President Celebrating Easter at Fort Hood, Where Dozens of Iraq Wounded Recently Returned

Associated Press ^ | Apr 11, 2004 | Scott Lindlaw

[Brian Mosely]

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - For the second straight year, President Bush was celebrating Easter Sunday at Fort Hood, whose troops have come under deadly attacks in Iraq.

Bush made the 50-mile helicopter flight from his Crawford ranch, arriving as a light rain fell and telling reporters, "Happy Easter." It was the president's first public appearance since he arrived for an Easter break on his ranch on April 5.

During the church service at the base chapel, Bush sat with his family, bowing his head as the minister read a prayer: "Almighty God, we commend your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of the armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace ... give them courage to face the perils which beset them."

At least nine troops from the base were killed in Iraq in the past week. Thirty-one troops from Fort Hood who were wounded in a firefight in Baghdad last week were airlifted back to the central Texas base for medical treatment and family reunions.

Bush planned to meet with some of those soldiers.

The soldiers were wounded April 4 at the outset of one of the deadliest weeks of street fighting in the 13-month-old conflict. Seven soldiers from Fort Hood died in the same skirmish, officials said.

Last Easter, Bush rejoiced with two soldiers who had been taken prisoner and then were rescued. "I thank God for their lives," Bush said outside the military chapel.

Accompanying the president on the half-day trip were his wife, mother-in-law, twin daughters, parents and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the military, covering 339 square miles.

[basil]

This is so heartwarming--let's see how the idiot libs try to spin it!

[risk]

I'm sure the troops are happy to see Dr. Rice. Nobody explained the war their fighting in Iraq at the commission better than she did. They all know it. They'll rally around her and give her the welcome of her life.

[livius]

Very nice!

The Dems will, of course, try to spin something ugly out of this, but I think it's going to be hard for them to get away with it.

[ducks1944]

God bless our troops, there families and our Commander-in- Chief. May God keep them safe and bring peace to Iraq. I want to thank everyone of them for what they doing for all of us. I think we would all agree we need to fight terrorist over there not in our country. I ask God to protect all our service men and women this day and all the day to come.
What American need to understand is nothing else matters if we are not free. And being free does not come free, we must fight for it. We will not need social security, schools, jobs, homes and etc. if we are not free. This must come first then everything else will take care of it self.
So I say freedom or we die and I'll take freedom at any cost. And God be with all who fight for freedom. We love you and stand up for you at any cost.

[don-o]

And inquiring minds want to know, where is Jaques?

[mathluv]

Fox says W will be live in a few minutes.

[deadhead]

U.S. President George W Bush and first lady Laura Bush lead their parents off the Marine One helicopter as they arrive at Fort Hood army base in Texas, April 11, 2004. Bush, along with his parents George Bush (top) and Barbara Bush (2nd from top) and Laura's mother Jenna Welch (C) attended an Easter Sunday Church service at a chapel within the army base in central Texas.

[mtbopfuyn]

I haven't seen any of this being reported on tv.

[ride the whirlwind]

Thanks for the pictures.

Accompanying the president on the half-day trip were his wife, mother-in-law, twin daughters, parents and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.

What a great family this is. Fox will be showing a tape of the president's remarks at Fort Hood coming up soon.

[deadhead]

You're Welcome.

[deadhead]

Here are a couple of more photos. Condi, Barbara and Jenna:

[deport]

FYI.........

[TheSpottedOwl]

Thanks for the great pics. I do have to say that the girls could have worn something a little more appropriate. Jmo...

[EDINVA]

Condi's the only one with the smarts to carry an umbrella ?

[Lion in Winter]

I love that woman, Dr. Rice. She is such a LADY!

The President's daughters are so lovely.

[texasflower]

I'll bet the wounded young soldiers they went to visit were very happy with their outfits!

[TheSpottedOwl]

I'll bet the wounded young soldiers they went to visit were very happy with their outfits!

Duh! As a female, that didn't even occur to me ;-)

[jwalsh07]

Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the military, covering 339 square miles.

Yup and I thnk I spent time on every dang one of them.

[jwalsh07]

More appropriate attire for the Bush lasses. :-}