Posted on 05/25/2006 3:06:03 PM PDT by snugs
Today the President Attended the Change of Command Ceremony for the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
Later today the President will welcome British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the White House. Today's dose will also be a live thread of their Press Conference.
Yesterday the Vice President attended a joint session of Congress for an address by Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Yesterday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei at the State Department
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Attends the Change of Command Ceremony for the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
Fort Lesley J. McNair
Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm delighted to be here with you at Fort McNair. I'm pleased to join you in celebrating an historic moment for the United States Coast Guard. This morning we mark a change of command at the helm of America's oldest continuous maritime service.
Our nation thanks a fine patriot, Admiral Tom Collins, for his leadership these past four years. And we thank his wife, Nancy, and their family for joining us today. We also congratulate Admiral Thad Allen, as he begins his duties as the 23rd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. And we appreciate the love and support of his wife, Pam, and their fine family, as well.
I'm honored to be on stage with General Pete Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and I welcome his wife, Lynne, as well. I want to thank the members of Congress who have joined us today. I appreciate Master Chief Frank Welch, who is the Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Coast Guard. I want to thank Captain Wilbur Douglass for his fine invocation. I appreciate the members of the diplomatic corps who are here. Thank you all for coming.
The history of the Coast Guard dates back more than two centuries, to the Revenue Cutter Service, established by Alexander Hamilton during the presidency of George Washington. Or as I call him, the first George W. (Laughter and applause.)
Through the generations, the men and women of the Coast Guard have stepped forward to defend our nation, to protect our waterways and ports, to enforce maritime law, to safeguard commerce and natural resources, and to rescue those in peril on the seas. Now the Coast Guard is carrying out those missions during a new kind of war. The Coast Guard is vital to our nation's security, and the American people are grateful to stand behind your shield of freedom.
The Coast Guard is also the world's premier lifesaving service, and the whole world saw your skill and bravery during the hurricanes last year. They saw Coast Guard rescuers plunging from helicopters, lifting people from rooftops, hoisting them to safety. In all, more than 4,000 Coast Guard personnel came to the aid of their fellow Americans and rescued more than 33,000 citizens. One of those saved said this about her rescuers: "They're my guardian angels. I couldn't be here if it wasn't for them."
Countless others who lived through last year's hurricanes feel the same way. When Americans were at their most desperate, they looked to the skies for help, and they knew their prayers were answered when they saw those rescue choppers from the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard performed with courage and distinction, and your response to Hurricane Katrina will go down as one of the finest hours in the Coast Guard's 216-year history. (Applause.)
In a few moments, Admiral Collins will pass the duties of commandant to an outstanding successor in Admiral Thad Allen. I came to know Admiral Allen well last September, when he directed recovery efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We surveyed damage together. We sat one evening on the deck of the USS Iwo Jima, talking about how we could help the folks in that region recover. He gave me regular updates on what was taking place -- an incredibly devastated part of our country.
It didn't take long to recognize his ability or his integrity or his ability to lead. I knew I could count on Admiral Allen to give me candid judgment. I relied on his steady nerves and his presence of mind in trying conditions. I was impressed by his compassion and his determination to help those who had lost so much.
Admiral Allen brings his experience with Hurricane Katrina to his new post, and he brings much more. The Admiral is a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, where he was a star football player -- he still looks like he could hold his own on the gridiron. (Laughter and applause.) He spent his life around the Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. Admiral Allen's father, Clyde, with us today, served in the Coast Guard. That means Thad followed in his father's footsteps -- I see nothing wrong with that. (Laughter and applause.)
At every stage of his career, Admiral Allen has inspired those around him with energy and dedication to service. One of his former colleagues likened Admiral Allen to the Energizer bunny. (Laughter.) Another said, "He brings out the best in people, especially in times of crisis." I want to thank Admiral Allen for his willingness to take on this incredibly important responsibility, and I look forward to calling him Commandant of the Coast Guard. (Applause.)
The Coast Guard has always been ready to defend our people and our freedom, and I thank you for your dedicated service. Semper Paratus. (Applause.)
