Revealed: what the tearful President told the grieving relatives of Britain's war dead

Independent ^ | 11/23/03 | Severin Carrell

[Pikamax]

Revealed: what the tearful President told the grieving relatives of Britain's war dead By Severin Carrell 23 November 2003

It was an unscripted moment in a morning of minutely choreographed state ceremony. It was the moment the three-year-old son of a British soldier killed in Iraq looked President George Bush in the face and said: "My daddy is up in heaven."

Mr Bush's face crumpled, and he stuttered the reply: "Oh, I'm so sorry."

Beck Seymour had, in one short sentence, disarmed the world's most powerful leader and caught the emotions of a room full of war widows and grieving families.

Beck was with his mother, Lianne Seymour, the widow of Commando Ian Seymour, a young soldier killed in a US special forces helicopter crash on the opening day of the Iraq war. And, alone among the 17 other parents, widows and soldiers alongside her, she challenged the President on his policies in Iraq and failure to find Saddam Hussein's alleged stockpile of chemical and biological weapons.

"He came and spoke to me, and he just said: 'I'm so sorry for your loss', and I didn't say anything," she said. "I just looked him straight in the face. He said 'it must be terrible for you', and I just said 'you have no idea how hard it is'."

The Seymours, from Poole, Dorset, were part of a carefully selected group of 19 people - the relatives of Britain's war dead and serving soldiers - chosen to meet Mr and Mrs Bush last Thursday morning during an official visit to honour Britain's war dead at Westminster Abbey.

Mr Bush and his wife, Laura, had arrived at the abbey for a short, sombre service to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, sign the visitors' book and receive a talk on the history of the building.

The abbey ceremony is a routine part of every state visit. But on Thursday, Mr Bush departed from protocol by arranging a private and emotion-charged meeting with the relatives of British marines, airmen, sailors and soldiers killed in Britain's most recent war - Iraq. It was an event where the President used his home-spun personal style to great effect. He won over each family - even Mrs Seymour.

The families gathered in the 14th-century wood-panelled Jerusalem Chamber of Westminster Abbey. The Bushes swept in with a small entourage, including White House officials, a senior family welfare officer from the Ministry of Defence and the President's photographer.

Mr Bush greeted each family in turn, took their hands, grasped their shoulders, and immediately passed on his condolences. Tony Maddison, the step-father of Marine Chris Maddison, killed in a "friendly-fire" incident near Basra, had travelled with his wife Julie from Scarborough with plans to ask the President how he planned to solve the dire situation in Iraq.

Mr Maddison, however, was tongue-tied and over-awed by their three-minute chat with the President. "I would say he's the most genuine guy I have ever met," he said. "He's much lampooned - people take the mickey. What a genuine guy. I have a totally different opinion ... there was a tear in his eye.

"He took the initiative away, he came across so genuine. He wasn't there for arguments or opinions. He was there to give his condolences to us. We were introduced by the welfare officer and then he spoke to us and told us that we will prevail and we wouldn't be beaten by just thugs and terrorists, and he passed on his heartfelt condolences."

Mrs Seymour had steeled herself for the meeting and took several breaths before she began talking. She told the President: "I have a three-year-old little boy who I have to bring up completely on my own now and the papers and the press are constantly reporting that there are no weapons of mass destruction. You and Mr Blair are constantly trying to reaffirm the fact that this isn't all in vain. I have to see that every day, on top of grieving for my husband." At this point, she said, "Beck chirped up and told him his 'daddy was in heaven', and Mr Bush's face just like fell, and he said, 'Oh, I'm so sorry'.

"I just said at the end of the day, my husband went away and his last words to his little boy were 'I'm going to make this a better world for other little boys and girls'. I said [to Mr Bush] 'that's your duty now, you've got to make sure that happens'. And he's like 'I promise to do my best.' That was that really, he just went to talk to the others, and then came back for photos, which was very awkward."

The meeting was, she said, "very strange" and "bizarre". But the tense and sombre atmosphere was lightened by her son. "Beck was very much the ice-breaker. He lifted the spirit in the room. He was running around and looking out for helicopters and snipers up on the roof. He gave everyone something else to focus on. I don't think the President was expecting to see any children there. It's the true reality of the situation isn't it?"

The meeting was ultimately unsatisfactory, she said, since even the US President could not bring her husband back. Yet even she was disarmed by him. "It's really hard, I don't like to say this, but I actually think he was quite genuine. He seemed genuinely quite upset and quite emotional. His wife didn't say anything to me. I don't think I heard her speak once, and to be honest, she looked the disengaged one.

"I only ever judge people when I meet them. And although I don't like his politics or what he's done, as the person I saw stood opposite me, I actually think I would get on well with him if I met him at a dinner party. I think he would be easy to get on with, he's very personable. But that's different from his politics."

[No Blue States]

That was really interesting reading, thanks for posting it.

