COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Cheney to Marines: 'We will prevail'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Using a military anniversary Saturday to underscore the reason for war in Afghanistan, Vice President Dick Cheney vowed that the United States will win the battle to eradicate global terrorism.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

"We did not seek this war, but it found us prepared," Cheney said in a speech honoring the 226th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. "Americans are united, we love our country and what it stands for. We will defend our country and our freedom, and we will prevail."

The Marines and other branches of the armed services are defending "civilization and human values," Cheney said.

"America fights now to save ourselves and our children from living in a world of fear," Cheney said. "We fight now because we will not permit a small group of vicious and violent men to impose their will on America or the world."

"Ruthless" terrorists carried out the September 11 attacks against the United States, he said.

"They seek weapons of mass destruction and would not hesitate to use them at the first opportunity," Cheney said. "Our enemies employ tools of terror with the goals of genocide. They must be stopped, and they will be stopped."