Posted on 01/10/2009 4:01:13 PM PST by daisyscarlett
President George W. Bush and his family traveled to Norfolk VA today to participate in the commissioning ceremony of the George H.W. Bush (CVN 7) in Norfolk, Va. Vice President Cheney and Mrs. Cheney also attended this event.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH THE PRESIDENT GAVE. PLEASE READ. IT IS AWESOME.
SNIFF SNIFF… This was the President’s last scheduled flight on Air Force One as the sitting president
The President delivered his weekly radio address. In Focus: Defense.
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US President George W. Bush waves as he boards Air Force One for his last scheduled flight as the sitting president at Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009. Bush took his last official Air Force One flight on Saturday to Virginia for a ceremony to place a warship named after his father into active duty.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
I want to thank you all for coming. Laura and I are thrilled to be here to help commission an awesome ship and to honor an awesome man: President George H.W. Bush. (Applause.)
To prepare for this day, I went back through some of my father's letters. I thought it was especially interesting to read one that he wrote in the late 1940s. He sent it to a friend -- and here's what he said, he said, "You should see Georgie now. Whenever I come home he greets me and talks a blue streak, sentences disjointed of course." (Laughter.) "He tries to say everything, and the results are often hilarious." (Laughter.) Some things do not change. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, I gave my official farewell speech to the men and women of America's Armed Forces in a ceremony at Fort Myer, Virginia. For the past eight years, I have had no higher honor than serving as the Commander-in-Chief of these brave patriots. And when Laura and I depart for Texas later this month, we will take with us many inspiring memories of the valor that we have seen these brave Americans display time and again.
We saw their valor on September the 11th, 2001, in service members rushing into smoke-filled corridors to save their colleagues at the Pentagon, and in planes patrolling the skies above New York City and Washington D.C.
We saw their valor in the days after that attack, when Americans crowded into recruiting centers across our country, raised their hands to serve, and pledged to defend our people and our freedom.
We saw their valor in the forces who deployed to Afghanistan within weeks of 9/11, closed down the terrorist training camps, and drove the Taliban from power.
We saw their valor in the fearless troops who stormed across the Iraqi desert -- and destroyed a regime that threatened America.
We saw their valor in battle-tested warriors who signed up for a second, or third, or fourth tour -- and made the troop surge in Iraq that I announced two years ago today one of the great successes in American military history.
America's Armed Forces have liberated more than 50 million people around the world -- and made our Nation safer. They have taken the fight to the terrorists abroad so that we have not had to face them here at home. And the world has seen something that almost no one thought possible: More than seven years after September the 11th, there has not been another terrorist attack on American soil.
This is no coincidence. In addition to our military, many other Americans have worked tirelessly to ensure our safety in the years since 9/11. Law enforcement officials have worked to secure our country and remained watchful against future attacks. Intelligence analysts have tracked information that allowed us to disrupt terrorist plots before they reached our shores. And homeland security agents have worked to secure our ports, our borders, and our skies.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all of these patriots. Because of their devotion to service, many Americans live their lives without the fear and uncertainty that they felt in the days just after 9/11. This continued safety has been a blessing -- but we must never allow it to foster complacency. America still faces sworn enemies intent on striking our Nation and our people. And we must remain vigilant for as long as that threat remains.
I know that our men and women in uniform have remained vigilant. These Americans answer the call to defend freedom when it is under attack. They put their lives on the line to defend democracy and keep our country safe. And they inspire a Nation with their selflessness and their courage. I am proud to have served as their Commander-in-Chief.
Thank you for listening.
President George W. Bush leaves the Oval Office to board Marine One as he departs the White House, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, to participate in the commissioning ceremony of the George H.W. Bush (CVN 7) in Norfolk, Va.
President George W. Bush, right, shakes hand with his son-in-law Henry Hager, center, and first lady Laura Bush, left, as they prepare to board Marine One as they depart the White House, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, to participate in the commissioning ceremony of the George H.W. Bush (CVN 7) in Norfolk, Va.
