group of U.S. and Afghan troops – along with donkeys rented for the mission – would hike nearly straight uphill for several miles, all the while hauling combat loads averaging 100 pounds.

After 10 exhausting hours, the team’s legs began to cramp. In one 24-hour span they experienced 85-degree heat, then rain, and then freezing snow. But they kept climbing, and they accomplished their mission. When asked later about how they did it, the team sergeant had an answer: “sheer willpower.”

This is the same kind of spirit we have seen from all Americans in uniform this year who fought and persevered – through triumph and setback alike – to make our country more secure and bring hope to millions around the world.

The year began in the wake of a catastrophic tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed tens of thousands, and displaced a million more. While the world still reeled at the shock and scale of the tragedy, thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines set out immediately to engage in rescue and relief operations – delivering more than 20 million pounds of supplies and treating thousands of patients.

Hurricanes Katrina, and Rita later in the year, and the devastating earthquake in Pakistan showed once again the remarkable capabilities of today’s American fighting men and women to alleviate human suffering.

In Afghanistan, infrastructure continues to improve, the economy continues to expand, and after a second successful election – one in which millions of citizens chose from about 2,700 candidates – a democratically elected parliament embodies the hopes of the Afghan people. In a country once defined by oppression and strife, with a government once defined by fanaticism, some 30 million citizens are now free to choose the direction of their lives.

In January, over 8 million Iraqis raised an ink-stained finger in defiance of terrorists who threatened them and critics who doubted them. They continued this remarkable political advance through the year – drafting

and approving a constitution, electing a new assembly in December, turning from bullets to ballots to resolve differences.

U.S. and coalition military troops helped make this progress possible by helping create the conditions to empower the Iraqi and Afghan people to rebuild and secure their own country. In addition to engaging terrorists through military actions, U.S. service members helped to build the capability of the Afghan and Iraqi security forces. In Iraq, American forces switched their main focus from direct combat to training and mentoring Iraqis to assume security responsibilities themselves.

Consider that in December 2004, there were 96,000 trained and equipped Iraqi security forces. A year later, there are more than 215,000. Some 30 bases have either been returned to Iraqi control or closed altogether. Many areas noted for terrorist activity, like Najaf, Karbala and Sadr City, are today largely peaceful and patrolled by Iraqis. Seven in 10 Iraqis believe life is going well – and rightly so.

Around the world, terrorists are under pressure. In the Horn of Africa, societies are being strengthened because U.S. forces are helping local forces to allay the conditions that foster terrorism.

And during this time of war, the department continues to transform to reflect the realities of this new century – from realigning domestic and overseas basing to developing new technologies and tactics and applying innovative business practices to what had been an industrial age bureaucracy. The Department of Defense has been in a period of continuous change for several years, transforming its culture and processes to better suit today’s realities.

These remarkable achievements could not have occurred without the professionalism and devotion of America’s men and women in uniform, and the dedicated civilians who support them.

With the passing of time, we will likely look back on 2005 as a year during which the world witnessed a truly impressive display of U.S. forces serving causes bigger than themselves. The gift of freedom they guarantee is unmistakable.

In a world full of challenges, the men and women wearing U.S. military uniforms are a shining beacon of steadfast and noble service. We thank them for all that they do and for all that they are.