THANKS SO MUCH FOR POSTING THE DOSE TONIGHT -- what incredible pixes from an incredible week!!!!
Like many of you, I was particularly touched by the President's interactions with Nancy Reagan -- the 'escort interaction' at the beginning of the National Cathedral service was particularly poignant [I also thought the President delivered a beautiful eulogy!]
I loved the photos from the 41@80 Birthday Bash last evening -- I hope the Bush Library eventually sells a video of the event!
[I also hope our very own Olliemb can give us an 'insiders' description of the event -- full of all the personal anecdotes that we Dosers love!]
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT THE 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH:
WASHINGTON, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a statement made earlier today by President Bush at the 80th Birthday celebration for former President George H. W. Bush --
Office of the Press Secretary
(Crawford, Texas)
9:30 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. As you can see, I have been given the high honor to represent my three brothers, my sister, and our respective families at the 80th birthday party for our dad, our Gampy.
You're probably wondering how I got to be the family spokesman. (Laughter.) Well, we polled the family. And rumor has it, somewhere in our large family, the tiebreaking vote for tonight's speaker was cast by a fourth
cousin by the name of Chad. (Laughter and applause.) While holding his son above the crib, Chad's father reports that the lad burped, and it sounded like, "George W." (Laughter.) Once again, my life was affected by a dangling
chad. (Laughter and applause.)
Yesterday we said farewell to a good man, our 40th President, Ronald Reagan. (Applause.) Today we honor another good man. I want to thank you all for coming to wish our dad a happy birthday. (Applause.) We thank those
who worked so hard to make this event a great success. We thank the entertainers for coming. Right before I came on the stage, I had a chance to say hello to Dennis Miller. He was somewhat disappointed. I said, "Why"? He
said, "I thought we were raising money for a thousand pints of light." (Laughter.)
We thank the underwriters, the sponsors and the organizing committee. We thank the Honorary Chairman, Dan Quayle. Dan's not only a good friend, he's also one of our three favorite Vice Presidents; you know, Dick, Dan and Dad.
(Laughter and applause.)
Most of you are here because over the years you have come to know and love our dad -- (applause) -- as well as his rather shy and retiring wife. (Applause.) He has touched you because of his decency and warmth, his humility and humor. You know what we know: that we are all fortunate to have George Bush as a part of our lives. (Applause.)
Some of you are here to pay tribute to a man who has made your life's calling a little easier. Because of our honoree's sense of duty and service, millions have been raised to heal hurt and disease, as well as educate our
young. Some are here to see the 80 year old dude, who tomorrow will strap on a helmet, zip up a suit, and launch forth from a perfectly safe aerospace vehicle, arms prayed, back arched, yelling at Father Time, "Take this, you old man." (Applause.) One or two of you thought the Astros were at home. (Laughter.)
Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are here with our families because of our deep and pure love for our dad. We love his enthusiasm for life, and his dedication to his faith, his family, his friends and his country. (Applause.)
We respect and honor the example he has set in service to our nation, as a fighter pilot, a representative, a diplomat and a President. We take comfort in knowing he was the same caring, decent man before, during and after his
time in the arena. (Applause.)
We like to do things with him. He is a fun guy. We like to fish, throw a shoe, play peggity or play golf with him. We like to talk and laugh with him. We still get a kick out of his dirty shirt joke, or, "show him a clean one"
line. We understand his gentle tease, and have learned the art of the effective needle from him. We appreciate those times when he gives us ample material with his weird taste in clothes. (Laughter.)
We are awed by his energy, his zest for life. If ever there was a guy who could say his dance card was completely full, it is our dad. (Applause.) We love the fact that he loves Mother. (Applause.) And we are amazed and deeply
touched by his unconditional love for us. (Applause.)
So here's to you, young fella'. May God grant you health, joy and many years of happiness. God bless. (Applause.)
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-13-2004/0002191995&EDATE=
WOW!!!
[I'm off to plant some flowers, will return later!]
Dittos! I LOVE this family!
Hey Deb, you getting storms down there?
We have a tornado warning here right now!
THANKS for posting that speech of W. to his dad.
That paragraph about the "Dangling Chad" is ROFLOL!!
I saw some pics of the family together and it sure was nice to see all of the kids together, even tho I imagine they're rather disgusted at their brother Neil's antics. But they sure do show family love, don't they?
Speaking of the family, I heard that the girls are going to make some speeches for him!
Our President is truly remarkable ... this week alone he has hosted the G-8 conference, participated in the funeral for a beloved former President, been a host at his father's 80th birthday bash, and attended a T-ball game ... and done all with great energy and the appropriate decorum for the occasion.
May the Lord continue to bless and lead this wonderful man!