A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos): 5.30.05

Today is Memorial Day President Bush commemorated this solemn event by taking part in the ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery along with the Secretary of Denfense Donald Rumsfeld.

For further details of this event and Arlington Cemetery in general visit http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/

Yesterday 29th May 2005, Secretary of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed a Memorial Day Rolling Thunder veterans rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2005. Earlier in the day, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Richard Myers had led thousands of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders into Washington for their 18th annual 'Ride for Freedom' and rally for veterans

The history of Memorial Day
Each year, on the last Monday in May, the USA celebrates Memorial Day. For many, this day carries no special meaning except perhaps an extra day off from work, a beach barbecue, the start of the summer travel season, or for merchants, the opportunity to hold their annual Memorial Day Weekend sale.

In reality, the holiday is observed in honor of the nation's armed service personnel who were killed in wartime (in the UK this is the 11th November – Remembrance Day at which on the 11th hour of the 11th month we have a minutes silence all over the Britain).

The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began prior to the end of the Civil War, but the national Memorial Day holiday (or "Decoration Day," as it was originally named) was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. With the passage of time, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.

Confederate Memorial Day, once a legal holiday in many southern states, is still observed on the fourth Monday in April in Alabama, and the last Monday in April in Mississippi and Georgia. A National Moment of Remembrance

May of 1997 saw the start of what is becoming an American tradition recognized by the President and Members of Congress -- to put the "memorial" back in Memorial Day. The idea of a National Moment of Remembrance was born a year earlier when children touring Lafayette Park in Washington, DC were asked what Memorial Day meant and they responded, "That's the day the pools open!"

The "Moment" was initiated by No Greater Love, a Washington, DC-based national humanitarian organization. For the first time in U.S. history, on Memorial Day 1997 "Taps" was played at 3 p.m. in many locations and at events throughout America. This effort was repeated again in subsequent years.

The objective of the "Moment" is to raise Americans' awareness of the honorable contributions made by those who died while defending our nation and to encourage all Americans to honor those who died as a result of service to this nation by pausing for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day.

BTW, I thought Larry King on the whole did a very good interview. It was one of the first interviews of the VP in a while where I thought Dick Cheney gave something besides very standard cautious, almost rote, answers (he's a cautious man, and doesn't 'let his hair down' often).

Just for fun, I thought I would list my personal choices of 'best' and 'worst' questions and answers.

Best:
1. The Gitmo Amnesty International question. He let them have it with both barrels, very softly but leaving no question of his contempt for their stupidity.

2. The question about how they dealt with their daughter's homosexuality. I thought he asked the question with sensitivity, and I thought Dick Cheney answered it well. It obviously was not in any depth, but it gave maybe a little insight into their feelings (and Mary's). Also their obvious pride in Mary's book.

3. The John Bolton and the U.N. question. He gave some meat in that answer.

4. The question to Lynn Cheney about 'Do you want to be First Lady?' Great question, but he totally let her off the hook on that one. She never answered it. Also, did anyone else think that Lynne Cheney's little riff about 'We'll see what happens in 2009, who knows what's going to come up, etc.' was leaving the door open ever so slightly? I hope not, because I don't think Dick Cheney wants to be President.

5. The question about talking to the service academies. 'These are very serious people.' You could see Dick Cheney's pride and affinity for the military in that answer.

The Worst:
1. The question about what do you do when you disagree with the President. It's been asked a million times and he always gives the same answer. They're not going to catch him on that one.

2. I thought he allowed them to give too much of a stock answer on public life versus private life. I wonder if he could have gotten something more out of them if he had probed a little.

A sobering reminder of ALL our brave and selfless military give for US.

U.S. Air Force General Richard Myers (R), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appears behind Gerald McCuller (L), portraying a Vietnam War prisoner of war in a replica of a bamboo cage, as Myers addresses at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2005. Myers led thousands of Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders into Washington for their annual rally for POW/MIA and veterans.

Two U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq when their helicopter crashed after being shot at north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said in a statement on May 27, 2005. Two helicopters came under small arms fire near Baquba 60 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad on Thursday night, the U.S. military said. One crashed while the other sustained damage but landed safely at a U.S. base. 1st Sergeant Michael Miller of the 1st command engineer battalion looks though names on dog tags of some of his men killed in Iraq, during a memorial service for the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California May 26, 2005.

US Marines bow their heads during a memorial service for their fallen comrades who served with the 1st Marine Division in Iraq at Camp Pendleton, California. The 1st Marine Division recently completed a year-long deployment to Iraq, serving in the Al Anbar province from March 2004 to March 2005.

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Mystery: Thank you for mentioning the Operation Homecoming on TLC last night .. it was wonderfuly .. touching and (yes)tearful program. So many wonderful journeys and stories, but the story of the twins who ironically met on the street in Baghdad on the same day one of them was hit and severely wounded later was really incredible ... VERY worth seeing.

Here's a link to Soldier's Stories and many related links

Here's the programming schedule for this series:Operation Homecoming Schedule

A friend of mine was a POW in Viet Nam and held in brutal captivity for over 5 years, including years in a bamboo cage. God Bless You and all the military and their families for all you give and have given for US.

