Remarks by the President During Commander-In-Chief Trophy Event
The South Portico
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thank you all for coming. It's my honor to welcome you all to the White House. I want to thank the Generals who are here, and the members of the congressional delegation that have come. Most of all, I want to welcome Coach DeBerry and the Fighting Falcons of the United States Air Force Academy. (Applause.)
The seniors on this team completed their careers with a 37 and 12 record. It's the next-to-best record of any group of seniors in academy history, and I want to congratulate you all. (Applause.)
I know you all take special pride in your coach; he's got an outstanding record as well. This is the 12th time in 17 seasons under Coach DeBerry that the Falcons have won the Commander-In-Chief Trophy.
I thought it was interesting that the first time he brought his seniors to the White House was in 1986. Ronald Reagan was still the President, the Berlin Wall still stood, windows were something that you washed. (Laughter.)
As Coach DeBerry reminded everyone at last year's White House ceremony, Presidents come and go, but coaches do not have term limits. (Laughter.) Coach, a word of caution: (Laughter.) Winning this trophy is supposed to be a struggle, not a hobby. (Laughter.) And the truth is, if you spend any more time in Washington, the folks back in Colorado Springs are going to start saying, you're out of touch. (Laughter.)
I love Coach DeBerry's motto -- faith, family and Falcons. This is a man who has his priorities straight. And they must be, because he's not just recruiting football talent, he's recruiting character. He's not just recruiting to win football games, he's recruiting to win our nation's wars, if we have one.
These seniors know that conference titles, bowl victories and trophies are not nearly as important as the solemn oath they will take in just a few weeks as newest officers in the world's finest Air Force. Today, we honor the history that you've made on the playing field. But we look forward to even more of the history you will make serving our nation.
Coach DeBerry, if the past is prologue, I suspect you, too, will have a bright future. And you've got an opener next season with another team that recently visited the White House: The mighty Oklahoma Sooners. And my hope is that you try to soften them up a bit before they play the Texas teams. (Laughter.)
But it's my honor to congratulate you; and congratulations in advance for the service you will render to our fabulous nation.
God bless. (Applause.)
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
President George W. Bush records the weekly radio address for Cinco de Mayo in the Cabinet Room. This is the first time that a president has recorded the radio address in Spanish and in English. WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY ERIC DRAPER
*sigh*
Gee, how I miss that man! Sanity no longer rules anywhere
but here!
Echoing what the others have said so far - THANK YOU!!!
Certainly, a breath of fresh air, after what we’ve been having to see the last 100 days!!!
THANKS!!
We prayed for a righteous and upright leader, and the Lord provided that - for His purposes. Now, He has permitted an unrighteous and haughty leader. This too will be for His purposes. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Thoroughly enjoying my trip to Sanity Island...thank you!!
Oh how I miss him...
I wasn’t a big fan of President Bush on alot of issues. I always saw him as a moderate Democrat rather than a conservative.
BUT.....God I miss him now!
Oh, my. It’s so nice to see pictures of a REAL President, again.
WOW !! I was so glad to see these. Thanks for the post.
The good ole days! I miss President Bush more and more each day. I felt much safer and my wallet was less threatened under his leadership. Sigh - its gonna be a long 4 years.
I so wish President Bush were still in the White House. I’m sure, though, that he is very happy to be where he is and NOT in the White House. What a mess the Won has made in such a short time. How will we last 4 years??
A huge thank you for this. I miss him so much and Cheney.
Thanks for the post!!!!
Thank You!
Ah, yes. Back in the day when grownups served the American people through competent and honest government. How far we’ve fallen since 11/4/08!
WOW, Snugs, Thank You!!
TC
I cannot even stand to look at That One, and I try not to have to listen to him speak. When he comes on the TV, I turn the channel.
Thank you for these. It’s wonderful to remember how good it was for eight years.
President Bush and Laura Bush were pure class. I feel if we are in a nightmare at the present time.