Posted on 07/26/2009 12:01:47 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
George W. Bush marked the Fourth of July with an address to a massive crowd in Woodward, Okla., that appeared thrilled to receive the former president for its holiday celebration.
The audience at the Rodeo Arena was largest Bush has addressed since he left office. Woodward's entire population is 12,000. By Mayor Bill Fanning's count, more than half that number showed up to hear the speech, which was part of festivities marking the $25 million renovation of a local park.
In his address to the crowd, Bush looked back as far as the signers of the Declaration of Independence and as recently as the U.S. soldiers fighting wars abroad as examples of the patriotism and bravery that define Americans.
The president said victims of Hurricane Katrina displayed great courage. He then described a blind man who lost his home in the 2005 hurricane but went on to graduate summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi.
"Patriotism comes in all different kinds of forms," said the president, who noted a 60-year-old man from Nevada who got a waiver to enroll in the military after his son was killed in Iraq. The man is now serving as a Navy medic.
And he described men who set this nation free when they signed the Declaration of Independence.
"They did the right thing even when it was hard. They did the brave thing even when risky. They did the noble thing even when many others would not," the president said.
Woodward is friendly territory for Bush, who visited the town two decades ago while campaigning for his father's presidential bid. In 2004, Bush won 80.9 percent of the vote in Woodward County as he defeated Democratic challenger John Kerry.
A banner welcoming Bush hanged from a restaurant on a highway entering Woodward.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...

July 4, 2009: Former President George W. Bush arrives with wife Laura Bush at the Let Freedom Ring 2009 festival at Crystal Beach Park Arena in Woodward, Okla.
Thank You God!!
“George W. Bush marked the Fourth of July with an address to a massive crowd in Woodward, Okla., that appeared thrilled to receive the former president for its holiday celebration.”
They probably were thrilled. After all with Bush they know he doesn’t hate them just because they’re white. They know he doesn’t want to destroy them economically just because they’re middle class. They know Bush doesn’t want them to be vulnerable to terrorist attacks just so the US can be like the rest of the world.
No, instead, Bush is a regular American. Imperfect? Yes. But he’s an American. Obama is something else.
I was disappointed in President Bush a few times during his years in the WH . . . but for the reason you stated: "He's an American"---who loved his country first and foremost - - - I really do miss him.
They probably were thrilled. After all with Bush they know he doesnt hate them just because theyre white. They know he doesnt want to destroy them economically just because theyre middle class. They know Bush doesnt want them to be vulnerable to terrorist attacks just so the US can be like the rest of the world.
No, instead, Bush is a regular American. Imperfect? Yes. But hes an American. Obama is something else.
JUST HAD TO POST IT AGAIN vladimir998 ....your post was SOOOOOO GOOD!
It would be nice to have a president with class.
Thank you for a wonderful story.
Ping! to starwise
OH my. NOw THERE was a President and a First Lady of whom all Americans could be proud.
The Damnocrats could not tolerate his Christian world view, his strength of character, nor his wholesome family.
They spent eight years berating him, ridiculing him, trying to destroy him.
And yet how does it look now, Damnocrats? Let’s compare Zero to W.
W wins in EVERY comparison.
We miss you, President Bush!
The people of Woodward forked over more than two grand a piece to renovate a park? Whoa!
Big Bump for A Leader!
George W Bush — a great president and an even greater human being!
Great one...Bush has couage AND conviction to spare....
The Zero has neither!
So you prefer Obama’s leadership to Bush’s, then.
Yes Bush protected us with his open borders policy. Who can count the number of Americans murdered, raped and robbed by illegals? Now that’s protection.
And let’s not forget his free drugs from retired voters, at that time it was the largest transfer of wealth in our nations history. Now that’s taking care of the taxpaying middle class.
Add to that his 100 billion dollars to Africa for AIDS of which most was stolen and he turned out to be a GREAT RINO-IN-CHIEF.
who can forget Bush-o-socialist saying what great conservatives Spector and McCain are?
PLEASE, ENOUGH OF SUPPORTING THIS BIG SPENDING RINO SOCIALIST.
Bush supporters are every bit as bad as Obamanoids.
"They did the right thing even when it was hard. They did the brave thing even when risky. They did the noble thing even when many others would not," the president said."
That was his attitude the whole 8 years; he NEVER took a poll to “see” how he should feel, and he didn’t start something that he couldn’t finish! He didn’t listen to the “advice” of the ones in the media OR in Congress who didn’t have the best interests of the country at heart!
He is a MAN!
That is not what he said.
BUSH; Well, I have obviously made a decision to make sure the economy doesnt collapse. Ive abandoned free market principles to save the free market system. I think when people review whats taken place in the last six months, uh, and put it all in one, in one, (sigh), you know, in one package, theyre realize how significantly we have moved.
It worked too...it's not his fault Obama won't let go of the banks or make them jump through hoops to pay the money back.
This left-wing clown big government POS should shut up and go home.
You are full of it. Here are GWB's deficits vs. Obama's deficits.
Some big spender....you apparently didn't understand how much money liberal Democrats WOULD spend. There is no excuse for that now.
George and Laura look great! I sure miss them............
You should post that as a thread.
Yes, Bush and Cheney have class. Obama has “attitude”.
Nah, I’m sick enough of straightening out clowns as it is.
Thanks though!
That is not only a stupid argument but makes no sense.
Bush was not much better then Obama.
The nation deserves to be ruled by the tyrant in chief Obama. It allowed Bush 8 years, what’s another 4 years of socialism?
And the fact that you believe what Bush did worked is the reason we are in the place we are now.
It’s people like you ...
Pres. Bush did not stick to the conservative template a lot of the time but on the big issues of protecting the country, supporting the military and valuing life, he is head and shoulders above Obama.
That is not only a stupid argument but makes no sense.
Bush was not much better then Obama.
The nation deserves to be ruled by the tyrant in chief Obama. It allowed Bush 8 years, what’s another 4 years of socialism?
And the fact that you believe what Bush did worked is the reason we are in the place we are now.
Good post.
Bush was not as bad as Obama.
You can’t deny that.
Boy do I miss adults who put America FIRST being in the White House. Now we have anti-American socialist cry babies running the show. The entire population is at risk and all of our enemies are walking all over us.
I guess even FReepers can be delusional
and misguided. Sad.
~~PING!
God Bless W and Did.
Pray for America
Boy, do I miss President Bush.
**Describes Courage as Key to American Spirit**
W bump!
Laura bump, too. That’s how a first lady should dress.
Thank you, dear Salvation.
I miss them so much.
Let’s not forget the bravery of Americans who’ve had to put up with mediocre to terrible presidents since Reagan left office.
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