A Day in the Life of President Bush (12/31/05): New Year's Memories

White House ^ | 12/31/05

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President Bush, the First Lady, the dogs and cat, and their family are spending the New Year's holiday at their Texas ranch.

On this New Year's Eve, 2005, although mindful of those who will not continue the journey with us into 2006, it seemed to me we should celebrate happy times. That is the theme of this last Dose thread of 2005.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all. May your 2006 be healthy, happy and full of love.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the first Inaugural Address of President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001.

Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?''

Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.

We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.

Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.

This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.

[Wolfstar]

As a Chicago Cubs radio broadcaster in the mid-1930s for an Iowa station, President Ronald Reagan was an astute baseball spectator. He made several guest trips back to the radio booth, both during and after his presidency.

As a Yale standout who once caught the eye of a professional scout, President George H.W. Bush was fascinated with the game of baseball.

[DollyCali]

Happy New Year to you Wolfstar & thank you for all the work you have done this year for us here at the Dose. I have posted this elsewhere today but want to also include it here. Three are three daily threads that I hang at & this is one. Happy New Year & be safe to all the visitors here this evening

RESOLUTIONS FOR 2006

Choose to love—rather than hate

Choose to smile—rather than frown

Choose to build—rather than destroy

Choose to persevere—rather than quit

Choose to praise—rather than gossip

Choose to heal—rather than wound

Choose to give—rather than take

Choose to act—rather than delay

Choose to forgive—rather than curse

Choose to pray—rather than despair

[Wolfstar]

Yale student George H.W. Bush shakes the hand of the legendary Babe Ruth. (Ruth looked ill in this photo.)

From his biography at the official website dedicated to Babe Ruth:

In the fall of 1946, Babe was diagnosed with throat cancer and spent three months in the hospital. The operations impaired his voice, caused him to lose 80 pounds, and rendered him nearly immobile. The following year April 27 was declared Babe Ruth Day for every organized baseball league in the U.S. and Japan. Babe’s health continued to decline and on June 13, 1948 he made his last appearance at the stadium where his legend was born. On the 25th anniversary of the opening of Yankee Stadium the Yankees honored the player that made them the most recognizable team in the world by retiring his number 3. This would be the last time the Babe was ever seen in the famous pinstripes.

Babe Ruth died on August 16, 1948 at Memorial Hospital in New York City at age 53. His body lay in state at the entrance of Yankee Stadium on August 17 and 18, where over 100,000 people came to pay their final respects. Thousands of fans surrounded New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the route to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York on the day of his funeral, as the world mourned the passing of Babe Ruth.

[Wolfstar]

Vice President Dick Cheney talks with WLW-AM radio hosts after throwing out the first pitch on opening day in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Red's Great American Ballpark on April 5, 2004.

[Wolfstar]

When she was First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush founded the annual Texas State Book Festival. Shortly after she became the nation's First Lady, she began plans to start an annual National Book Festival. The first one was scheduled to take place in September 2001. She persevered and the event is now a highlight of the late summer--early fall season in Washingon.

Golden State Warrior Baron Davis, left, and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, right, present Laura Bush with a basketball jersey at the National Book Festival Author's breakfast in the East Room Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005.

Laura Bush speaks at the National Book Festival Author's breakfast in the East Room, Sept. 24, 2005. "Great books have brought many people through difficult times," said Mrs. Bush, explaining that the Book Festival is collecting books for schools, libraries and those affected by the recent hurricanes. "A story's setting -- real or imagined -- can provide a much-needed escape. And the characters in a good book are like old friends by the time we turn the final page."

Accompanied by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the First Lady attends the National Book Festival Gala, an annual celebration of books and literature, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., Friday, Sept. 23, 2005.

[GretchenM]

I love the last photo in #12. Don't think I've seen it before. It's a doozy.

[Wolfstar]

The White House effort to help America's youth is another initiative of the First Lady's, and she enjoyed a very successful event last October.

President Bush, background, applauds as Mrs. Bush offers her welcoming remarks, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 at Howard University in Washington, at the White House Conference on Helping America's Youth.

Laura Bush sits with Michaela Huberty, right, and her mentor, Jennifer Kalenborn, left, at the White House Conference on Helping America's Youth.

[Wolfstar]

Sarah Tucker reads her award winning essay.

The First Lady and Louie Culver give Culver's daughter, Sarah Tucker, a standing ovation after the girl read her essay.

[Wolfstar]

You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher.

[Kate of Spice Island]

Happy new year's!

[Wolfstar]

On July 4, 2005, President and Mrs. Bush listen as a South Lawn crowd sings "Happy Birthday" at the White House in celebration of the President's upcoming birthday on July 6.

[Wolfstar]

President Bush watches Fourth of July fireworks from the balcony of the White House.

Celebrating July 4th in Morgantown, W. Va.

[Wolfstar]

Barney got into the Halloween spirit by offering to play a jig saw puzzle game with children.

[Wolfstar]

Specially designed food is seen, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, in the White House kitchen, in preparation for the official dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Specially designed dessert plates are seen, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, in the White House kitchen, in preparation for the official dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

[Wolfstar]

Dinner menu place cards are seen ready for placement, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005 at the White House, in preparation for the official dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

A White House table setting is seen, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, in the White House State Dining Room

[Wolfstar]

The table settings in the State Dining Room for the White House dinner Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, in honor of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Chosen by Mrs. Laura Bush, the centerpieces are sprays of white phaeleanopsis orchids displayed in vermeil vases and compliment the Clinton China and vermeil flatware.

The tables are set and ready for guests, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, in the White House State Dining Room

The Prince of Wales addresses guests, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, in the White House State Dining Room, at the official dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

[luvie]

A TOAST FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

[snugs]

Happy new year

[Wolfstar]

ALL CLEAR!

[Wolfstar]

Happy New Year to you and yours, Sam.