A Different Version of a Military Family Meeting with President Bush-Vanity

n/a | 8/8/2005 | Armymarinemom

[armymarinemom]

After reading multiple posts related to a certain individual flip flopping about our President's demeanor when meeting with families who have lost a loved one at war, I have decided it is time to post a vanity about meeting our President. If anyone has had a similar experience please feel free to post your experience also. It may be helpful to go on the record and put how our President really treats Military Families. My husband and I both had the honor to meet Air Force One and shake hands with the President last year on Earth Day. He took time to talk with each individual that was allowed to on the tarmac. He spent just a brief few minutes with my husband and I but our meeting was entirely different from what Ms. Sheehan describes. The first big difference is that he knew our names and the names of all three of our sons serving. When I shook hands with him he had a big friendly smile on his face. He then kept my hand and held my hand with both of his. He stated that he knew the last year had been rough and that he hopes we understand just how important our son's duty and our support meant to our country. When he spoke about hard times he wasn't jovial at that point but very serious and very caring. I looked deep into our President's eyes and saw nothing but compassion for our family. My husband thanked our President for taking a hit in the polls over speaking our against photographing our fallen troops arriving back into the US. The President stated that he was glad to take the hit in order to maintain privacy. After our brief meeting we were then allowed to ride in the motorcade to the reserve for the speech. Our son in the Marine corp was already at the reserve. Our meeting with him was pointed out in his speech and he asked for my son to stand up. He then gave my son an order to tell his brothers that applause at this event was not just to him but for them too. My son acknowledged the order with a salute which the President returned. Note. Mom couldn't see well by then. After the speech we were then allowed to ride back to the airport in the motorcade. You just don't know how tempting it is to make a big L sign on your forehead to protestors riding behind the President! USA Today link If our President is this compassionate meeting with a family who hasn't lost a loved one, Ms. Sheehan's version of his behavior makes no logical sense.

[amutr22]

Thank you so much for your post. It brought tears to my eyes, as well. I just wish your story and others like it got as much press as Cindy Sheehan's has.
God Bless your son and all of our troops.

[Waverunner]

When President Bush was campaigning for reelection, He stopped at the baseball stadium in here in Brevard County Fl.
As he was walking down the ine shaking hands, he noticed a rather pale young lady, he stopped asked her if she was okay, as she passed out in front of him, Jeb Bush caught her as she passed out, and lifted her across the fence, Secret Service got her medica attention, and they came back and found the people who came with her ( her boyfriend), and escorted them to the ambulance. The secret service told the boyfriend to keep them posted, because they knew the President would want to know if she was okay that evening.
This didn't even make our local paper Florida (not) Today.
It would have been easy for him to continue on handshaking and let other folks handle it, but It's obvious he cares about people, not Celebs like the Clintons or Kerry's.
( personally I think Laura keeps him firmly planted on the ground, and doesn't let him get too full of himself).

[Republican Wildcat]

Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace

 

at Conyer's Hearing on Downing Street Minutes

 

Ray McGovern, a former CIA agent (R), places a photo of the son of Cindy Sheehan, founder of Gold Star Families for American Peace(C) on the table as Ambassador Joseph Wilson looks on during an unofficial forum on the Downing Street Minutes on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC June 16, 2005. The document, created in 2002 for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that United States President George W. Bush was intent on invading Iraq and that intelligence was being manipulated to support Bushs interests. Sheehan's son, Army Specialist Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq. REUTERS/Chris Kleponis

148 posted on 08/10/2005 4:10:33 PM EDT by Sam Hill

Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace

 

at Conyer's Hearing on Downing Street Minutes

 

Ray McGovern, a former CIA agent (R), places a photo of the son of Cindy Sheehan, founder of Gold Star Families for American Peace(C) on the table as Ambassador Joseph Wilson looks on during an unofficial forum on the Downing Street Minutes on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC June 16, 2005. The document, created in 2002 for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that United States President George W. Bush was intent on invading Iraq and that intelligence was being manipulated to support Bushs interests. Sheehan's son, Army Specialist Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq. REUTERS/Chris Kleponis

[Humidston]

Some here may have a problem with our President, but there's no getting around the fact that he's genuine. He's just flat real. (As they say in TX.)

I love that characteristic - after that phony clown who preceded him!

[armymarinemom]

He's just flat real. (As they say in TX.)

That is a great description. Logical complaints are one thing but passing off characterizations from a lady that has lost it just isn't right.

[Humidston]

What a wonderful memory you have, Mom. And what a wonderful president we share! Prayers for him as well as your special children.

[FReethesheeples]

Thanks!

For What its worth, the Drudge Report (8/11/05) or my post of the article in which the Sheeshan family says "Stop Cindy!!" (Attached below):

As follows: From the Drudge Reprot (8/11/05):

FAMILY OF FALLEN SOLDIER PLEADS: PLEASE STOP, CINDY!
Thu Aug 11 2005 12:56:21 ET

The family of American soldier Casey Sheehan, who was killed in Iraq on April 4, 2004, has broken its silence and spoken out against his mother Cindy Sheehan's anti-war vigil against George Bush held outside the president's Crawford, Texas ranch.

The following email was received by the DRUDGE REPORT from Casey's aunt and godmother:

Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish.

Thanks, Cherie

In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family Statement:

The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect.

Sincerely,

Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

Developing...

[armymarinemom]

A Marine family has also spoken up about the whole matter.Marine parents: Protest wrong

[Pippin]

Thank You!

You, your husband and your sons are

GREAT AMERICANS! :o)

[FReethesheeples]

Bravo to the Marine family linked by you at # 129:

Marine parents: Protest wrong

[armymarinemom]

Marine parents: Protest wrong

Amen. Patriotic Military families drive the libs nuts. We need more of them to come forward and speak out.