Posted on 10/07/2006 5:28:43 PM PDT by silent_jonny
Hi, Mike. Hope you are doing OK Haven't seen you in a while. You are back home now aren't you?
Below in italics are a few excerpts from the president’s speech.
The George H. W. Bush is the latest in the Nimitz line of aircraft carriers. She is unrelenting, she is unshakable, she is unyielding, she is unstoppable. As a matter of fact, probably should have been named the Barbara Bush. (Laughter and applause.)
Former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush
Look who showed up tonight! How are you feeling Mike?
The George H. W. Bush is named for a man who exemplifies the great character of our country. On the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, George H. W. Bush was a teenager, he was a high school senior. Six months later, he was sworn into the Navy. A year later, he received his wings at a ceremony in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here is what he said. He said, "I had an ensign's stripe and an admiral's confidence." (Laughter.) "I was a Navy pilot."
After training, he was assigned to a light carrier. He took part in the Great Turkey Shoot of the Marianas. He knew the horror of kamikaze attacks. He would complete 58 combat missions. These were tough days, but he had something that kept him going. And if you look closely at the photographs of the planes he flew, you will find what kept him going in the name he had painted under his cockpit: Barbara.
The Avenger in flight
One of Dad's most important missions was a strike on a radio tower on an island called Chichi Jima. The Japanese were using that tower to intercept U.S. military radio transmissions and alert the enemy about impending American air strikes.On September 2, 1944, his squadron was given a simple assignment: to take it out. The pilots knew they would face heavy enemy fire, because the Japanese had fortified the island. But Dad and his fellow pilots did their duty without complaint or hesitation. During that raid, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft artillery and it caught on fire. Yet he kept his plane on course, he released his four bombs, and scored four direct hits on that tower. He headed out to sea, he ejected.
Japanese boats were sent out to capture him. And after more than two harrowing hours at sea alone in a rubber life raft, he was rescued by the crew of the USS Finback. For his action, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Yet it is characteristic that from those moments aboard his life raft to this ceremony today, Dad's thoughts have always been of the two fine members of his crew who did not make it home: Radioman Second Class John Delaney and Lieutenant JG Ted White. On that day over Chichi Jima, a young American became a war hero and learned an old lesson: With the defense of freedom comes loss and sacrifice.…
It is my honor to bring to you the 41st President, a great dad, George H. W. Bush. (Applause.) On this proud day, the children of George H. W. Bush bless their father's name, the United States Navy honors his name, and the ship that bears his name sails into this young century as a symbol of American strength and freedom. May God watch over all those who sail this ship, all those who fly from her deck, and all those at home who pray for their safe return.
President George W. Bush hugs his father, Former President George H. W. Bush, after delivering remarks at the Christening Ceremony
Thanks for the inspiring pictures.
Photo of the day is a keeper!
Thanks GEM.
Thanks for your faithful 'subbing' jonny..........you are a literal Godsend for us regular Dosers!
(btw, still unable to watch this ceremony........working on the blank screen as I type).
Doro Bush Koch (R), daughter of former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, breaks a bottle of American sparkling wine to christen the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush in her father's honor in Newport News, Virginia October 7, 2006. 
OH! I love that last photo in #26!
What a great picture....goose bumpie.....but I can't help but sing "It's a Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone....
What a wonderful photo of former Fitst Lady Barbara at the bottom of #24!
President George W. Bush returns a salute to a sailor as he departs the christening ceremony of the USS George H.W. Bush
great pics................thanks
You're surely welcome, onyx. I watched the whole thing and learned a lot about our Navy and its traditions, among other things.
GHWB's voice is huskier now.
Wow. That's a big boat........... :)
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