September 10: With their hands over their hearts, President Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard perform a military pass and review at the Washington Navy Yard, September 10, 2001. The President and Prime Minister spoke to assembled military personnel, shared lunch and spoke privately in the Oval Office.
Stories were exchanged and as President Bush presented Australian Prime Minister Howard with the bell from the USS Canberra, namesake of a famous Australian Navy ship, at a ceremony commemorating 50 years of military alliance. The President had received word of the exceptional action in battle by the Australian Navy, which was steaming alongside American vessels at Guadalcanal. His Majesty's Australian ship Canberra did not survive the battle, disappearing into the depths where she rests today.
