Posted on 12/15/2006 3:46:46 PM PST by onyx
"The record of Don Rumsfeld's tenure is clear; there has been more profound change at the Department of Defense over the past six years than at any time since the department's creation in the late 1940s.
On his watch, NATO sent its forces to defend a young democracy in Afghanistan more than 3,000 miles from Europe, the first time NATO has deployed outside the North Atlantic area in the history of the alliance."
Most importantly, he worked to establish a culture in the Pentagon that rewards innovation and intelligent risk-taking and encourages our military and civilian leaders to challenge established ways of thinking."
"These changes were not easy to make, but Rumsfelds determination and leadership led to the best equipped, best trained and most experienced military in the world. This man knows how to lead, and he did, and the country is better off for it.
FAREWELL PARADE - From left: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace stand at attention during the Farewell Parade for Secretary Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, Dec. 15, 2006 Defense Dept. Image Hi-Res | Lead Photo Archive
RUMSFELD SPEAKS - Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld speaks during his Farewell Parade at the Pentagon, Dec. 15, 2006 Defense Dept. Image Hi-Res | Lead Photo Archive
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS - President George W. Bush speaks during the Farewell Parade for Secretary Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, Dec. 15, 2006 Defense Dept. Image Hi-Res | Lead Photo Archive
U.S. President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney (C) and outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) walk past an honor guard as they arrive for Rumsfeld's farewell tribute at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, December 15, 2006. Rumsfeld will be replaced by former CIA director Robert Gates. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)
U.S. President George W. Bush pats outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on the back at the end of Rumsfeld's farewell tribute at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, December 15, 2006. Rumsfeld will be replaced by former CIA director Robert Gates. On the far left is Vice President Dick Cheney. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)
U.S. President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney (R) and outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) listen to proceedings at Rumsfeld's farewell tribute at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, December 15, 2006. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES) Email Photo Print
From left, outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Joint Chiefs Chairman, Gen. Peter Pace, right, watch troops march during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review for Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
(I love this pic!) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L), U.S. President George W. Bush (C) and Vice President Dick Cheney attend the Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington December 15, 2006. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)
hi
Do I win?
Outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld rubs his eye as he listens to Vice President Dick Cheney, not shown, during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in his honor, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at the Pentagon. (AP
Not today, my FRiend. : )
Congratualtions!
I think you won last Friday too!
26 seconds...
Thanks! I bet there are a lot of great pics today.
I'm sorry Dog, you're just a little too late.
You missed being first too. :(
Yes, lots of pics. I have selected the ones I like best and hope everyone will add their favorites!
Wonderful pictures, onyx. But, as you say, there were no bad ones at that ceremony today. I fell in love with any number of uniformed men.
B.B. King breaks out in laughter as he's presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, by President George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House. Introducing the musician, President Bush told the audience, when speaking of the blues, "two names are paramount... B.B. King, and his guitar, Lucille. America loves the music of B.B. King, and America loves the man, himself." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush congratulates Ruth Johnson Colvin after presenting her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the East Room of the White House. Said the President, "Ruth Colvin is a person of intelligence and vision and heart. And she has earned the gratitude of many, and the admiration of us all." White House photo by Eric Draper
Dr. Norman C. Francis is honored by President George W. Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the East Room of the White House. President Bush told the audience, "Dr. Francis is known across Louisiana, and throughout our country, as a man of deep intellect and compassion and character... All of us admire the good life and remarkable career of Dr. Norman C. Francis." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
WhooHoo...an early Dose!
And you thought Friday was going to be a "slow day" ;)
President George W. Bush congratulates Dr. Joshua Lederberg after presenting him with the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, during ceremonies at the White House. Said the President, "Joshua Lederberg has always seemed ahead of his time... For his brilliant career, his high ethical standards, and his many contributions to our country, the United States thanks Dr. Joshua Lederberg. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush presents the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the East Room of the White House. Upon introduction, President Bush said, "Norman Mineta's whole life has been an extraordinary journey... he has given his country a lifetime of leadership, devotion to duty and personal character." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush presents the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Warren O'Neil on behalf of his brother, baseball great Buck O'Neil, who passed away at the age of 94 in October. Said the President upon presentation of the honor, "Buck O'Neil lived long enough to see the game of baseball, and America, change for the better. He's one of the people we can thank for that. Buck O'Neil was a legend, and he was a beautiful human being... And we honor the memory of Buck O'Neil." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush honors William Safire with the 2006 President Medal of Freedom during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President of the former White House speech writer and newspaperman, "He's a voice of independence and principle, and American journalism is better for the contributions of William Safire." White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush congratulates Natan Sharansky after honoring him with the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President, "Americans first came to know Natan Sharansky as a voice for freedom inside an empire of tyranny. As a free man, he's become a political leader in Israel. He remains, above all, an eloquent champion for liberty and democracy. We honor Natan Sharansky for his life of courage and conviction." White House photo by Eric Draper
I'm glad you like an "earlier" Dose. It works best for me to post at this hour.
LOL --- goes to show what I know!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.