Posted on 08/06/2005 12:40:58 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: With the President, First Lady and the dogs relaxing at the ranch this weekend, there are no new photos to post. So I've selected a theme -- GWB and our Armed Forces -- and found many photos to let us enjoy a walk down memory lane. The theme photos are all from early in his presidency. They show GWB's closeness with our military both before and after 9/11/01.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
Monday, the President travels to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He will be touring the Sandia Laboratory there, and then will be making remarks after signing the comprehensive energy legislation that passed recently.
Tuesday, the President is going to have his economic advisors to the ranch. He will participate in a briefing with them on the state of our economy. Afterwards, GWB will make some remarks and participate in a press availability.
Wednesday, President Bush will traveling to Aurora, Illinois, where he will sign the transportation legislation. Aurora is the largest town in the north-central Illinois congressional district of House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
Saturday, tentative, but the President usually participates in an RNC event in August at the ranch. As of yesterday, the President's schedule was not firmed up beyond Wednesday.
QUOTE OF THE DAY Excerpt from the presidential radio address, Saturday, August 6, 2005:
As families across the country enjoy the summer, Americans can be optimistic about our economic future. In the past four years, our economy has been through a lot: we faced a stock market decline, a recession, corporate scandals, an attack on our homeland, and the demands of an ongoing war on terror.
To grow the economy and help American families, we acted by passing the largest tax relief in a generation. And today, thanks to the tax relief and the efforts of America's workers and entrepreneurs, our economy is strong and growing stronger.
This past week, we learned that America added over 200,000 new jobs in July. Since May of 2003, we've added nearly 4 million new jobs. The unemployment rate is down to 5 percent, below the average of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. And more Americans are working today than ever before in our nation's history.
We need to make the tax relief permanent, end the death tax forever, and make our tax code simpler, fairer and more pro-growth.
May 8, 2001: First Lady Laura Bush visited troops in Fort Jackson, South Carolina for a "Troops to Teachers" rally. She got a rousing welcome and, as you can see from this gorgeous photo, she was delighted.
President Bush salutes as he disembarks a Coast Guard ship after a Jan. 25, 2002 tour. "When it comes to securing our homeland and helping people along the coast, the Coast Guard has got a vital and significant mission," said the President in his remarks at nearby Southern Maine Technical College. "And, therefore, the budget that I send to the United States Congress will have the largest increase in spending for the Coast Guard in our nation's history."
President Bush and Brigadier General Richard Mills, Deputy Commander of U.S. Special Forces, view a tactical demonstration from the roof of a building at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 15, 2002.
President Rallies the Troops in Alaska
12:17 P.M. (Local)THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.) Thank you all very much. (Applause.) Thank you all.
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: I was told I was the only President of the United States ever to live in Alaska. (Applause.) And even though that was in 1974, I have incredibly fond memories of such a beautiful, beautiful part of the world.
During his tour of Observation Post Oullette, South Korea, President Bush eats lunch with troops, Feb. 20, 2002.
GWB is given a tour of the North Korean border by Lt. Col. William Miller, left, and General Thomas Schwartz from Observation Post Ouellette near Camp Bonifas in South Korea.
Discussing American initiatives in the war, the Vice President spoke to troops stationed at Al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, March 17, 2002. "That is our first objective: To shut down terrorist camps wherever they are and to disrupt terrorist plans and to bring terrorists to justice," said the Vice President. "We'll make life very hard for them, by driving them from place to place until there is no place left to hide."
GWB speaks during the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the Air Force Academy football team in the Rose Garden, May 17, 2002. "During last May's visit [see photo in 2001 segment], I said of Coach DeBerry, he is not just recruiting to win football games, he is recruiting to win our nation's war, if we have one. That was May. And on September 11th, war came to our country. And I want to thank you, Coach, for recruiting those who will help us win our nation's wars."
President Bush presents a diploma to a United States Military Academy graduate at West Point, NY, June 1, 2002.
Addressing the troops and families of the 10th Mountain Division, and other members of the Fort Drum community, at Fort Drum, NY, July 19, 2002. The President acknowledged the Mountain Division's excellent work in Afghanistan.
Sitting in front of the rebuilt section of the Pentagon, service personnel and families listen to President Bush speak at the Pentagon Observance, September 11, 2002. "One year ago, men and women and children were killed here because they were Americans. And because this place is a symbol to the world of our country's might and resolve," said the President. "Today, we remember each life. We rededicate this proud symbol and we renew our commitment to win the war that began here." [Many Americans are unaware that infants and school children were among those killed on 9/11/01.]
Attending the Pentagon observance ceremony, President Bush and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld say the Pledge of Allegiance before speaking, September 11, 2002.
President Bush makes remarks to American and British veterans in the East Room of the White House on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2002.
Artist's composite of what CVN 77 will look like at sea with her full complement of aircraft.
Cool!
Snugs, bitt was first today.
Wonderful pictures! Thanks so much for all your hard work...looking through these reminds me how hard the job of President of the US really is. Hardest job in the world.
President Bush is eating in my undisclosed location (UPDATE: Undisclosed location is IRAQ!)
November 27, 2003
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE TROOPS
Baghdad, Iraq
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. (Laughter and applause.) Thank you for inviting me to dinner. (Applause.) General Sanchez, thank you, sir, for your kind invitation and your strong leadership. Ambassador Bremer, thank you for your steadfast belief in freedom and peace. I want to thank the members of the Governing Council who are here, pleased you are joining us on our nation's great holiday, it's a chance to give thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings we receive.
I'm particularly proud to be with the 1st Armored Division, the 2nd ACR, the 82nd Airborne. (Applause.) I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all. We're proud of you. Today, Americans are gathering with their loved ones to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. And this year we are especially thankful for the courage and the sacrifice of those who defend us, the men and women of the United States military. (Applause.)
I bring a message on behalf of America: we thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you. (Applause.) Together, you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're honoring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job. (Applause.) You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so that we don't have to face them in our own country. You're defeating Saddam's henchmen, so that the people of Iraq can live in peace and freedom.
By helping the Iraqi people become free, you're helping change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping to build a peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you are defending the American people from danger and we are grateful. (Applause.)
You're engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins. (Applause.)
We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're part of the finest military ever assembled. (Applause.) And we will prevail because the Iraqis want their freedom. (Applause.)
Every day you see firsthand the commitment to sacrifice that the Iraqi people are making to secure their own freedom. I have a message for the Iraqi people: you have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country, based on human dignity and freedom. The regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever. (Applause.)
The United States and our coalition will help you, help you build a peaceful country so that your children can have a bright future. We'll help you find and bring to justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing innocent Iraqis. We will stay until the job is done. (Applause.) I'm confident we will succeed, because you, the Iraqi people, will show the world that you're not only courageous, but that you can govern yourself wisely and justly.
On this Thanksgiving, our nation remembers the men and women of our military, your friends and comrades who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom. We ask for God's blessings on their families, their loved ones and their friends, and we pray for your safety and your strength, as you continue to defend America and to spread freedom.
Each one of you has answered a great call, participating in an historic moment in world history. You live by a code of honor, of service to your nation, with the safety and the security of your fellow citizens. Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth. I'm proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. I bring greetings from America. May God bless you all. (Applause.)
ping to post 15.
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