The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force General Richard Myers (L), with his wife Mary Jo, rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle at the head of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle procession at the Pentagon where more than 100,000 motorcyclists had gathered, May 29, 2005. Rolling Thunder, whose major function is to educate the public about prisoner of war and missing in action issues, are committed to helping American veterans from all wars. Every year thousands of supporters of Rolling Thunder participate in the annual ride for freedom to the nation's capital before the Memorial Day holiday. Riding ahead of the procession at right is Artie Muller, National Executive Director of Rolling Thunder, Inc.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Richard Myers rides his motorcycle across Memorial Bridge along with thousands of other bikers during the annual Rolling Thunder memorial ride in Washington Sunday, May 29, 2005. The Rolling Thunder event, coinciding with the Memorial Day weekend, has been focusing attention on POW-MIA issues since 1988. Riders also advocate for veterans' rights.

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Interesting analysis, I thought like you he was more relaxed in this interview and opened up more actually for him quite a lot.

It is said that GWB does not like the press or interviews by the press IMHO Dick Cheney normally dislikes them even more.

I think with Larry King they have known each a long time and I suspect that Dick Cheney feels semi "safe" with him.

Like you I agree he answered the Amnesty International boo hoo ha well.

The question about Mary we already discussed last night and agreed that it was handled well on both sides.

John Bolton I am just waiting for the comments that this is really a Dick Cheney appointment and not a GWB one (in fact I have been waiting for that scream for weeks).

Yes Lynne Cheney did get let off on that one IMHO there is an element with her that wants to be first lady but she knows it is not going to happen. I agree with you Dick does not want to be President I think he feels restricted enough already as Vice President and previously as Defense Secretary. I suppose though once having been Vice President you will always be under some form of protection.

I also suspect that they have an idea of what they want to do in 2009 apart from Dick's fishing and maybe writing a book. That was interesting that was the first time he alluded that there might be one he has always firmly said no, I wonder if he has been persuaded either by friends or family that he should not shut the door on that option. Also I wonder whether they are thinking or Lynn in particular by that time Liz maybe thinking of running for something Lynne has always said she might be interested in helping run a campaign for her daughter or granddaughter in the future.

I am certain that Dick will not completely disappear from the political arena in as much I am certain the press will want to interview him on certain issues and I could imagine him being in great demand still for fund raising and after dinner speaking he will probably make another fortune at that.

As you say Dick Cheney most certainly does love the military he well could get involved in a more active role in a military charity once he retires. IMHO I think he will want to do something other than fishing he has an amazing active brain and he will want to keep that ticking over. Here is a thought maybe impossible but something that I have always thought he may wish to do possibly a pipe dream but I certain if it was possible he would like to do it. And that is complete his doctorate after all Lynne got hers but he dropped out he says mainly because he could not decide what his final dissitation was to be and also of course he entered the political world instead.

On to what you thought were the worse questions, of course the standard one about the President and him disagreeing he answered it in the only way he can. Though I always get the impression that he does give his point of view and certainly when it is just the 2 of them would not meekly say yes Mr President if he totally disagreed. I would think they would agree to differ which of course would mean the President view would be adopted.

I think also he could have got more out of him on the private and public life question though body language IMHO said much especially when Lynne joined them you could immediately tell he took pleasure in her company. IMHO they have a very close relationship and couple of things Lynne said I would think indicates that they have grown closer during his time as VP.

There was no over the top reaction to Lynne which would have looked forced but a comfortable easy yet something much more almost a zing when she appeared. I suspect in private there is even more of a zing. I think that Larry King respects them and values the fact that he manages to get interviews with Dick Cheney too much to push this question.

Here is an interesting question. We have over the years thought of the States as a much more informal country than England and the impression I get from Americans they think of us as stuffed shirts.

I think though this is changing especially in dealing with public figures. Your reporters, interviewers etc always seem to be most correct in addressing your politicians, Mr President, Mr Vice President, Mr Secretary, Congressman etc. in the UK if the reporter/interviewer know them well he will use their first name as will other politicians both in person and when just referring to them. For example there are certain reporters that will call Tony Blair just Tony the same with politicians certainly those in the cabinet yet you always here the American counterparts even though you know they know each other personally give them their title.

There seems more respect for the position if not necessarily the person in America.

I remember back in 2001 that Larry King accidentally called the VP Dick and then tried to apologise and the VP told he it was OK as they had known each other so long and that it was OK to call him Dick. I did not notice him refer to the VP as anything in this interview though I did not see the start certainly he referred to Lynne as Lynne. Maybe he felt better not referring to the VP as any title as I am certain off camera it would have been Dick. Interesting what is your take on this and the difference in the 2 countries?

"Vice President Dick Cheney
Vice President Richard B. Cheney has had a distinguished career as a businessman and public servant, serving four Presidents and as an elected official. Throughout his service, Mr. Cheney served with duty, honor, and unwavering leadership, gaining him the respect of the American people during trying military times.

Mr. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941 and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his bachelor's and master's of arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House.

When Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency in August 1974, Mr. Cheney served on the transition team and later as Deputy Assistant to the President. In November 1975, he was named Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff, a position he held throughout the remainder of the Ford Administration.

After he returned to his home state of Wyoming in 1977, Mr. Cheney was elected to serve as the state's sole Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected five times and elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1981 to 1987. He was elected Chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987 and elected House Minority Whip in 1988. During his tenure in the House, Mr. Cheney earned a reputation as a man of knowledge, character, and accessibility.

Mr. Cheney also served a crucial role when America needed him most. As Secretary of Defense from March 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Cheney directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history - Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He was responsible for shaping the future of the U.S. military in an age of profound and rapid change as the Cold War ended. For his leadership in the Gulf War, Secretary Cheney was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush on July 3, 1991.

Mr. Cheney married his high school sweetheart, Lynne Ann Vincent, in 1964, and they have grown daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, three granddaughters and one grandson."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident

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