Posted on 06/19/2006 5:38:29 PM PDT by snugs
The President and First Lady spent Father's Day Weekend in Crawford returning to the White House on Sunday afternoon.
Today the President became the first sitting President to deliver the commencement address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point NY
Vice President Dick Cheney makes remarks at the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize luncheon
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice met with Spain's Foreign Affairs Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, Poland's Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga and Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu with the Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku. Also she announced the resignation of Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Delivers Commencement Address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy
Captain Tomb Field at Brooks Stadium
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, New York
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for the warm welcome -- if you know what I mean. (Laughter.) Admiral Stewart, Secretary Mineta, members of the United States Congress, Academy staff and faculty, distinguished guests, proud family members, and most importantly, the Class of 2006. I'm honored to be the first President to address the United States Merchant Marine Academy. I know that a presidential visit to Kings Point has been a long time in coming. And, Admiral, I hope it's worth the wait. (Laughter and applause.)
This is a proud moment for the Class of 2006. You have worked hard for this day. You sweated through the hardest indoc in Academy history; you braved the Jamaican beef patties of Delano Hall -- (applause.) You spent a year when your classroom was a ship and your campus the Seven Seas; you've made it through endless drills on the Grinder; you've survived the restriction musters that come with missing the train back from Manhattan. (Applause.) This fall, your football team brought home the Secretaries Cup by beating the Coast Guard. (Applause.) You've rung the bell outside Wiley Hall. And the words etched in your class ring affirm your commitment to teamwork: "Not for you, not for me, but for us." Your parents are proud of you, your teachers are proud of you, and this Academy is proud of you. On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you on a fine achievement, and I thank you for choosing to serve the United States of America. (Applause.)
This morning, I flew here on Air Force One with my friend, Andy Card. You might remember Andy -- he was my former chief of staff, and he attended this Academy in the 1960s. (Applause.) It just so happens when he was a plebe, he was stuffed in a duffel bag and run up the flagpole. (Laughter.) I know he appreciates the much warmer welcome he received here today. (Laughter.)
Secretary Card also reminded me that the President of the United States has the authority to lift all demerits and restrictions. So I bring you a graduation present. (Laughter.) In keeping with the longstanding tradition at our nation's service academies, I hereby absolve all midshipmen who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses -- I leave it to Admiral Stewart to define exactly what "minor" means. (Laughter and applause.)
Life at this Academy is demanding -- and it is meant to be. America is a great maritime power, and our Merchant Marine has a vital role to play. In times of peace, the Merchant Marine helps ensure our economic security by keeping the oceans open to trade. In times of war, the Merchant Marine is the lifeline of our troops overseas, carrying critical supplies, equipment, and personnel. For more than six decades, the mission of this Academy has been to graduate highly skilled mariners to serve America's economic and national security needs. To train you for these responsibilities, this Academy sharpens your mind, it strengthens your body, and builds up your character. The Academy has made you strong and instilled respect for the Kings Point motto -- Acta Non Verba -- "Deeds, Not Words."
"Deeds, Not Words" was the hallmark of this Academy in World War II. In the early years of the war, America's efforts to supply our allies in Europe were threatened by the U-boats that were sinking American ships faster than we could build them. The need to arm and defend our merchant ships was urgent, and King Pointers answered the call. One of them was an 18-year-old named Edwin O'Hara, whose statue stands not far from here. In September 1942, Cadet O'Hara was serving on the USS Stephen Hopkins when it came under attack from two Nazi raiders. After the entire gun crew of the Hopkins was killed by enemy fire, O'Hara singlehandedly served and fired the last five shells in the ready box, scoring direct hits on the German warship Stier. Cadet O'Hara was mortally wounded in the action, but not before he helped send the Stier to the bottom of the South Atlantic.
Edwin O'Hara is one of 142 Academy graduates who gave their lives in the second world war. Today Kings Point is still the only one of our five service academies that sends its students into the theaters of war -- and for that reason, it is the only Academy authorized to fly a Battle Standard. (Applause.)
"Deeds, Not Words" was your response on the morning of September the 11th, 2001. From this campus, every man and woman could see the black smoke rising from the Twin Towers. Within hours, your midshipmen were working side-by-side with the Coast Guard and marine division of the New York City Fire Department. Over the next nine days, you moved firefighters and police and emergency response teams into Ground Zero. You moved tons of food and water and supplies. The heroic response to that terrible day showed the spirit of America -- and the spirit of this fine Academy. And I thank you for your service. (Applause.)
"Deeds, Not Words" defines the Academy's role in the global war on terror. Your cadets are forward deployed in the Middle East, where they're supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Your Global Maritime and Transportation School is providing advanced training in areas from marine engineering to port security for military units like the Navy Seabees and Surface Warfare Officers. And your graduates are serving our nation in every branch of our Armed Services, as sailors projecting American combat power across the Earth; as Marines and soldiers leading platoons from Khandahar to Tikrit; as Coast Guard officers securing our homeland; and as airmen delivering justice to terrorists hiding in safe houses and caves. In the global war on terror, the men and women of this Academy are making a difference on every front -- and the American people are grateful for your service. (Applause.)
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Gabriel Whitney, from Nashua, N.H., hugs President Bush after receiving his diploma at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., Monday June 19, 2006
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave as they depart Waco, Texas to return to Washington after spending the weekend at their ranch in Crawford, Texas Sunday June 18, 2006
President George W. Bush walks with first lady Laura Bush from the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House upon their return to Washington June 18, 2006
Toaster?
I just got back from feeding my horses and here I see looming before me a toaster.
God bless President Bush and Tony Snow.
President Bush leaves the White House, Monday, June 19, 2006, for a trip to Kings Point, N.Y., to deliver the commencement address at The United States Merchant Marine Academy 
Love the pics with Air Force One! Awesome! Thanks snugs!
whoopie
President Bush, center, walks with James Vechery, vice commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, as he walks towards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Monday, June 19, 2006
Gabriel will remember this for the rest of his life, and it will be passed on for generations.
Bet the secret service held their breaths on that one
Thanks for Dose snugs. Not sure how long I will be up tonight but the pix so far are great. RED tie.. impt day!
Howdy #1 :-)
President Bush, right, shakes hands with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, as he lands at JFK International Airport in New York Monday June, 19, 2006. In the center is Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y
toaster winner
Hi Mike....hope you had a nice Fathers Day...
Just missed runner up better luck next time
My pleasure
Hello Dolly :0)
Howdy snugs....
ROTFL!!
I love the photo of the day, too.
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