Washington, Dec 7, SPA -- U.S. President George W. Bush chose aMarine base in southern California _ one with one of thehighest casualty rates in Iraq of any U.S. military base orinstallation _ to thank American troops fighting Iraqiinsurgents. Bush was to deliver a speech on Iraq and have lunch withtroops Tuesday at Camp Pendleton, 60 kilometers (38 miles)north of San Diego. More than 21,000 Marines serving inIraq and neighboring nations are part of the 1st Marineexpeditionary Force based there. "The president, first and foremost, will thank themembers of our military, men and women, who have served andsacrificed to make the world a safer and better place,"White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Monday."He will also thank their families for the tremendoussacrifices that they make."--SPA1455 Local Time 1155 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/223019