A day in the life of President Bush (photos): 5/27/02

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov

[rintense]

President Bush continued his European trip today with a Memorial Day ceremony at Normandy, France. The President then continued on to Italy, where he was greeted by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Bush will join the 19 NATO leaders together with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit at an Italian air force base Tuesday. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya!

Text of President Bush's Speech at Normandy (keep the tissues handy):

Mr. President and Mrs. Chirac; Secretary Powell and Secretary Principi; members of the United States Congress; members of the American Armed Services; veterans; family members; fellow Americans; and friends: We have gathered on this quiet corner of France as the sun rises on Memorial Day in the United States of America. This is a day our country has set apart to remember what was gained in our wars, and all that was lost.

Our wars have won for us every hour we live in freedom. Our wars have taken from us the men and women we honor today, and every hour of the lifetimes they had hoped to live.

This day of remembrance was first observed to recall the terrible casualties of the war Americans fought against each other. In the nearly 14 decades since, our nation's battles have all been far from home. Here on the continent of Europe were some of the fiercest of those battles, the heaviest losses, and the greatest victories.

And in all those victories American soldiers came to liberate, not to conquer. The only land we claim as our own are the resting places of our men and women.

More than 9,000 are buried here, and many times that number have -- of fallen soldiers lay in our cemeteries across Europe and America. From a distance, surveying row after row of markers, we see the scale and heroism and sacrifice of the young. We think of units sustaining massive casualties, men cut down crossing a beach, or taking a hill, or securing a bridge. We think of many hundreds of sailors lost in their ships.

The war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, told of a British officer walking across the battlefield just after the violence had ended. Seeing the bodies of American boys scattered everywhere, the officer said, in sort of a hushed eulogy spoken only to himself, "Brave men, brave men."

All who come to a place like this feel the enormity of the loss. Yet, for so many, there is a marker that seems to sit alone -- they come looking for that one cross, that one Star of David, that one name. Behind every grave of a fallen soldier is a story of the grief that came to a wife, a mother, a child, a family, or a town.

A World War II orphan has described her family's life after her father was killed on a field in Germany. "My mother," she said, "had lost everything she was waiting for. She lost her dreams. There were an awful lot of perfect linen tablecloths in our house that never got used, so many things being saved for a future that was never to be."

Each person buried here understood his duty, but also dreamed of going back home to the people and the things he knew. Each had plans and hopes of his own, and parted with them forever when he died.

The day will come when no one is left who knew them, when no visitor to this cemetery can stand before a grave remembering a face and a voice. The day will never come when America forgets them. And our nation and the world will always remember what they did here, and what they gave here for the future of humanity.

As dawn broke during the invasion, a little boy in the village off of Gold Beach called out to his mother, "Look, the sea is black with boats." Spread out before them and over the horizon were more than 5,000 ships and landing craft. In the skies were some of the 12,000 planes sent on the first day of Operation Overlord. The Battle of Normandy would last many days, but June 6th, 1944, was the crucial day.

The late President, Francois Mitterrand, said that nothing in history compares to D-day. "The 6th of June," he observed, "sounded the hour when history tipped toward the camp of freedom." Before dawn, the first paratroopers already had been dropped inland. The story is told of a group of French women finding Americans and imploring them not to leave. The trooper said, "We're not leaving. If necessary, this is the place we die."

Units of Army Rangers on shore, in one of history's bravest displays, scaled cliffs directly in the gunfire, never relenting even as comrades died all around them. When they had reached the top, the Rangers radioed back the code for success: "Praise the Lord."

Only a man who is there, charging out of a landing craft, can know what it was like. For the entire liberating force, there was only the ground in front of them -- no shelter, no possibility of retreat. They were part of the largest amphibious landing in history, and perhaps the only great battle in which the wounded were carried forward. Survivors remember the sight of a Catholic chaplain, Father Joe Lacey, lifting dying men out of the water, and comforting and praying with them. Private Jimmy Hall was seen carrying the body of his brother, Johnny, saying, "He can't, he can't be dead. I promised Mother I'd look after him."

Such was the size of the Battle of Normandy. Thirty-eight pairs of brothers died in the liberation, including Bedford and Raymond Hoback of Virginia, both who fell on D-Day. Raymond's body was never found. All he left behind was his Bible, discovered in the sand. Their mother asked that Bedford be buried here, as well, in the place Raymond was lost, so her sons would always be together.

On Memorial Day, America honors her own. Yet we also remember all the valiant young men and women from many allied nations, including France, who shared in the struggle here, and in the suffering. We remember the men and women who served and died alongside Americans in so many terrible battles on this continent, and beyond.

Words can only go so far in capturing the grief and sense of loss for the families of those who died in all our wars. For some military families in America and in Europe, the grief is recent, with the losses we have suffered in Afghanistan. They can know, however, that the cause is just and, like other generations, these sacrifices have spared many others from tyranny and sorrow.

