[GretchenM]

"They were the first coalition forces to arrive on the scene after the bombing of Zarqawi's [no longer] safe house. They administered compassionate medical care to a man who showed no compassion to his victims. And when this brutal terrorist took his final breath, one of the last things he saw was the face of an American soldier from Fort Bragg, North Carolina."

"In the weeks since Zarqawi's death, coalition and Iraqi forces have launched more than 190 raids on targets across the country. We've captured more than 700 enemy operatives and killed some 60 more. In these raids, we've uncovered caches of weapons and suicide vests and Iraqi army uniforms to be used as disguises in brutal terrorist attacks. We've seized new intelligence information that is helping us keep the pressure on the terrorists and the insurgents."

[GretchenM]

President Bush arranges the Texas state flag so that it is visible for his photograph with military personnel

At Ft. Bragg (an early birthday cake)

[GretchenM]

There's something very unusual and touching about this photo -- hands extended across humanity --

[Alia]

My daughter and son-in-law saw the President. Called me the minute they could (of course, they weren't able to secure tickets for me...); they were so UP I could hear the joy and excitement in the background.

When the President said this: "And when this brutal terrorist took his final breath, one of the last things he saw was the face of an American soldier from Fort Bragg, North Carolina."

He made my 4th!!! YES YES YES!