Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
November 12, 2007
Pg. 9
By Associated Press
WACO, Tex., Nov. 11 -- Marking his fifth Veterans Day since the invasion of Iraq, President Bush honored U.S. troops past and present at a tearful ceremony Sunday for four Texans who died there.
The White House had said Bush would also use his Veterans Day speech to scold Congress for not sending him a veterans spending bill, but the president finished without any reference to the bill or to Congress.
"In their sorrow, these families need to know -- and families all across our nation of the fallen -- need to know that your loved ones served a cause that is good and just and noble," Bush said. "And as their commander in chief, I make you this promise: Their sacrifice will not be in vain."
Bush went to American Legion Post 121, which was honoring four Texas men who were among the more than 3,860 members of the U.S. military who have died in Iraq since 2003. They were Army Spec. Javier Antonio Villanueva of Bellmead, Army Spec. Jeffrey Paul Shaffer of Waco, Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny Ray Strong of Waco and Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry of Lorena.
"These men and women saw the future of the terrorists' intent for our country and they said with clear voices, 'Not on my watch,' " Bush said of the troops.
"America is blessed to have such brave defenders. They are tomorrow's veterans and they are bringing pride to our country. Their service is noble and it is necessary," he said. "The enemies who attacked us six years ago want to strike our country again, and next time they hope to kill Americans on a scale that will make 9/11 pale by comparison."
Afterward, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Bush "significantly shortened" his remarks because the ceremony had already been more than an hour long. "I think he felt it was more important to shorten the remarks and meet with the families as scheduled," Johndroe said.
Vice President Cheney delivered a 10-minute Veterans Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, saying that soldiers from World War I to "the current fight against terrorism" have served their country valiantly and have "kept us free at the land we call home."
"Free to live as we see fit, free to work, worship, speak our minds, to choose our own leaders," the vice president said. "May the rest of us never take them for granted."
Cheney placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns, pausing to straighten the ribbons on the front.
The veterans bill has gotten caught up in a larger battle between Bush and Congress over Democratic efforts to add about $23 billion for domestic programs to Bush's $933 billion proposal for all agency budgets.
November 12, 2007
Pg. 9
By Associated Press
WACO, Tex., Nov. 11 -- Marking his fifth Veterans Day since the invasion of Iraq, President Bush honored U.S. troops past and present at a tearful ceremony Sunday for four Texans who died there.
The White House had said Bush would also use his Veterans Day speech to scold Congress for not sending him a veterans spending bill, but the president finished without any reference to the bill or to Congress.
"In their sorrow, these families need to know -- and families all across our nation of the fallen -- need to know that your loved ones served a cause that is good and just and noble," Bush said. "And as their commander in chief, I make you this promise: Their sacrifice will not be in vain."
Bush went to American Legion Post 121, which was honoring four Texas men who were among the more than 3,860 members of the U.S. military who have died in Iraq since 2003. They were Army Spec. Javier Antonio Villanueva of Bellmead, Army Spec. Jeffrey Paul Shaffer of Waco, Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny Ray Strong of Waco and Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry of Lorena.
"These men and women saw the future of the terrorists' intent for our country and they said with clear voices, 'Not on my watch,' " Bush said of the troops.
"America is blessed to have such brave defenders. They are tomorrow's veterans and they are bringing pride to our country. Their service is noble and it is necessary," he said. "The enemies who attacked us six years ago want to strike our country again, and next time they hope to kill Americans on a scale that will make 9/11 pale by comparison."
Afterward, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Bush "significantly shortened" his remarks because the ceremony had already been more than an hour long. "I think he felt it was more important to shorten the remarks and meet with the families as scheduled," Johndroe said.
Vice President Cheney delivered a 10-minute Veterans Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, saying that soldiers from World War I to "the current fight against terrorism" have served their country valiantly and have "kept us free at the land we call home."
"Free to live as we see fit, free to work, worship, speak our minds, to choose our own leaders," the vice president said. "May the rest of us never take them for granted."
Cheney placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns, pausing to straighten the ribbons on the front.
The veterans bill has gotten caught up in a larger battle between Bush and Congress over Democratic efforts to add about $23 billion for domestic programs to Bush's $933 billion proposal for all agency budgets.