Long after putting away his uniform, an American GI expressed his own pride in the truth about all who served, living and dead. He said, "I feel like I played my part in turning this from a century of darkness into a century of light."

Here, where we stand today, the new world came back to liberate the old. A bond was formed of shared trial and shared victory. And a light that scattered darkness from these shores and across France would spread to all of Europe -- in time, turning enemies into friends, and the pursuits of war into the pursuits of peace. Our security is still bound up together in a transatlantic alliance, with soldiers in many uniforms defending the world from terrorists at this very hour.

The grave markers here all face west, across an ageless and indifferent ocean to the country these men and women served and loved. The thoughts of America on this Memorial Day turn to them and to all their fallen comrades in arms. We think of them with lasting gratitude; we miss them with lasting love; and we pray for them. And we trust in the words of the Almighty God, which are inscribed in the chapel nearby: "I give unto them eternal life, that they shall never perish."

GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS, PAST AND PRESENT

[Kaslin]

I just received this in my email from a chat friend

The 13 Folds Of The American Flag:

Have you ever wondered why the flag of the United States of America is folded 13 times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at the burial of a veteran? Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you.

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of all the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as Americans citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decature, "Our country, in dealing with other countries may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, there love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of this country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in there eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust". After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by the comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

The next time you see a flag ceremony honoring someone that has served our country, either in the Armed Forces or in our civilian services such as the Police Force or Fire Department, keep in mind all the important reasons behind each and every movement.

They have paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us by honoring our flag and our Country

[kayak]

rintense ~~~ you have done a superb job with the Dose during this extended trip of the President's. (You're probably suffering from fatigue and jet lag just from posting all the pics!)

Thank you ever so much. We do appreciate your efforts so much!

[ohioWfan]

He's part German, but I'm 100% Swedish! He just started German in 8th grade, and had 5 years in HS, and another year in College, and loves the language.

He's had some good classes. One called Political Quest, another on WWI, one called Communism and post-Communism, which he thought was really interesting (and hard). He's had one class on International Relations, Macro-Economics Christianity and the World Religions, and of course all the required non poli-sci classes.

He's had tough classes so far. How about you?

[kayak]

Welcome home!!!

It's so good to have you back with us. Please know that you and your family will stay in our prayers, especially Son #2.

[Kath]

Ohio!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back!!!!

[3D-JOY]

May I join you in that lovely Thank You?

I'd to add another rose of my very favorite color too!

[rintense]

Welcome back my friend! Congrats on the graduation, and know that we will always be here for you.

[Kath]

There's Bush Babes Everywhere!!!!

[rintense]

Well said. Thank you for the beautiful post.

[ohioWfan]

Hey, hey, hey!! Hi to you both!

It's good to be back, looking at pictures of our startlingly handsome President and lovely First Lady, together with good friends!

[Kath]

Probaby describing Tommy Daschele in inches.

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, rintense. I know that you'll be here for me, and I appreciate it more than you know.

I'll be typing through my tears in 2 weeks. I know that too.

[SevenofNine]

OHH NO PROBLEM Actually that one thing smack chat universe give props to it We goof on everything else NOT US Miltary or our Allies especially IDF Troops WE LOVE Israel miltary Your son is joining the US MILTARY RACKKKKKK HIMMMMM

[Kath]

Wouldn't you like to be a little fly on the wall to know what he was whispering to her???!!!!

[ohioWfan]

Did your brother stay in the Navy? Our son is considering a career in the Army. He's in the Reserves now, and will start college second semester next year, but he's thinking about a career in the military.

[ohioWfan]

Oh, indeed I would! Whatever it was, I know it was loving, and that she liked hearing it!

I happened to see a video clip of them getting off the plane in Moscow, and they were holding hands, smiling, and talking to and looking at each other.

Almost like they were glad to see each other after all that time apart! ......I tell you, there were fireworks in Berlin! ;o)

[Kath]

I think the President hit the nail on the head when he got upset with the reporter that asked him why Europeans did not seem to like him or his administration. Bush's response was to ask him why he did not see the people who lined the streets waving American flags. The liberal media is not about to show that. They want the American People to believe Europeans hate us. The media is liberal, we all know it, they know it and they are not about to report the news even close to fairly when a Republican President is in office.

[McLynnan]

Glad to see you back here. Did you have any luck with the President's Dinner pictures?

[Kath]

Hey Cnn and MSNBC carried it. That is an improvement. They never carry anything he does. Usually just show clips that aren't flattering to the President. When they carry it live they can't pick out something they thing will show him in a bad light. That is partly why some of these bozos don't cover him live.

[Kath]

gosh Ohio, you don't like the guy much, do you??? LOLOLOL