Replies

Date: 09/21/2001 02:32 AM EDT
From: A Michigan Family
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: Children's Questions

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you for your very eloquent speech to the Congress.

As my two nine-year-old sons sat with their mother and I listening and watching your speech, my one son asked, " Is all of this because of what happened last week to the people in New York and Washington?" I said, "Yes it is."

He said, "Daddy, this must be pretty important, isn't it?" I said, "Yes it is."

He said, "Couldn't we just close all of the tunnels and bridges and airports to the rest of the world so that no one could get in?" I answered to him that doing that would not let Americans be free. We would be defeating our selves instead of defeating the terrorists.

He said, "Is The President going to make sure that we will be free?" I said that The President, our neighbors, our soldiers, and our family will make sure that America will always be free.

"Good", he said, "This is important. Its good to be free. We should always be free."

My heart swelled with the pride that a father can only feel for his son, knowing that even at nine years old, a boy in America understands what the terrorists will never know.

God Bless us all.

A Michigan Family
Michigan

Date: 09/25/2001 04:13 PM EDT
From: Michael
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: A Great Little Guy

Dear Mr. President,

I just had to tell you about a special little boy, my son. He is 10 years old and has cancer (medulla blastoma) both in the brain and in the spine.

After seeing the New York disaster on television, he said, "Dad, I would like to do something for all those people because I know that there are many who are sicker than I am." Of course tears came into my eyes.

He had spent 12 to 18 hours a day making buttons to sell so he could donate all to the people in New York. A local shopping center, after hearing what he was going to do, let him place his little table with his buttons anywhere, and the television station featured him that night.

He still continues to go to that shopping center in the heat and sells his buttons to help. I know that what he is doing is so very small as compared to what is happening in the rest of the country and all that you are doing, but maybe if you get to read this, you or someone of your staff could just take the time to send him a "hello" as for what little time he may have left to his life. He is a great little guy.

Michael

Date: 09/24/2001 01:28 PM EDT
From: Second Grade Class at Washington Elementary School in Canton, Ohio
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: 2nd Grade "Heroes" poem

Dear Mr. President,

Mrs. Konigsberger's Second Grade Class
Washington Elementary School
Canton, Ohio

"HEROES"
Inspired by "Ground Zero Heroes"
Dedicated to our heroes nationwide

H is for . . .
your helping hands and huge hearts,
the hours of hard work, the headaches,
the heartaches, the heroic acts you do,
and the honor you bring to our country.

E is for . . .
your effort and unending supply of energy,
the excellence in the example that you set,
the eyes that look up to you and look to
you for help, and for the encouragement you
give to everyone every day.

R is for . . .
the real life role models that you are,
your quick response for help and rescue,
for reassuring, recovering, and returning
without the promise of a personal reward.

O is for . . .
all you do for others, overcoming fears,
your occupation of helping and saving,
your obvious dedication and bravery,
and your outstanding commitment to bettering
our world.

E is for . . .
each time you endanger your life to help,
exceeding expectations and going the extra
mile, for the hardships you endure in your
experience, and the education and enrichment
you provide.

S is for . . .
the service and the standards you set for
society, the many selfless acts,
the sacrifice, the lives you save,
the sadness you see, and all of the small
things that seem to go unnoticed.

Date: 09/17/2001 06:33 PM EDT
From: A Soldier
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: We'll Be Ready

Dear Mr. President,

Siimply put ... thank you, Sir.

I'm a First Lieutenant in a National Guard unit in Alabama. You're setting an outstanding example for all forces of the U.S. and the world.

Just say the word, we'll be ready.

A Soldier
"Where Eagles Dare"

Date: 09/21/2001 09:06 PM EDT
From: Keith
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: Re-enlist Wishes

Dear Mr. President,

Your speech tonight was glorious and inspirational. I have proudly served my country for over 21 years in the United States Air Force. I had planned on submitting my retirement paperwork next month; however, will now re-enlist as soon as I can. I'm proud to do so and proud you are my Commander. God bless you and the United States of America.

Keith

Date: 09/20/2001 01:54 PM EDT
From: John
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: I am an American

Dear Mr. President,

I am an American.
I am not of one color, but of many.
My forefathers are not from one country, but from all countries.
I have brothers and sisters from Washington state to Washington D.C.,
from California to the Carolinas, from Hawaii to New Hampshire,
from Alaska to Alabama, and from Minnesota to Mississippi.

I am an American.
I believe in the importance of sharing Thanksgiving Dinner with your family,
and Fourth of July parades with your community.
I enjoy the peace of Christmas Day, and the excitement of New Year's Eve.

I am an American.
I believe in a kind and benevolent God,
Who does not condone the taking of innocent life.
I believe our worth is measured not by what we have,
but by what we do.

I am an American.
I believe in Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
And I believe in the Pledge of Allegiance to Our Flag.

I AM AN AMERICAN,
AND I WILL NOT ALLOW
OUR FREEDOM TO BE DEFEATED!

John
Rome, New York