A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos) 12-15-06

http://www.defenselink.mil/;http://www.whitehouse.gov/ ^ | 12-15-06 | onyx

[onyx]

Welcome to Sanity Island. It's been a busy and memorable day.

Today, President Bush led the Pentegon's Farewell to Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld.

Full story here.

President Bush, right, congratulates outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, second from left, during a farewell ceremony in his honor at the Pentagon, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman, Gen. Peter Pace, second from right. applaud. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Bush also Honored Medal of Freedom Recipients in the East Room.

Fellow recipients of the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom applaud as President George W. Bush bestows the honor on David McCullough during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President, "This chronicler of other times is one of the eminent Americans of our time. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to a fine author and a fine man." White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Photo of the Day: (but all are wonderful)

Quotes of the Day

"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 Rumsfeld’s 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.”

[onyx]

I think so too.

I loved this photo too.

[ohioWfan]

LOVE the quote! I hope we get to see the picture!

[ohioWfan]

What a man! Oh, MY..........how we'll all miss him!!

[onyx]

Yes, we do. We love them both.

[onyx]

[onyx]

Our three towers of strength.

[ohioWfan]

An amazing triumverate of power, courage and character! WOW!

[onyx]

It's terribly sad to see him go, but by golly he has earned a nice retirement.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the dose and the excellent photos, onyx.

Donald Rumsfeld is a great American. We all owe him much for his many
years of outstanding service to our country.

"These changes were not easy to make, but Rumsfeld’s 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.”

[onyx]

I loved that quote too; so very true --- every word of it.

[altura]

We'll miss Rummy. A job well done. (and little appreciated---by too many)

[onyx]

[ohioWfan]

He sure has! What a life of service he has led!

And he's leaving it with his boss holding his hand in gratitude, and in fitting pomp and circumstance.

It couldn't be better!

[onyx]

US Vice President Dick Cheney's wife, Lynne Cheney (L), applauds as US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's wife, Joyce Rumsfeld, was also honored during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute to Rumsfeld at the Pentagon. Rumsfeld closed six tumultuous years at the helm of the US military with an appeal to Americans not to lose heart in a long and difficult struggle against extremism.(AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)

[onyx]

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld acknowledges applause after speaking at his farewell ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

[silent_jonny]

Mrs. Rumsfeld looks like a good, kind lady ... God bless them both.

[radiohead]

I don't think I've won for awhile. Happy to win today, tho.

[onyx]

Donald H. Rumsfeld, right, is saluted as he is invited to review the troops during his farewell ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld reviews the troops at the Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington December 15, 2006. (Larry Downing/Reuters)

[onyx]

I am thrilled for you too! You have lots of fabulous photos to choose from for your toaster!

[onyx]

She sure does, and I'll bet she's happy she will have him home a lot more. They have more than paid their dues.