A Close Encounter With Our President

Personal Email | March 3, 2004 | Laura Lefler

[n-tres-ted]

This is from Laura Lefler:

I'm at the 8:00am service at my church, St. John's Episcopal, at Lafayette Square, across from the White House. (I wanted to go early because I was going with Alice and Brent for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Manassas.)

Much of the service was uneventful--nice, but uneventful--until it comes to the part of the service when the priest says, "Greet one another in the name of the Lord." I turn to my right to exchange the peace with my friend, Amy Fox Smythe, who was was on the other end of my pew. I then shake hands with the person in front of me, and turn around to say hello to the person behind me.

The person behind me was our 43rd President George W. Bush. I am not kidding. A small crowd was forming around him, and not wanting to delay the church service or bother him by waiting to shake his hand, I turned back around and sat down and talked to Amy. About 30 seconds later I felt a hand on my left shoulder and turn around to see President Bush with his hand extended. "Peace of the Lord, " he said and held my hand with both of his. "Peace of the Lord," I replied, and held both his hands and smiled at him.

I turned back around and was remarkably calm about the fact that the most powerful person in the world was sitting two feet behind me. I could hear him flipping through his bulletin as the priest made the announcements. I loved the idea of him thinking, "Oh, there's a covered dish next Sunday."

We perched and when I stood up to go to the communion rail, he got up and walked down the aisle behindme. We passed a little old lady who said, "Mr. President, I pray for you every day." To which he said, "That's a very special gift. Thank you so much."

We got to the communion rail and there were two spaces, one in front of us and one around the side of the altar. We both surmised for ten seconds and then I started off around the corner. He stopped me and whispered, "No, no. I'll go around" and motioned for me to take the closer spot.

The only exception made in the entire service was that the President was allowed to leave first and then the rest of the congregation followed.

With all sincerity, and partisanship aside I tell you: This is a special man! There is a peace and a Godliness about him. It radiates from him. It is the only reason that I was able to remain calm. It was more than the adrenaline I've felt when I've met other famous people. A goodness flows through this man. He has more than my vote in November. He has my respect, my prayers, and my gratitude. Whatever your political affiliation, and whether or not you agree with his decisions, you should take comfort in the fact that--despite recent press attacks--this is a man of integrity who makes decisions because he believes that are RIGHT, not popular. He makes these decisions with a heavy heart and through prayer.

I don't mean to go on, and on, but I truly believe this was a blessing from God that should be passed on.

Laura Lefler Office of Senator Lamar Alexander 302 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4944 fax: 202-228-3398

[fatima]

Old Sarge,Bump.

[Lazamataz]

Great! Well, we'll marry as soon as you can afford the alimony payments! *S* Deal? *L*

Sweet! We can skip all the stupid stuff, and I can just hate you now and buy you a house!

Modern life. Ain't it grand. Just pop it in the microwave, 5 minutes later, they're burying you.

[arjay]

Snopes says its status is undetermined. They are trying to confirm it one way or the other.

They do say that Pres. Bush has attended this particular church at times.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Laz, the president has ultimate say over security procedures. Wuss had little old ladies shaken upside down, this guy has class and some consideration of the inconvenience his wake can generate. I understand he's had a hard time getting the SS to treat people properly after their 8-year ordeal of checking under ashtrays and watching out for Hillary.

[Quix]

AMEN!

PRAISE GOD!

though I think posting her info is still a big hazard on such a public, popular forum. You might consider asking the Lead Moderator to alter it.

[Happygal]

Never mind the kissy, hootchie kootchie stuff (even though, that MIGHT be fun!!)...scroll back to the bit where you are buying me a house! *L*

[Kaslin]

I read somewhere that this is an urban legend.

This is what I found in snopes

Claim: Churchgoer describes encounter with President Bush at St. John's Church.

Status: Undetermined.

St Johns

[Lazamataz]

Laz, the president has ultimate say over security procedures.

P'haps. However, if true -- and I'd like a little backgrounder on that one way or the other -- I really don't think it should be his call. His safety is important to the country, to keep it from chaotic turmoil should someone take an opportunity to do him harm. He's responsible for more than just his own life. He *owes* it to us to defer to the Secret Service.

But seriously, I just don't think you turn around and there's the President. There's a War on Terror going on. The Wahabbists would LOVE to know that this is possible -- they'd salt every scene with potential actors.

[StarCMC]

Thanks for posting and thanks for the ping Sarge! He truly is a great man -- mostly because he's so normal!

[NewRomeTacitus]

I don't blame your skepticism at all. It's been so long since we've seen a real leader. He's got the Rats scurrying around like, well, rats trying to sell us a weasel.

[McGavin999]

I wonder if he knows that we all pray for him every day?

[trussell]

Sarge--Amazing article!! Thank you for pinging me to it.

Wonderful article on the spirit that surrounds the President. Hope you dont mind me pinging the list for this story.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

WE got one of those pictures addressed to us also...... it's fund raising time.........

[sfRummygirl]

Hey, if they don't find you handsome, at least they find ya handy.....

[Sabertooth]

P'haps. However, if true -- and I'd like a little backgrounder on that one way or the other -- I really don't think it should be his call.

He's the Commander in Chief!

You're forgetting (assuming this story is true), that no one got near the President without being checked for weapons, he got close to them. This happened on his initiative.

If this story is untrue, it's not because it couldn't have happened this way.

The Secret Service are vigilant and diligent, but they are not a Praetorian Guard.

[lizma]

I know but who's gonna tell that to my future grandkids?? ;->

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Hey, I didn't say ours wasn't going to be framed, did I? lol

It's a very nice photo of them, isn't it?

[Humidston]

What a contrast to BJ Clinton.

No fanfare, no parading himself in front of cameras, strutting and carrying a prop Bible. Just a quiet visit to worship his God in humble anonymity. We are blessed!

[lakey]

This was an e-mail to me. I was not impressed.

[SwinneySwitch]

"I wonder if he knows that we all pray for him every day?"

Yes, he does.