And now, in recognition of your exceptional service during Hurricane Katrina, I will present the Presidential Unit Citation to the United States Coast Guard. (Applause.)
May God bless you all. (Applause.)
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush (R) talks to incoming Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Thad W. Allen during the Change of Command Ceremony for Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington May 25, 2006
President Bush talks with Adm. Thad W. Allen, center, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace looks on from the left during the Change of Command Ceremony for Commandant of the United States Coast Guard at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Thursday, May 25, 2006, in Washington
Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting any photos or graphics
GOOD!
President Bush walks in as he is introduced at the start of the Change of Command Ceremony for Commandant of the United States Coast Guard at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Thursday, May 25, 2006 in Washington.
Thanks, snugs.
President Bush, right, Gen. Peter Pace, center, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Thad W. Allen, left, bow their heads during the invocation at the Change of Command Ceremony for Commandant of the United States Coast Guard at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Thursday, May 25, 2006,
President George W. Bush (2nd R), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace (C) and incoming Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Thad W. Allen (L) honor the flag
President Bush, speaks as he participates in the Change of Command Ceremony for Commandant of the United States Coast Guard at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Thursday, May 25, 2006 
You did it!:)
President Bush, right, looks over and winks to Coast Guard Admiral Thad W. Allen
Hello toaster winner tonight
Love the walk passed the C G rifles!
Thanks as always for The Dose Eleanor!
Not quite another toaster tonight
Oh The's wink pic is totally awesome! :)
That's okay. I figured last night's would be my last for a while anyway. Besides, other people have to win sometimes lol.
Thanks for getting the dose up so early snugs. I'll be watching Tony Blair and the President tonight but might not be able to be online. We're getting thunderstorms here.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R), R-IL, convenes a joint session of Congress for an address by Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, May 24, 2006
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, shakes hands with House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Ill and Vice President Dick Cheney prior to addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is applauded by Vice President Dick Cheney (L) and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) as he arrives to address a joint session of Congress, May 24, 2006
Vice President Dick Cheney congratulates Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel, Wednesday, May 24, 2006, following the prime minister's remarks to a Joint Meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol
For those of us not angry enough about ABC's disgraceful reporting, there is this from their blog: We should watch for Blair/Bush homoeroticism.
I can't say more because I'd be banned.
And, btw, I thought the left thought homosexuality was to be embraced so why are they making fun of two men who are clearly heterosexual?
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1638227/posts
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei (L) speaks with journalists after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the Secretary's Outer Office at the State Department in Washington May 24, 2006
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei talk to journalists after their meeting in the Secretary's Outer Office at the State Department in Washington May 24, 2006
My pleasure
"My pleasure"
So kind!:)
Oh, dear. Be careful Dolly and check back in when you can.
A warning is more dangerous than a watch.
Well, the thunder has moved much closer so I'm logging off for a while and hope I can join you later as the press conference is going on.
Actually, from the look of this storm, I'm just hoping we don't lose cable.
There are some new photos up I am going to make a cup of tea and then will post them back in 2 ticks.
Your storm is now? It passed through here a couple hours ago. Blew down our basketball goal, rain was flying sideways into the garage, knocked down tree branches...it was bad. I hope it's easier on y'all.
Sorry got that wrong it is a watch not a warning - what is the actual difference?
Please refrain from making comments such as this on this thread there are plenty of immigration threads that you can make such comments on.
Thanks for # 35 snugs!
Good job, snugs.
You got one. :)
Oh WOW --- I just noticed I am first tonight!
Woo-Hoo for me. I have been away for a few days.
I did not actually report the poster so whether someone else did or maybe the mods decided to remove it before it started something
Your # 39 response...Priceless! :)
I reported it. I don't care who the poster is, this is the only place I get away from the "I'm a real conservative and you're not" people.
LOL -- when I posted "GOOD" I was just saying "good" to snugs for including the mention of the LIVE press conference. Never dreamed I was the first poster.
This is where we'll be for the LIVE coverage.
Pres.B. & Tony B. Same gait...Cool!
Really great final pic in # 42.
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