Posted on 12/22/2006 4:09:40 PM PST by onyx
Today, President Bush and First Lady Laura went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to visit with volunteers and our brave troops. He awarded sixteen Purple Hearts. Here he is seen helping volunteer children wrap Christmas presents for children of families whose parent have been wounded in service to our country.
In leiu of a quote of the day, I offer you the complete text of his remarks:
THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I are honored to be here to thank the folks working here at this service project. What you're seeing is some young kids wrapping gifts for children whose families are here in Washington, D.C. as a result of an injury that they've received -- that the parent received in combat.
We've also just come from Walter Reed. I got to tell you, it's a remarkable experience to go through the hospital. It's remarkable because of the unbelievable compassion and care of the people who work at Walter Reed. And it's also remarkable to me, these men and women who have volunteered to serve our country, who've received terrible wounds, but whose spirits are strong, their resolve is strong, and their dedication to our country remains strong.
I want all our fellow citizens to understand that we're lucky to have men and women who have volunteered to serve our country like those who wear our uniform. We're lucky to have their families support them so strongly. We owe them all we can give them -- not only for when they're in harm's way, but when they come home to help them adjust if they have wounds, or help them adjust after their time in service. We owe a huge debt of gratitude for incredible men and women. And I -- every time I come to Walter Reed, I am moved by the courage and bravery of the people I meet.
And so on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank our military families, thank the folks here who are wrapping gifts for the military families, and ask for God's blessings on our citizens. Thank you.""
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In this Photograph provided by the White House, President Bush, left, shakes the hand of Staff Sgt. Marcus Wilson, Dermott, Ark., after awarding him two Purple Hearts at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, as first lady.Laura Bush, second from left, and members of the Marine's family look on. Wilson is recovering from wounds suffered in Iraq.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island.....
Ha...I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Yes it is, fortunately I had the sense to look for this thread. And you haven't disappointed with the great start today.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Onyx.
Thank you, Dolphy. Are you going to have a white Christmas? Do you have snow on the ground now?
I hate those people. That's the same reason we have a dim majority in Congress now.
Honestly onyx, if I could gather up my friends and all the nearby strays (humans!) to eat at my table, I would do it. Every time I read this Scripture, it grips me, and I hope and pray some day to be able to fulfill it. (And I don't think Jesus meant we can't invite our friends when we want to have fellowship with them! He was explaining a different principle, one that goes beyond reciprocal friendship, here.)
Luke 14:12 And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13 But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
I know God wants us to do things so He can reward us, but this is truly one of those things I want to do even if I never were to receive a reward for it. I have known the pangs of dining while longing for company ... I can't even imagine what those without homes must go through at holiday times, or those whose lives are in temporary disarray and they have no place to land and feel loved while they break bread together.
Yep --- me too and they're running wild here. I'll start battling AFTER Christmas and I might wait until after the first of the year!
A Blessed and Happy Christmas to you and your family!
Ah Huh! Suuure...
I use to to pick on my spouse about wrapping. But after years of being left to myself to do it all, I finally realized, it's the thought that counts. :)~
My heart breaks for those people too. We do what we can, GEM, and we pray for them. Husband and I no longer exchange pricey gifts: I donate to Boy's Town for him and he donates to animal shelters for me.
At least you're starting to wrap gifts! I got lazy (I was sick) this year and ordered gifts for my grand ones online and WRAPPED.
Yeah, me too. I'll try anyway :)
We have had rain for the last several days and I don't think there is any snow on the horizon. That's a bit of a disappointment as I really enjoy snow at Christmas...the good news is that my nieces and nephew won't have me out sledding Christmas day. They are young and sledding mostly seems to involve me carrying them and the sleds up hills :)
Oh, I'll bet we were not too far from you when we visited Johnstown for the Dump Murtha Rally... were you there perchance?
I'm done wrapping. Still have three batches of cookies to make, three casseroles to make, and the house cleaning!! Then I can have fun watching movies and celebrating with my family. I can't wait for the fun part, and if I'd get off the computer, it would be here faster. LOL!
"Ha...I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one. MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
That wasn't me, that was that Onyx person.
I....on the other hand, have been done with my wrapping for weeks!
(not)
I think I am going to compose a dismissive sentence or two, to post to the nasty posters who serial post stuff that I have grown tired of seeing repeatedly posted here. Bash and trash stuff that is better left to democrats.
LOL --- yeah it's this onyx person who has not yet wrapped present number one. Does that still make you feel better....lol?
:)
That is awesome that you donate to charities in one another's name.
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