But for local residents, it's different when the president steps out of Air Force One and into the warm El Paso sun. It's different when he meets with the Fort Bliss Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard.

President Barack Obama did just that when he visited Fort Bliss on Tuesday, a historic day for his administration.

"To have our president here means a lot. But it's not just Fort Bliss, it's El Paso, he spoke highly about El Paso," Pittard told KFOX.

It's different when the president greets dignitaries like El Paso Mayor John Cook and area congressman. It's different when he meets with Fort Bliss soldiers and their families, like he did when he spoke to 140 soldiers at a dining hall on post.

"They were just happy to see him, our president, and that's really neat to see," said Pittard.

At the dining hall, the president laid down his message for the historic day.

"The bottom line is that our combat phase is now over. We are in transition and that could not have been accomplished if it had not been for men and women at Fort Bliss and across the country," Obama told the troops.

Obama thanked the soldiers in the room who had all served in Iraq.

"The main message I have tonight and for you is congratulations on a job well done. The country appreciates you and I appreciate you," he said. "The most pride I take in my job is being your Commander-in-Chief."

It was only a seven or eight minute speech, only a little over an hour at Fort Bliss. But it was something the Fort Bliss soldiers who have served the Commander-In-Chief will never forget.

"This was what I thought was very special. He shook the hands of every single soldier and family member there. He took the time to do that, and you rarely see that from anyone," said Pittard.

Fort Bliss has sent 20,000 soldiers to serve in Iraq, including 51 who died from combat and non-combat related injuries.