A day in the life of President Bush (photos): 2/4/03

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov, netscape.com

[rintense]

In a day filled with emotions, tributes, and tears, President Bush and First Lady Laura attended the memorial service for the astronauts whose lives were lost in the space shuttle Columbia tragedy on Saturday. The President spoke to the crowd of at least 10,000 teary eyed mourners, and eulogized the Columbia crew. In the closing moments of his speech, Bush spoke to the children of the crew by saying, 'And to the children who miss your Mom or Dad so much today, you need to know, they love you, and that love will always be with you. They were proud of you. And you can be proud of them for the rest of your life.' The First Couple returned to Washington this evening. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya.

[Bama Tom]

The link is to a tribute to the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia astronauts. It is mostly directed to the Columbia seven. Make sure your sound is turned on.
http://lb.wnd.com/columbia.html

[DietCoke]

**DC, how have you been?

Recouperating from in-office sinus surgery :-/ But other than that, my usual frazzled self. :-) And you, are you studying?

[tamikamaria]

Thanks for the verse and the prayer list, kayak. My cousin Annette is active duty USN, currently on an aircraft carrier.

My best friend's brother is in the Army (currently Germany) and her sister is also in the Navy. I've only met them a few times and I really don't know them, but I worry about them all the same. I'm sure they would appreciate the prayers.

God bless our military and President Bush.

[azGOPgal]

I hope your recovery is quick. At the moment, I am studying current affairs with a bunch of robots!

[Mo1]

Rintense .. do you know what time Powell's speech starts tomorrow

10 or 10:30?

[baseballmom]

Will add your brother to my prayers. May God bless him and keep him safe.

[ohioWfan]

How ya doing, OWF...

Really well......and it doesn't make any human sense, does it? We are buoyed up by the prayers of family and friends, and our faith in our God who is our ROCK and our fortress.

......when sorrows like sea billows roll......Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul!"

[azGOPgal]

With your strong faith in God, it does make sense. Continue to let everyone's praise lift you up.

[ohioWfan]

Thank you both so very much!

We have been blessed by being given the privilege of raising our four children. God is GOOD!

[DietCoke]

**we don't give a flying fig what people say about us.

I like how you think! :-)

[DrDeb]

Stunning photos; Touching ceremony; BEAUTIFUL speech!

Our president rose to the occasion once again: May God continue to bless him in these very challenging times!

NOTE: C-Span will re-air the Ceremony at 11 PM (EST)!!!
(watch for the kleenex shot -- the cameras missed part of it!).

[zlala]

Thank you. Our family is very faith based and we welcome all prayers in his behalf.

We know he (and his family) isn't the only one being called to serve; but after many years in the Army and National Guard, without any major call ups, this was unexpected (though it shouldn't have been). He is 49 so that also adds in the mix I guess.

What a wonderful site FreeRepublic is...knowing there are so many people praying for and in behalf of each other. A blessing in and of itself.

[ohioWfan]

I'll be praying for your brother. His sacrifice for his country is great. May God bless him and his family!!

[DietCoke]

Thanks for the explanation! Count me in, too!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you ken! And thanks for giving your Governor to us! What a gift! :o)

[DietCoke]

I"m feeling much better this week, thanks!

I loved my senior Govt. class. Mr. West would read the front page headlines and off we'd go for a class discussion. I miss that! I guess being a Freeper is a good replacement!

[ohioWfan]

I remember the first time, as a college freshman that we sang in chapel. The song was "Great is Thy Faithfulness," and I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

My husband attended a Promise Keepers' convention, and "It is Well with my Soul" was sung there by thousands of men. It was years ago, and I don't think the goosebumps are gone yet! :o)

[Kaslin]

I haven't posted in quite a while, but visited daily. The pictures are especially great today.

I have a caption for this one. Everything will be alright!

[lizma]

During the ceremony, Ilian Ramon eldest son comforted his grandfather. I was moved by the kindness and strength of this young man.

Tonight's news had a short interview him. He plans to be an astronaut. I think someday Israel will have another Ramon to be very proud of.

[WVNan]

The rest of the story: This song was written by Horatio Spafford of Chicago in 1873. Spafford had invested in real estate in the Chicago area just before the great fire of 1871, and lost heavily from the fire. Just before that he had experienced the death of his son. After so much sadness he felt his family needed a rest and he arranged a trip to Europe. Last minute business came up and he sent his wife and four daughters ahead on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days.

On Nov. 2, the ship was struck by the Lochearn nnd sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors landed in Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, "Saved alone." Shortly after Spafford sailed to join his wife. Near the area where he thought his four daughters had drowned, Spafford penned the text of this song. "When sorrows like sea billows roll...It is amazing that one could experience so many personal tragedies and still be able to say with such convincing clarity, "It is well with my soul." A lesson for us all.

Eric belongs to all of us as we pray for his safety and for God to continue to give him "peace like a river."