God Bless the families of the fallen and those who value freedom.

[McGavin999]

The thing most people in this world don't understand is that President Bush IS a genuinely caring man. Taking our nation to war is the hardest thing a man like that can do, but he did it because he believes it will make the world better and will keep us all safe. I believe it too.

[cmsgop]

Outstanding, Thats my President

[af_vet_1981]

What a genuine guy. I have a totally different opinion ... there was a tear in his eye.

G-d bless President George W. Bush and those who serve with him!

[RicocheT]

President Bush does not shirk from hard duty. He could have taken a pass on seeing the grieving widows, mothers and fathers, but he met them and offered condolences. He has that basic decency that we want every one of our Presidents to have. God bless him.

[thoughtomator]

One can only imagine what Clinton would do in the same situation... rape the mother maybe.

[txzman]

"Mr Maddison, however, was tongue-tied and over-awed by their three-minute chat with the President. "I would say he's the most genuine guy I have ever met," he said. "He's much lampooned - people take the mickey. What a genuine guy. I have a totally different opinion ... there was a tear in his eye."

This is something the NYTimes and the Left will NEVER understand.

[SkyPilot]

I have had to give bad news to the survivors of fallen servicemen. What you hear about the grieving process is 100% true. First:

- shock, then..

- denial

- incredible anguish, and then

- Anger

- followed by healing

May God bless the British people who have stood so courageously with us.

[No Blue States]

He would form a focus group and check the polls, then do whatever he thought would cause his elusive good legacy to benefit.

[Jeff Chandler]

It was the moment the three-year-old son of a British soldier killed in Iraq looked President Bill Clinton in the face and said: "My daddy is up in heaven." Mr. Clinton turned to the boy's mother and said "So, you're single?"

[Verginius Rufus]

An interesting glimpse of the real George W. Bush.

The Left and much of the Democratic base believes that the war was all about making Bush's friends richer...and the next year will be spent trying to con the public into buying that line.

[Choose Ye This Day]

I don't begrudge this poor woman her grief, her anger, her pain. I can't imagine how difficult it would be for a wife and mother to lose her husband.

At the same time, I know--I KNOW--that had there had been any way for Bush and Blair and the rest of the coalition leaders to depose a bloodthirsty killer and thug like Saddam without putting any of our brave soldiers at risk, they would have done so in a heartbeat. But that's just not possible. That's not the reality of war.

Saddam needed to go. He is an evil man, and he thirsted for American blood. He had to be deposed, and the greatest democracies of the world were the only countries that could and would do the job. Our soldiers have a mission, and they are accomplishing it wonderfully. Tragically, too many have died due to accidents and rampant guerrilla attacks. The world WILL be safer, because tyrants and lunatics will now think twice, knowing that there IS a force for good in the world that will take action when talking has failed.

God bless George Bush, Tony Blair, and the brave fighting men and women who are protecting our lives and liberty.

[Holly_P]

One can only imagine what Clinton would do in the same situation

He would wait to make sure the camera was on him then he would bite his lip and shed a fake tear.

[No Blue States]

And clinton would probably rape or grope someone, then lie about it even under oath if he thought he could get away with it.

Im so proud of my vote for Bush and cant wait to place another well earned vote for him.

[potlatch]

he's very personable

The Queen though so too, by looking at the pictures!

[Jack Black]

Sometimes I disagree with his policies, but there is never a day I don't appreciate that he is the commander in chief, and not Gore. Bush makes me proud to be an American. He is a good man, this I truly believe.

[Pukin Dog]

That is my President too.

The Liberals will never understand, because they know deep down that their leaders are liars. There is not one Liberal who could have done what Bush did in that meeting.

Bush will be loved as Reagan, because in the end. He is just a good man, even when no one is looking. Liberals hate him because they know deep down that they can never measure up to the man.

[LibWhacker]

He'd say, "Well, don't blame me you little bastard. I didn't kill him."

Actually, I think he did say something like that to the father of one of the guys killed in Somalia . . . Not exactly that, of course . . . But, iirc, the father refused to shake Clinton's hand and Clinton muttered something like, "I don't know why he's mad at me. I didn't kill his son."

Anyone else remember this, or am I going nuts?

[No Blue States]

That had to take guts to do that, knowing he wouldnt get a warm reception.

Our president represents America with courage, grace, and dignity.

[Jeff Chandler]

Anyone else remember this, or am I going nuts?

Yes, and yes.

[Pukin Dog]

You got it exactly right. Clinton said, "Why is he mad at me? I didnt kill his son! The SOB never had a clue of his responsibilities.

[El Gato]

One can only imagine what Clinton would do in the same situation... rape the mother maybe.

Kind of a public place for that, he always wanted to remain "politically viable", no matter what he actually did, but he'd at least try to cop a feel on the sly.