President George W. Bush walks to board Marine One as he departs the White House, Saturday, Jan. 10,
Marine One carrying US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush departs the South Lawn of the White House January 10, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Bush is traveling to Norfolk, Virginia to attend a commissioning ceremony for the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), an aircraft carrier named for his father. 
The Marine One helicopter with US President George W. Bush on board flies past the Washington monument in Washington, DC on January 10, 2009. President Bush is going to participate in the Commissioning Ceremony of the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in Norfolk, Virginia.
US President George W. Bush (L) waves as he and his wife Laura board Air Force One before departing for a visit to Norfolk at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, January 10, 2009.
President George W. Bush waves as he and first lady Laura Bush step off Marine One upon their arrival to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. President Bush is traveling to Norfolk, Va
President George W. Bush waves as he is escorted by Brig. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward,Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. Bush is traveling to Norfolk, Va.
greetings to you
WWII veteran and turret gunner from Squadron 51 aboard the USS San Jacinto, Charlie Peter, of Sacramento, Ca., wears a cowboy hat in honor of former President George H.W. Bush prior to commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
Veterans and family from the USS San Jancinto, the carrier that former President George H. W. Bush was stationed, wear cowboy hats in his honor and take photos of the ship prior to commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
Deck crew members watch the Marine One helicopter carrying US President George W. Bush for the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, named for Bush's father, at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009.
Former President George H. W. Bush, left, and his wife Barbara Bush step off Marine One as they land on the deck of the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN77) aircraft carrier, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, in Norfolk, Va.
US President George W. Bush drives a golf cart with his mother Barbara Bush (R) and other family members to the commissioning ceremony on the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, named for Bush's father, at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009.
US President George W. Bush (R) walks with his mother Barbara Bush as they arrive for the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009.
Former US President George H.W. Bush (R) and his son President George W. Bush (L) stand together during the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009.
Former US President George H.W. Bush (2nd L) and his son President George W. Bush (R) attend the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009. Also pictured are Vice President Dick Cheney (L) and the ship's commanding officer US Navy Captain Kevin O'Flaherty (2nd R).
Sailors hold their covers as they run up the gangway to man the bring the ship to life during commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
A sailor runs past former President George H.W. Bush, center, Barbara Bush, left, and ship captain Kevin O'Flaherty, right during commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
Former President George H.W. Bush, presents the longglass as a symbol of setting the watch to Lt. Cmdr. George Brickhouse, right, as President George W. Bush, center watches during commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
President George W. Bush, center, and his wife, Laura, right listen as his father former President George H.W. Bush speaks during commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
A sailor takes a picture with his mobile phone during the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009.
President George W. Bush, right, watches a fly-by along with his father former President George H.W. Bush, left, and ship sponsor, Dorothy Bush Koch, center, during commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush (R) looks up at the ship named for him during the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009. Also pictured is Bush's son, U.S. President George W. Bush (C).
A World War II Avenger torpedo bomber similar to the plane flown by former President George H.W. Bush, does a flyby during commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
Former US President George H.W. Bush (C) listens to remarks during the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009. Also pictured are his wife Barbara Bush (6th R), son US President George W. Bush (4th R), and first lady Laura Bush (3rd R).
Former US President George H.W. Bush (centre L) and his son President George W. Bush (centre R) take part in the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009. Also pictured is Vice President Dick Cheney (2nd L).
Former US President George H.W. Bush takes to the lectern for the commissioning ceremony on the deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, January 10, 2009.
President George W. Bush addresses the crowd christening ceremonies during ceremonies for the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009
President George W. Bush, right, speaks as his father former President George H.W. Bush, seated center, and wife, Barbara, left, listen during christening ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
President George W. Bush and his father former President George H.W. Bush wave to the crowd after commissioning ceremonies for the USS George H.W. Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is at right.
Former President George H. W. Bush, right, hugs his son President Bush following the commissioning ceremony for the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN77) aircraft carrier, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, in Norfolk, Va.
US President George W. Bush (C) puts on his raincoat as he departs after a visit with Air Force One crew members, called the Presidential Airlift Group, at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, January 10, 2009. Bush took his last official Air Force One flight on Saturday to Virginia for a ceremony to place a warship named after his father into active duty.
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