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President George W. Bush Put Country First What is your most profound memory of President George W. Bush that was all about country regardless of your personal and/or political view of him? While there are several special ones ... President Bush's words over a bullhorn to workers at Ground Zero on September 14, 2001 is most profound for me. It confirmed to me what I thought (hoped) the type of leader this man was ... a very caring, principled individual who would put country first above self.
Just read the words President Bush expressed over 7 years ago at Ground Zero... President Bush: Thank you all. I want you all to know -- it [bullhorn] can't go any louder -- I want you all to know that America today, America today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens. Rescue Worker: I can't hear you! President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon! Rescue Workers: [Chanting] U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! President Bush: The nation -- The nation sends its love and compassion -- Rescue Worker: God bless America! President Bush: -- to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for makin' the nation proud, and may God bless America. Rescue Workers: [Chanting] U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! It is what the nation needed to hear from President Bush ... who did so from the heart with sincere emotion and without a political agenda. It was about righting a terrible wrong done to the USA on its own soil, tragically taking the lives of so many innocent. Today, it is an entirely different attitude towards President Bush for many ... and that includes discounting the partisan ones. (It is even worse than before September 11, 2001 with the memories of the 2000 election still fresh in the memories of those who didn't vote for George Bush.) Yes, opinions can change due to a variety of personal and/or partisan political reasons such as learning that the decision to liberate Iraq was based on faulty intelligence. The change can even be so profound that one's perception can be clouded on everything involving a particular individual ... including significant achievements that are under reported or just not news grabbing like what went wrong on a particular day no matter if it was minor with no lasting impact ... other than the impression it leaves or reinforces. Hindsight also comes into play when things aren't going right ... and became increasing so for many Americans as the progress with the Iraq War was not going as planned. It brings about second guessing even when decisions were made based on what was known at the time ... not what was known months or years afterwards. And while decisions based on faulty facts have their consequences for all involved, it should never change one's opinion of the character of those who made the decision in good faith. Yet, I have never faulted President Bush for his decisions based upon what he knew at the time ... Yes, I too wished he had known all the facts beforehand. Moreover, I remain convinced that President Bush has never waivered in his resolve to protect our beloved country and fellow citizens. I see it in his eyes and expressions, hear it in his voice, and witness it in his interaction with others ... and none more so than when he is with the troops or speaking about them. You can see for yourself by watching the Medal of Honor presentations by President Bush to the families of the fallen heroes and his interview reflecting on being the Commander in Chief and thoughts about the troops. That is President Bush!
Author of the books Our Heroes, America's Best | America's Greatest Heroes | Our Valiant Troops | Veterans | Answering The Call | Uncommon Valor Honoring The Fallen | Don't Weep For Me | Remember The Fallen | Tears For Your Fallen | Our Wounded |
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