SAN ANTONIO -- President George W. Bush paid an emotional visit Thursday to soldiers maimed or badly burned in combat at the Center For the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center.

Air Force One landed at San Antonio International Airport around 2 p.m., where Bush's motorcade took him to visit with the wounded soldiers.

Bush said that if anyone would visit the center, they would leave inspired and thankful because soldiers are recovering from wounds with a lot of courage.

The president added that the center is a tribute to the generosity of Americans.

"Make no mistake about it, the American people support the men and women who wear our nation's uniform," Bush said. "The center is a testament to our deep belief that someone wounded in defense of America needs all the help that he or she can get."

Bush said that his administration is determined to mend the nation's system of caring for veterans.

"Our system needs to be modernized," the president said. "We have an outdated system that can bog down some of those recovering in a maze of bureaucracy and that's what happened at Walter Reed," he said, referring to the Army medical center in Washington, D.C.

Bush's visit to Brooke comes amid scrutiny of veterans' care and discontent among returning troops after extended tours in Iraq.

The president said his administration had put in place recommendations of the commission he created after reports about substandard outpatient treatment at Walter Reed. He urged Congress to act on others that require legislation.

During his visit to the Alamo City, Bush also presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to Gloria Sanchez, who has a long history of volunteer work with the Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehabilitation, Citizens On Patrol and the Community Response Team.

Bush was also going to attend a private fundraiser for Sen. John Cornyn and then leave for his ranch in Crawford.

This is the fourth time Bush has visited San Antonio since becoming president.