D.C. Chapter Invited to Meet President Bush at White House Troop Support Event (Photos)

Photos by TgslTakoma and Mrs. Trooprally | Tuesday, September 18, 2007 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

President Bush and Angelwood

Mr. Trooprally

Mrs. Trooprally

Front: Angelwood, tgslTakoma; debm29palms. Middle: Kristinn, Flib, Mr. Trooprally, ponsdorf. Back: Laura Youngblood.

President and Mrs. Bush

Vice President Cheney and Angelwood

Angelwood, Karen Hughes, Mrs. Trooprally

SEcretary of State Rice

President Bush with military families.

Members of the D.C. Chapter of FreeRepublic.com were invited to the White House today for an event for troop support organizations with President Bush. Other groups included Vets for Freedom (in the beige polo shirts), Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission (in the red polos shirts), Move America Forward, Gathering of Eagles, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

It was a beautiful and moving day. The President spent what seemed like two hours meeting with everyone who wanted to speak with him. There were many Gold and Blue Star parents there who wanted to tell the President they still support the mission.

During the President's speech, the crowd erupted in to a loud, boisterous chant of "USA! USA! USA!" Yep, the Freeper table started it, LOL!

The Presidents' speech:

President Bush Meets with Military Support Organizations

South Lawn

9:07 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming. Laura and I are honored to welcome you here to the South Lawn. Welcome to the people's house. (Applause.) First, I'd like to thank Katy Benko for singing the national anthem. It's not only a beautiful morning to sing the national anthem, it's a beautiful setting in which to sing the national anthem. Katy's husband, Ryan, is deployed to Iraq. Katy, make sure you email him and tell him how appreciative we are of your service, and tell him how appreciative all of us are of your voice. (Applause.)

Laura and I want to thank the members of our -- my administration for joining us. Mr. Vice President, we're really thrilled you're here. Thank you for coming, sir. (Applause.) Secretary of State Condi Rice is with us today. Madam Secretary, appreciate you being here. (Applause.) Secretary Jim Nicholson of the Veterans Affairs Administration; thanks for coming, Jim. (Applause.)

For you veterans who are here, there is no more solemn obligation by your government to make sure you have all it takes to -- for your health care, and for your support. I feel a very strong obligation, since it was my decision that committed young men and women into combat, to make sure our veterans who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan get all the help this government can possibly provide. (Applause.)

I appreciate the Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren, for joining us; the Secretary of the Navy, Don Winter; General "Hoss" Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Sandee. By the way, General Cartwright is a Marine. (Applause.) I'm not playing to the crowd or anything. (Laughter.)

I want to welcome members of this crowd who have lost a loved one in this war against terror. Our hearts go out to you. We love you. The best way to honor the sacrifices that your loved one made, as well as the sacrifice you have made, is to accomplish the mission, is to achieve the peace. (Applause.)

Laura and I welcome the families who have got a loved one overseas, whether it be in Iraq or Afghanistan, fighting these extremists and terrorists. The best way to honor your loved one is to make sure that he or she has the full support of the United States government as you accomplish the mission that we have set. (Applause.) By the way, for the loved ones here, I fully understand the best way to sustain a volunteer army is to make sure you're happy -- (laughter) -- is to make sure you've got good housing; to make sure that you've got good health care; to make sure that you understand that we know that you're in this fight along with your husband or wife or son or daughter. And that's exactly how this administration feels. (Applause.)

For the veterans who are here, for those of you who are veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan, thank you for volunteering in the face of danger. (Applause.) And for the people who aren't veterans yet, still remain on active duty, thanks for wearing the uniform of the greatest country on the face of the Earth. We're proud of you. (Applause.)

I want to thank the service organizations and those who have come together to support our families and our troops. I can't tell you how important it is for organizations like the Vets for Freedom or the VFW or the American Legion and other groups to -- Gold Star Mothers, got you, okay, thank you -- Blue Star Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, all the mothers, yes. (Applause.) Every day is Mother's Day as far as your concerned, isn't it? (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Don't forget the dads.

THE PRESIDENT: And the dads, yes. I knew this was going to happen. (Laughter.) Yes, the wives; okay, fine. (Laughter.) Everybody is supporting our troops. I want to thank you for doing it. (Applause.)

It's important people hear from you. It's important people hear your voice. And I want to thank you for organizing. I want to thank you not only for the grassroots support of our families, I want to thank you for going up to Capitol Hill. And here's a message I hope you deliver: The Commander-in-Chief wants to succeed -- (applause) -- and the Commander-in-Chief takes seriously the recommendations of our military commanders. General Petraeus came back to the United States to deliver the recommendations he made to me. Inherent in his recommendations is, one, his belief we're succeeding, his belief we will succeed, and I ask the United States Congress to support the troop levels and the strategies I have embraced. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. When the history books are finally written about this chapter in the war against extremists and radicals, they will recognize certain truths: one, that we recognize that if we were to retreat from the Middle East the enemy would not be content to remain where they are, but they would follow us here. We recognize that the best way to protect our homeland is to defeat an enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here on the streets of America. And we recognize that liberty is powerful, that liberty will yield the peace that we want for generations to come; that will recognize that this generation of Americans did the hard work now, so that future generations could live in security and peace.

