A day in the life of President Bush (1/2/06): photos, review of 2005

The President and first lady returned to the White House yesterday accompanied by their daughter Barbara, and of course their pets. Before leaving Texas, the President visited Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and spent time with wounded servicemen and women, and awarded nine Purple Hearts to U.S. troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today being a Federal holiday there are no scheduled events for the President so follows Snug's Review of 2005.

Former US president George Bush is expected to visit Pakistan later this month as the United Nations special envoy for the South Asian earthquake

QUOTE OF THE DAY

President Visits Troops at Brooke Army Medical Center
Brooke Army Medical Center
San Antonio, Texas
1st January 2006

THE PRESIDENT: Happy New Year to you all. Thanks. I can't think of a better way to start 2006 then here at this fantastic hospital -- a hospital that's full of healers and compassionate people who care deeply about our men and women in uniform. It's also full of courageous young soldiers, Marines, airmen -- men and women who are serving our country and making great sacrifice. I'm just overwhelmed by the great strength of character of not only those who have been wounded, but of their loved ones, as well. And so, thank you all for bringing great credit to our country.

As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself -- not here at the hospital, but in combat with a Cedar. I eventually won. The Cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel.

I've been thinking long and hard about 2006. My hopes, of course, are for peace around the world. I'll continue to work as hard as I can to lay that foundation for peace. And also my hope is that this country remains as prosperous as it was in 2005. We had a very strong economy, and we'll work to keep the economy as strong as it possibly can, so anybody that wants to find a job can find one.

There's an enemy out there. They read newspapers, they listen to what you write, they listen to what you put on the air, and they react. And it seems logical to me that if we know there's a phone number associated with al Qaeda and/or an al Qaeda affiliate, and they're making phone calls, it makes sense to find out why. They attacked us before, they will attack us again if they can. And we're going to do everything we can to stop them.

Last question. Mike.

Q Mr. President, in August you said that Katrina could -- the effects of it could test the strongest faith. I'm sure of some of the things that you saw today, that's the case, as well. What do you tell a young soldier or his young wife about how a loving God could permit or cause some of the things you saw today?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, Mike, I'm conscious not to be trying to substitute myself for God. I am, on the other hand, inspired by the mom who told me upstairs that she prays every day and believes in the miracle of healing; that I think we see God's work here every day. I think when you find nurses and doctors who work around the clock, who come in at a moment's notice to save a life, I happen to believe there's a lot of divine inspiration to that kind of dedication and work. The parents I saw or the wives I saw, many of them were in prayer on a regular basis for their loved one.

And, you know, war is terrible. There's horrible consequences to war -- that's what you see in this building. On the other hand, we also see people who say, I'd like to go back in, Mr. President, what we're doing is the right thing, because many of these troops understand that by defeating the enemy there, we don't have to face them here. And they understand that by helping the country and the Middle East become a democracy, we are, in fact, laying the foundation for future peace. And, I, as the Commander-in-Chief, I am resolved to make sure that those who have died in combats' sacrifice are not in vain. And I am resolved to make sure that these kids who are recovering here, that have suffered terrible injury, that their injuries are not in vain by completing the mission and laying that foundation for peace for generations to come. And I'm optimistic we'll achieve that objective

PHOTO OF THE DAY (YESTERDAY)
President Bush makes a few remarks after visiting wounded soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas. President Bush is sporting a scratch on his forehead that he mentions above that occurred when apparently he had a little argument with some cedar on his ranch.

President George W. Bush speaks with the press on Sunday, January 1, 2006, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. During his visit to the Medical Center, the President presented nine soldiers with a Purple Heart Award and visited with wounded soldiers and their families.

President George W. Bush greets doctors and nurses after speaking to the media after meeting with wounded U.S. military personnel at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas January 1, 2006

President George W. Bush holds his pet, Barney, as he and first lady Laura Bush walk down the ramp from Air Force One after arriving from Texas at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington January 1, 2006

Barbara Bush talks with presidential assistant Blake Gottesman as she carries Miss Beazleya at Andrews Air Force Base January 1, 2006

Barney (L), U.S. President George W. Bush's dog, and Miss Beazley, first lady Laura Bush's dog, walk away from Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington January 1, 2006

It is good to see the dogs actually not be carried I am sure they prefer it to

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush with their pet dog Barney and Miss Beazley, arrive at the White House, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006

As today is a Federal Holiday and President has no officials duties hence no photos from today, I thought it would be a good idea to do a review of the year. This is done from my perspective so some of the photos will be major news items others, items that I feel many of us feel are as important or just a lovely photo that we may all remember and enjoy.

I am sure many of your have different memories and photos that mean so much from 2005 please feel free to share them after the all clear.

The first 6 months I did do on Mike's thread on Friday but we did not have that many hits on the thread so I thought I would repeat them here plus some additional photos for those that maybe were still away at friends and family for the Christmas and New Year Holidays and did not see them. I am sure the rest of you will not complain over more photos of this truly great man and others from his administration.

