Troops Bid Bush Farewell at Andrews Air Force Base
(January 22, 2009) |
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Former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush give a final wave to the crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., prior to their final departure aboard Air Force One, Jan. 20, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Craig Clapper |
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ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md., Jan. 20, 2009
– The U.S. military bid farewell today to the outgoing
commander in chief during a stirring and emotional departure
ceremony in which he called leading men and women in uniform
the highlight of his presidency.
A joint service honor guard, military band and about 4,000
cheering, flag-waving fans greeted former President George
W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush as they arrived
here from what's been called “the ultimate change of command
ceremony.”
The participants -- former staffers, invited guests and
servicemembers and their families -- waited inside the 316th
Airlift Wing's Hangar Six to hail the president and former
Vice President Dick Cheney. They watched the inaugural
ceremonies on a jumbotron screen suspended from the hangar
ceiling, then waited with anticipation as Bush lifted off
from the Capitol grounds aboard the Marine Corps VH-3
helicopter referred to as “Executive One.”
The crowd roared as the former president and
vice president made their dramatic entrance into the hangar.
The rousing sounds of the “Air Force One”
movie theme rung out as the huge hangar slowly
opened, revealing the huge blue-and-white
presidential aircraft glistening in the
sunlight. |
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Children climbed onto their parents'
shoulders to catch a better glimpse, and spectators hoisted
cameras high to capture the moment in history.
Bush admitted that he wasn't sure how he would feel passing
the presidency to the next administration, but declared, “I
am thankful, I am grateful and I am joyful!”
“I've had a lot of great experiences,” as president, he told
the group, but said none has been better than leading
military members who have volunteered to serve the country
in a time of danger. Bush said he'll miss being commander in
chief and being able to stand in front of the troops to tell
them “how much we respect you and how much we admire you.”
Bush said he'll leave the presidency with his “head held
high,” confident that he took the right course in difficult
times. Historians will sort out his time in office, he said,
expressing belief that they'll note “we did not shirk our
duty, we did not shy away” from difficult decisions and that
“we served with conviction.”
Cheney praised Bush for taking on “the big jobs that needed
doing” after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks launched
some of the greatest challenges to ever confront the United
States. “George W. Bush protected America,” he said.
“History remembers such leaders and marks them well.”
Bush shook hands with many in the crowd, then turned toward
the VC-25 aircraft that would take him home to Texas. The
flight was designated Special Air Mission 28000 rather than
Air Force One, which belongs only to the airplane carrying
the sitting president.
On the tarmac, Air Force Brig. Gen. Maggie Woodward, the
89th Airlift Wing commander, escorted the Bushes to a red
carpet stretching to the aircraft. A 42-piece joint honor
guard flanked both sides of the carpet.
At the end of the carpet, Air Force Col. Steven Shepro,
commander of the 316th Wing, and Col. Eric Snadecki, his
vice commander, said their final goodbyes before Bush
climbed the steps to the plane.
Shepro said he felt honored for him and his airmen to bid a
personal goodbye to the departing former president. “It's
like saying goodbye to an old friend,” he said. He credited
his elite team that regularly serves the president -- with
the Air Force's only flightline protocol office and a
second-to-none security detachment, among them -- with
bringing honor to the Air Force.
“This is another moment in history that they share,” he
said. “We're giving him a fitting sendoff just like we
always do.”
Command Chief James Davis, Andrews' top noncommissioned
officer, relished his base's role in the inauguration and
presidential departure ceremony. “We are a part of history,
from the person working the logistics to the ones in the
cordon to the ones marching in the parade,” he said.
“We're all here to honor our former commander in chief as he
departs,” said Army Sgt. Tyler Murray, one of six members of
the 3rd Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard” to serve in the
joint service honor guard. “President Bush has looked out
for his troops, and we're here to honor him.”
“I've been involved in a lot of high-priority missions,”
said Army Pfc. Jared Robison, a fellow “Old Guard” soldier.
“But this one is the highest on my list, personally.”
“It's wonderful being a part of it, especially as a military
member,” agreed Air Force Tech. Sgt. Steven Hawkens, from
the 316th Security Forces. “It's breathtaking, it's
exciting, it's wonderful to see these things going on.” | |
Article by
Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
Reprinted
from American
Forces Press Service / DoD
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