[vanmorrison]

In my opinion, GWBush is as great as our last truly great president, Teddy Roosevelt, and greater than either FDR or Reagan. We will never see his like again in our lifetimes.

BTW, I served in the NAV during the Nixon/Ford/Carter years. I've been told that morale in the service during those years was the worst it has ever been in a hundred years. I have always blamed the Democrats for the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Watergate, and every evil social pathology in between. I can honestly say that, because of my experiences of that period, I have never voted for a Democrat politician at any time, for any office, at any level of government. And I'm determined to maintain this record 'till the day I die.

And I've never missed an election...

[LibWhacker]

LOL, thanks. :-)

[Roarkdude]

So much better than "I feel your pain".

[lepton]

He would form a focus group and check the polls, then do whatever he thought would cause his elusive good legacy to benefit.

He would have someone conduct a focus group...collect commonly-used phrases, then feed them back to the widows and orphans in an incoherent laundry-list string of cliches, yet leave them feeling he "knows how they feel" - as long as they don't actually think about what he said as a whole.

[af_vet_1981]

I only wish there were more like you. :)

[LibWhacker]

The man had absolutely zero class. Thank God those eight disgusting years are over with.

[glock rocks]

ahem.

[Mo1]

This is something the NYTimes and the Left will NEVER understand.

That is because they don't even want to try

[Walkingfeather]

You know if you think about this... If Bush is an recovering alcoholic and he voluntarily does this... he is a solid man. This would crumple most people. God bless him.

[nutmeg]

read later bump

[RightOnline]

"Anyone else remember this, or am I going nuts?"

No, you aren't nuts. Yes, it's true. It's recounted in the book "Blackhawk Down".

[1st-P-In-The-Pod]

God bless the President and his beautiful lady.

"His wife didn't say anything to me. I don't think I heard her speak once, and to be honest, she looked the disengaged one."

Mrs. Bush is a lady, and you were there to tell President Bush how you feel. She, being a lady, allowed you to do that without interference.

What would Clinton have done? Mrs. Clinton would say he "counselled" the woman.

God bless the brave men and women serving in Iraq.

[right way right]

I wonder why it was awkward for Mrs. Seymour to have the pictures taken.
Maybe she felt like an ass.

At any rate I do understand how nothing can remove the pain she is suffering.
It has to be hard to be supportive of a cause you don't believe in.
She just has to get over it.
This is sad indeed.
Thank God for our President and his genuine personality.

[Maynerd]

My respect and admiration for George W. Bush continues to grow with time. No other politician has in my experience. The rest dissapoint with time and sometimes disgust. We are witnessing history. W is a great one.

[lambo]

Thanks, buddy. I've been waiting to see something like this all week. I knew it'd eventually turn up.

[MediaMole]

This is the second story posted from the British press where people have talked about how President Bush is far different from the stereotypes in the media.

He has an amazing way with people one on one. I decided to vote for him after watching him with a small group of middle school kids after an event at a local school during the 2000 primary season. The cameras were off, the press pool was rushing off to another location. Many politicans would have given the kids the brush off once the cameras were gone, but for a few minutes these kids got his undivided attention.

[Choose Ye This Day]

"...wait to make sure the camera was on him then he would bite his lip and shed a fake tear."

Priceless memories of a classless lout:

(Outside Ron Brown's funeral, in case you've forgotten.)

[BibChr]

There were only EIGHT??

Oy!

Dan

[onyx]

Bookmarked. It's that GOOD. Thanks.

[kayak]

May God be with Mrs. Seymour and all of the other families of the coalition troops who have given their lives for a noble purpose .... toppling a vicious, cruel, barbaric regime.

May these families come to know the peace that passes understanding as they deal with their losses!

[technomage]

One can only imagine what Clinton would do in the same situation... rape the mother maybe.

With all due respect, wrong post, wrong place, wrong time.

[denydenydeny]

See this one yet?

[kayak]

Here's the other one (or another one) ......

Bush Visit: They slaughter protesters, too

[kayak]

Thank you! I agree with you.

And to help get the thread back on topic ......

President George W. Bush stands in front of a wreath laid by American service personnel besides the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, inside Westminster Abbey in central London, Thursday Nov. 20, 2003.

[elli1]

What would Clinton have done? Well, first of all, he would have assembled the world press and made sure there were live camera feeds to every media outlet in the universe... Second, he would have announced that plans had changed & the private meeting scheduled would now be a public....

[MJY1288]

President Bush could have easily avoided meeting these families. If you notice, there have never been any Media or camera's allowed to cover these meetings with the loved ones of those who have died. That's because he is not about to exploit their loss, he's only there to offer his condolences.

Yes, that's our President

[MissAmericanPie]

I'm sorry that people like her do not have the fore sight to grasp what the President is attempting to do for the world.

I guess for people like her it would take giving the terrorists enough latitude to kill Beck in a mall bombing before she would be capable of getting it.