January 2005

President George W. Bush announces a nationwide charitable fundraising effort to be led by former President George H.W. Bush, left, and former President Bill Clinton to aid victims of last week's earthquake and tsunamis in South Asia in the Roosevelt Room, Monday, January 3, 2005

Miss Beazley's arrive at the White House - 8th January 2005

President George W. Bush presents Judge Michael Chertoff as his nominee to be the Secretary of Homeland Security in the Roosevelt Room Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005.

President George W. Bush talks with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, and Vice President Dick Cheney after attending a meeting on Tsunami Relief and the War on Terror at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005

Secretary of State Colin Powell and his wife Alma are accompanied by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush while the Powell's received the John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award from Georgetown University during the University's "Let Freedom Ring" celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, January 17, 2005

President George W. Bush puts his arm around Singer Bebe Winans as he sings 'God Bless America' during the 'Saluting Those Who Serve' event at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005. Also pictured are, from left, Laura Bush, Lynne Cheney, and Vice President Dick Cheney.

President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush pose for a portrait with members of their extended family in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney introduces President George W. Bush at the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Vice President Dick Cheney during the 55th Presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush dance for the crowd during the Constitution Ball held at the Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C., Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005.

Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne dance for the crowd at one of the Balls Jan 20, 2005.

Lynne Cheney walks with Mrs. Viktor Yushchenko during a meeting in Krakow, Poland, Jan. 26, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney and newly sworn-in Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko speak during a press availability after the two men met in Krakow, Poland, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005. Vice President Cheney leads a U.S. delegation to Poland to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp.

Vice President Dick Cheney walks to place a candle on a memorial tablet in the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005. Vice President Cheney attend a number of ceremonies throughout the day, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp.

Vice President Dick Cheney, flanked by his daughter Liz Cheney, places a bouquet of flowers at the Wall of Death at the Auschwitz-1 Nazi concentration camp, near Krakow, Poland, Friday, Jan. 28, 2005. Vice President Cheney was there to take part in ceremonies commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camps. The Wall of Death was named for its use as the backdrop for firing squads where thousands of prisoners were executed while the camp was in operation

Upon signing the memorial book at the conclusion of his visit to the Auschwitz-1 Nazi concentration camp, near Krakow, Poland,Vice President Dick Cheney writes: "On this anniversary of liberation, we look back with reverence and resolve: May God bless the survivors and the souls of the lost, and may the evils committed here never again darken our world." Vice President Cheney was there to take part in ceremonies commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camps.

President Bush shakes hands with Dr. Condoleezza Rice after introducing her those in attendence for her ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Department of State Friday, Jan. 28, 2005.

President George W. Bush delivers a live televised statement on Iraq's elections from the Cross Hall of the White House, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005

February 2005

President George W. Bush delivers his fourth State of the Union Address at the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005

First Lady Laura Bush and Army Staff Sgt Norbert Lara, foreground left, injured in action, look on as William Norwood, whose 25-year-old son, Marine Sgt. Byron Norwood, was killed in action in Iraq, reaches out to Marine Staff Sgt. John Manuel Martinez while the dead Marine's mother, Janet Norwood, embraces Safia Taleb al-Suhail, leader of the Iraqi Womens Political Council during George W. Bush fourth State of the Union Address at the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor offers Alberto Gonzales the oath of office Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, during his ceremonial swearing-in at the Justice Department. With President George W. Bush looking on are Mr. Gonzales's mother, Maria, and wife, Becky

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom walk together after addressing the press at the Ambassador's Residence in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday Feb. 22, 2005

During a Feb. 23, 2005, visit to Wiesbaden Army Air Field in Wiesbaden, Germany, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush are welcomed by applause from U.S. troops.

President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin clasp hands after a joint news conference Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, in Bratislava, Slovakia. Said President Bush, "I applaud President Putin for dealing with a country that is in transformation," adding, "It's been hard work."

President George W. Bush addresses America's governors during a state dinner for the National Governors Association at the White House Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005.

President George W. Bush addresses the National Governors Association at the White House Monday, Feb. 28, 2005.

March 2005

President George W. Bush stands with Michael Chertoff, the new Secretary of Homeland Security, during Chertoff's swearing-in ceremony Thursday, Mar. 3, 2005, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C

President Bush talks about the War on Terror at the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, March 8, 2005

President George W. Bush and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan meet in the Oval Office to discuss Middle East peace and tradeTuesday, March 15, 2004.

President George W. Bush accepts a bowl of shamrocks from Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern during a ceremony celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the Roosevelt Room Thursday, March 17, 2005

President George W. Bush walks with Mexico President Vicente Fox, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin upon their arrival Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at the Bill Daniels Activity Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings read to children during the 2005 White House Easter Egg Roll. March 28, 2005.

President George W. Bush listens as Archbishop Demetrios Trakatellis delivers brief remarks Monday, March 28, 2005, during a celebration of Greek Independence Day at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington DC.

Accompanied by Iraqi citizens who voted in the recent elections, President George W. Bush delivers remarks about freedom in Iraq in the Rose Garden Tuesday, March 29, 2005. "I want to thank you for your strong belief in democracy and freedom. It's a belief that, with their vote, the Iraqi people signal to the world that they intend to claim their liberty and build a future of freedom for their country," said President Bush. "And it was a powerful signal."

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