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

[Humidston]

Thanks for your beautiful report, Angelwood. I got teary-eyed just reading it.

And thanks to the Trooprallys too.

[syriacus]

What an enjoyable thread!

[trooprally]

Actually, I’ve heard that the Code Pink groups are going bonkers over our visit. They are really p.o.ed about FR being there.

So spread the word and gloat as all FReepers should.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

ALL

It’s our pleasure to post and let you all know that FR was there. It is a neat coup on O’Rielly’s ‘hate group’ label.

Daisyscarlett asked what was on the menu. I didn’t taste everything, but here is most of what was there.

Berry topped yogurt cup; sliced fruit tray (Too few pineapple chunks though); biscuit with blueberry and cream cheese topping (you put it on according to your taste); real salty ham in a small ‘toaster strudel’ type outside; baby croissants and several types of danish. Coffee and orange juice flowed freely.

Oh, and each table had a very large banquet of flowers. As the table filled up, everyone had to take the flowers off the table so they could eat.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

Thanks for posting and filling in what we left out. [Mrs] T and I saw the crowd under the tree but couldn’t see who it was around so we kept moving. We thought it was just a group of attendees. Bummer #2.

[Mr] T

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Sorry you missed the group under the tree (Mrs. Bush) - but thank you again for just being there and for your detailed report.

And don’t you love it that Code Pinkos and no doubt DUmmies and the Movon.org trash are infuriated at your wonderful time with the President and Vice President and SEc of State and first lady???? With the heroes of those who have loved ones or who have lost loved ones in battle also there SUPPORTING our President in the war effort?

And then yesterday for the Senate to OVERWHELMINGLY defeat the traitor Dem resolution to stop paying for the war effort ....despite the Hitlary goon tactics everywhere in the media and by the moveon.trash group.

Anyway - thank you all again, thank you, President and Mrs. Bush for having such events and for including our beloved DC chapter.

[trooprally]

Just having DU, et al, upset makes the breakfast worthwhile, even with its disappointments.

[Mr] T

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you for that beautiful and well written writeup of your morning at the White House and time with the President, the First Lady, with VP Cheney, and with Sec of State Rice.

(brings back memories of all those wonderful reports you posted back in the Clinton crime days...may those days NEVER return!)

Am just so thrilled to know you were there to hug and kiss our wonderful President!!!!! OH my!!! And then to be able to talk, even briefly, with VP Cheney and Mrs. Bush....oh my again!

Whoever does the organizing of these events is absolutely the best aren’t they? They have to cover every detail. I don’t know who is in charge of these events, the set up and the food and everything but need to say to those people - well done - good job - and all that.

So glad the obnoxious press moved back into their space ....good to know they CAN listen and behave somewhat decently.

You were with the President and his most faithful and trusted “adivsors”, friends, officials, and family. WHAT an exclusive and delightful group that included the delightful and determined FR DC chapter! Thanks for all your years of service there, Angelwood, and once again, for this delightful report.

[Chieftain]

Angelwood, your report is awesome! You made me feel as if I had experienced it, too! So glad to know that DC chapter FReepers finally got to experience something so special with the President they have supported so aptly!

[maica]

I am still in awe that I was fortunate enough to be invited to the White House and able to meet President Bush, Laura Bush and Vice President Cheney.

@@@@@@

You certainly deserve all those hugs for all the dedication you have given to supoorting our Nation! Thanks for the detailed description of your adventure.

[maica]

You all have mentioned the presence of a large group of media folks at this gathering. Have any of you seen a report by any so-called MSMer? The only (published) report here on FR is by Armed Forces Press Service.

[tgslTakoma]

None that I have seen. I had a word with Kelly O'Donnell on Tuesday, after the President had finished speaking to the assembled group. I was walking back from the friendly photographer section - pro-troops guests - next to the enemedia section, and I wanted to let Ms. O'Donnell know why we dislike and distrust them. I said, "You know, we had a beautiful, patriotic rally on Saturday, with thousands of people who love this country and support our troops and their mission; and you guys were nowhere to be found. You totally ignored our rally and our counter protest of the leftists. You block our view here so we can't get photos, but the photos that you take, you don't even use. There is a reason why we don't like you all."

She stood there, dumbstruck. She looked like she had been hit square in the face.

I said almost the same thing to an AP photographer, too. And they all proved my point when I looked for their news and photos from the event. All of three photos were posted on the photo wire. All Reuters, IIRC. None from AP.

But maybe AP is still busy photoshopping theirs.

[norton]

The DC chapter has earned this sort of honor time and time again.
It's inadequate simply to say we are proud of you, because we're all pretty jealous as well.

[stand watie]

CONGRADS!!!!

i'm PLEASED & HAPPY for you ALL.

free dixie,sw

[SuzanneC]

I’m so glad you took the opportunity to express “our” disgust. I wonder if she really took it to heart.

[jennyjenny]

Thank you both for filling us in on your wonderful day! I’m so thrilled for all of you.

[SuzanneC]

Your report is wonderful. I could really feel myself being there giving that hug to W. You folks truly deserve the recognition for your support of the troops and the nation all these years.

[maica]

And you were very polite, too. I’m glad that you spoke to her.

“You block our view here so we can’t get photos, but the photos that you take, you don’t even use. There is a reason why we don’t like you all.””

[Freedom2specul8]

Yeah, and knowing that DU will NEVER have the clout...just makes a great day. :)

[Freedom2specul8]

Excellent post....am glad you spoke to her. I’ve been bantering back and forth with a local media person wrt equating legal immigrants with illegal immigrants and migration in general. All they have to do is speak to the folks who have immigrated here “legally”...and find out just exactly “how they feel” about people attempting to get a free ride by jumping/crossing the border under cloak and darkness. Many legalized immigrants spent years waiting to get their citizenship. They are so proud and happy because they had to do a LOT, and wait a long time to attain their new status. But for some reason, the media ignores their opinions. The media person said he understood my opinion, and suggessted I send a to the letter to the editor...and that he would pass on my comments about utilizing the correct labels.