A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos): 8.18.05

There are no new photos of President Bush as he and the first lady continue their stay at their ranch in Crawford Texas where he based for the month of August.

Though this is a time of relaxation and recharging of the batteries he continues to conduct governmental business from what has been dubbed the western White House.

The White House announced that the President is sending Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar to Libya in a step toward normalizing relations after Tripoli decided to abandon weapons of mass destruction

The Vice President has been in Springfield, Missouri today and spoke at the 73rd National Convention of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is on day 3 of his 3 day visit to Latin America.

I have also found some photos from a fund raiser that the Vice President attended on Monday 15th August 2005 on behalf of Conrad Burns at the Holiday Inn in Billings.

QUOTE OF THE DAY –

Vice President's Remarks at the 73rd National Convention of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
University Plaza Hotel
Springfield, Missouri

As combat veterans you know the toughest realities of the battlefield, and you have seen fellow Americans give the last full measure of devotion in defense of our country. My old friend Joe Foss, who earned both the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor in World War II, used to say, "Those of us who lived have to represent those who didn't make it."

I know that all of you feel the same way. And I know your fallen comrades would be proud of you -- not just for your service in uniform, but for your enduring service as patriotic citizens. You look out for each other, and move swiftly to the side of veterans in need. You build and care for war memorials across our country. You stand behind our men and women in uniform, and welcome home returning soldiers. For those who have been wounded, you give the moral support and encouragement that only you can give. And like every generation of veterans, you are a daily example of the values of personal responsibility, physical and moral strength, and unselfish courage.

All who wear the uniform today, and every person who has served honorably in the military, can be proud of the cause that America represents in the world. As a nation born in revolution we believe, and we know, that tyranny must be opposed and ended, that cruelty and violence must be answered, not with indifference but with justice, that innocent captives deserve to be liberated, and that every person on this earth has a yearning to be free.

At this moment, all branches of the armed services are fighting the new war against one of our most ruthless enemies. Those who attacked America have proven their eagerness to kill innocent men, women, and children by the thousands. They are looking to obtain weapons of mass destruction by any means they can find. They would not hesitate to use such weapons at the first opportunity. And their prime target is our country.

Four years ago, on a Tuesday morning in September, a threat that had been gathering for years, in secret and far away, arrived in America and brought grief to the entire nation. And after 9/11, the United States made a decision: Having been attacked by stealth inside our own country, we will not sit back and wait to be hit again. We will do everything we can to prevent attacks by taking the fight to the enemy. (Applause.)

In these 47 months, we have been unrelenting in the effort to defend the freedom and security of the American people. In a multinational campaign, we continue to make progress on many fronts -- financial, legal, military, as well as others.

Defeating the terrorists and their ambitions requires that we deny them sanctuary and support, and the United States is leading a global coalition in that effort. We are dealing with a network that has had cells in countries all over the world. Yet bit by bit, through diplomacy and by force, with our allies and partners, we are acting to shrink the area in which the terrorists can safely operate.

Like the President, over the last several years I have had the honor of presenting the Purple Heart to my fellow Americans. As in all wars, a good number of battle decorations have been awarded posthumously. One of those we've honored is Army Sergeant Paul Ray Smith -- and the story of this young man is one of the most impressive in our history. In April of 2003, during the campaign to liberate Iraq, a task force led by Sergeant Smith came under surprise attack in Baghdad by a company-sized force of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard. Under constant enemy fire, with his unit pinned down and a number of men wounded, Sergeant Smith climbed onto a damaged armored vehicle and manned a 50-caliber machine gun, all the while in a completely exposed position. He remained in that spot, subjecting himself to greater danger than the military or the country could ever ask, firing incessantly at the enemy until he took a fatal round to the head. After the firefight, the Army concluded that this one soldier had personally killed as many as 50 Republican Guard, and saved the lives of more than 100 Americans. On the second anniversary of that fight, President Bush presented the Medal of Honor to the wife and children of Sergeant Smith. One of Paul Ray Smith's men said that he "was hard in training because he knew we had to be hard in battle." For as long as citizens step forward to wear the uniform of the United States, our nation will remember this man of courage. (Applause.)

On behalf of the President and the American people, I want to thank each and every one of you for paying that price, for placing duty and honor above self-interest, and for valuing service to this nation above your own life. You did your part to keep our country free, and you inspired a new generation of freedom's defenders.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY- After the above words of the Vice President the following 2 photos had to be the photos of the day

President George W. Bush places his hand on the shoulder of 11-year-old David Smith after he presented the young man with the Medal of Honor, awarded his father, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, posthumously during ceremonies at the White House. Joining David on stage are his step-sister Jessica and his mother, Birgit Smith

The Medal of Honor for Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith. Awarded posthumously Monday, April 4, 2005, during ceremonies at the White House

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld speaks after his meeting with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo at Government Palace in Lima, Peru on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld , left, speaks while Peru's President Alejandro Toledo listens after their meeting at the Government palace in Lima, Peru on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks at the Government Palace in Lima August 18, 2005

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, left, waves to reporters with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo after their meeting at Government Palace in Lima, Peru on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (2nd L) and Peru's President Alejandro Toledo shake hands at the Government Palace in Lima August 18, 2005.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Peru's President Alejandro Toledo greet the media at the Government Palace in Lima August 18, 2005

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (L) shakes hands with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo at the end of his visit to the Goverment Palace in Lima, Peru

The Photos of the Month of of Barney and Miss Beazley’s so far this year from the White House Website

January 2005 - Barney keeps a close watch as Miss Beazley checks out his soccer ball.

February 2005 - Barney takes a break from frolicking in the Washington, DC snow to pose for a photo

March 2005 - Barney investigates some treats left for him as he visits the Oval Office

April 2005 - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is greeted by President George W. Bush and Barney upon the Prime Minister's arrival Monday, April 11, 2005, to the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

May 2005 - Barney on the South Lawn of the White House with his ball May 2, 2005

June 2005 - Miss Beazley runs along a road June 4, 2005 at the Bush Ranch, in Crawford, Texas

July 2005 - Barney and Miss Beazley drink water from a bowl outside at the White House, July 20, 2005, on a hot day in Washington

August 2005 - Miss Beazley plays with a ball along the South Lawn

Whoops on the captions they were fine on my preview hope they are OK this time.

Vice President Dick Cheney was at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana in Billings on Monday 15th August and spoke for about 20 minutes at a fundraiser for Conrad Burns, who is running for re-election to the U.S. Senate next year.

Anti-war and Yellowstone County Constitution Party protestors gather across the street from the Holiday Inn Grand Montana for a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney

Snowplows and other heavy equipment surround the Holiday Inn Grand Montana during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney

Vice President Dick Cheney and U.S. Senator Conrad Burns share a laugh as Burns gives the Vice President a wooden box filled with hand made flies during a stop at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana

Vice President Dick Cheney campaigns for U.S. Senator Conrad Burns during a stop a the Holiday Inn Grand Montana on August 15, 2005.

Vice President Dick Cheney appears on stage with U.S. Senator Conrad Burns during a stop a the Holiday Inn Grand Montana on August 15, 2005.

Vice President Dick Cheney gets a standing ovation after his speech at a fund raiser for U.S. Senator Conrad Burns during a stop a the Holiday Inn Grand Montana on August 15, 2005.

Secret Service agents keep watch as Vice President Dick Cheney campaigns for U.S. Senator Conrad Burns during a stop a the Holiday Inn Grand Montana on August 15, 2005.

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