Freepers, I've been lurking for some time now, and I knew THIS was the event to take the plunge and post something. I had the unique privilege to attend Mr. Bush's address to the servicemembers at Eglin Air Force Base on Monday, me being one of them. Nothing I've seen on television, to include his inauguration, State of the Union addresses, and War on Terrorism addresses, can compare to being in that hangar Monday morning.
I got there about an hour before he was scheduled to speak, and I was extremely late. The hangar is HUGE, and I was about 3/4 of the distance across the hangar from the stage. The audience was noisy with antici-PA-tion. From what I could see, the audience was entirely military and families, with maybe a few civic leaders thrown in. The first wave of cheering started when Air Force One was spotted on final approach into the base. A beautiful airplane, and not just by its intrinsic value. Then the audience REALLY started humming.
When he was introduced (by Jeb, who else?), it was plaining evident by his posture, by the way he travelled back and forth across the stage, and by the genuine warm smile on the man's face as he waved to his audience and his airmen, he was happy to be there. I can't speak for my fellow airmen, but I believe, judging from the length and volume of the applause and whistling, we displayed our appreciation, our respect, and our commitment to our Commander-in-Chief. That, plus we were happier-than-hell that he stopped by to say "hi". After his arrival on stage, while he was being introduced by Jeb, Dubyah took a seat. He wasn't postured. The man SLOUCHED in his chair! It wasn't a casual slouch, either. It was the kind of comfortable chair-slouching that proper mothers everywhere (including his, if she would've been there) would reprimand their sons for doing by smacking them on the head.
I don't want to go into details of his speech on this post, because I think it should have its own thread. I will share a few bits, though. He mentioned a local airman that had just returned from the front lines in time to be with his (the airman's) wife for the birth of their first children, TWINS! He congratulated the family, then he said something to the effect of "As a father of twins myself, you're gonna be busy," alluding to the stories of his twins that have made the evening news and supermarket rags. There were a few other comments along those same lines.
He then went into his proposed FY 2003 DoD budget, and the resulting military pay raises. Raised the roof with that info. Got into discussing the involvement of the local military community in the war on terrorism. After he finished speaking, he turned to those airmen you see pictured behind him, went down the line and shook everyone's hand (that he could get to). I remember seeing a news clip of ex-President Clinton during his term, in the same scenario (maybe from Bosnia, or somewhere): moving down a line of troops on stadium seats, he was shaking hands, but what struck me was he was HAVING TO REACH INTO FORMATION to get a handshake from anyone past the first row. Dubyah didn't have that problem. He then came down into the floor audience, and pressed flesh all the way out the door. I think he would have been perfectly happy, time permitting, to work his way around the entire hangar (of 7 or 8 thousand people). One of the things that struck me as interesting was the relaxed posture of the Secret Service. I got the impression that they were there, not because they NEEDED to be there, but only because they HAD to be there. Even though there was a crowd around the President, they didn't appear to be worried he might get mobbed or crushed by the crowd. Mutual respect all around.
I can't describe well enough in words the atmosphere in that hangar. Suffice to say, I'm just starting to come down from my high, and the buzz should last for quite a while. It was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Definitely tops the New Year's Eve party at Trafalgar Square in London in 1989/90.
I can well imagine it will stay with you. I am so glad for you that you had that wonderful opportunity.
Thank you for your service to our Country.
And welcome to FR!!!
What a hoot! But I guess it goes to show just how comfortable Dubya was with the airmen!
AF_Blue, I'm glad you joined us. I haven't been here long but the people are great. I've made some wonderful friends so far! Stay and post. It's addictive. LOL
God bless!