And so on this beautiful morning we thank you for your steadfast resolve, we appreciate your support of those brave souls who have volunteered in the face of the danger. We ask for God's blessings on the families and our troop in harm's way. And we thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts. God bless you all. (Applause.)

END 9:15 A.M. EDT

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for sharing this awesome experience with all of us!

[pissant]

Thanks for sharing this!!! Big bump.

[Bahbah]

I’m so thrilled for all of you I can hardly stand it.

[Enterprise]

Thank you.

[dmd25]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your report. I can’t imagine your pain upon realizing that one way exit! Ugh!
I am so proud of our president, and also so grateful for all the support you have given to the troops. I bet you will get your photo back. Let us know!

[trooprally]

We’ll keep you apprised. Maybe President Bush will read our report and invite us personally to retrieve our son’s picture. On can always dream.

[Mr] T

[W04Man]

Congrats

[bray]

Thanks for the report rally. We are all very happy and proud for you. Great story.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[GunsareOK]

No one deserves this more than you guys!

[daisyscarlett]

Wow...thanks for the additional information and report. What was on the menu? And when did W get a new puppy and what kind is it?

I echo the sentiments of others on the thread...We are all so very proud of the D.C. Chapter and other FReepers who have joined them in their many FReeps.

[Freedom2specul8]

I really was interested in more of the details, so thank you for a great description of what happened. I’m sorry you missed the President first hand...but oh, what a story and memories to have, and great photos too! I just can’t be more excited for all of you.

I still remember the days when we saw “Angelwood” on C-span sitting on or near the back row during the impeachment hearings,....(at least I think that’s what they were). I noticed she has a new hairdo... (GRIN) So cool and awesome to see people from all over the U.S. get together with common goals and actually receive rewards for their hard labor. FreeRepublic has grown so much, it’s hard to believe it’s been 9-10 yrs!!

Thank you for sharing!!! (and nice to meet you too)

[freema]

Trooprallys’ AAR

[USMCPOP]

That’s all right. I went on a Patriot Guard Mission on Monday to welcome back a group of 176 soldiers from the 148th Quartermaster Company at Fort Lee, VA. All back intact! I got a few great hugs, and we even managed to escort one soldier back to his humble house nearby the base. It doesn’t get any better than that, I tell you.

[firebrand]

And all the other DC freepers who showed up at Walter Reed and did so many other wonderful things: A momentous day for you guys, so well deserved. Congratulations and thanks for the pix.

[armymarinemom]

Thansk for the report. I was really upset when I heard that you didn’t get to shake hands with the President. Dog gone it. No pun intended.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you and Mrs. Trooprally for this more detailed report of your momentous day’s events! That you even got to be there on the Lawn with the President, the First Lady, the Vice President, with Sec. Rice, and with Gen. Petraeus?, wow - just the very BEST company for you - and for all in the DC chapter - and visa versa! Our President is a HERO as are all of you!

As are all our fine and brave Americans in our military.

A special thank you for Mrs. Trooprally for keeping the mediabots in line!!! And out of your way, I hope!

Their presence would have been, for me, the only negative thing of the day......having preferred to have been in a totally 100% supportive group of our military!

And this “secret” ......oooooo....a new puppy!!!! The puppy doesn’t look like a Scottie, is he? We need NEWS about this puppy!!!! (snugs - do you have any more info about this cutie little new puppy that President Bush has???)

I know that if you will call the White House, they will find a way to get your picture of your son back!!!!! And maybe with a signature!!!!

Thanks again for your report and hope we can hear more from others - Angelwood, Kristinn? Or is it necessary to not talk too much about it all? It’s ok if so.

Mega congrats for all of your years of faithfulness in the good fight and this wonderful reward.

[4integrity]

Thank you, so much, for your post.....soooo sorry you didn’t get to meet the President. You and Mrs Trooprally sure deserve a handshake by the President. I’m sure, though, the White House walk about and meeting Condi and Karen was terrific. And, I LOVE that Mrs. T corraled the media into their pen...we need her to work with Dana Perrino at White House pressers.....lol !

I’m so glad Kristinn, you, Mrs T, tgslTakoma got to go to the White House event. You are all so dedicated. God bless each and every one of you who attend the Friday night Walter Reed salutes to our troops....you are true patriots.

[DollyCali]

great report sir! thank you for the ping & great detailing.. BUT WHAT? a new dog? I didn't know that!

[maxter]

Thanks for that report. Fabulous.

[MEG33]

Terrific photo!