Yesterday, my Staff Platoon Commander (SPC) asked for 12 volunteers to clean toilets. I volunteered because I have a talent for cleaning commodes and because I didn't want to sit in the barracks for an hour doing nothing. My SPC had the volunteers follow him into his office to give us the lowdown on the project and told us that we were not going to be cleaning toilets, but actually going to
eat lunch with President Bush! This news also explained why there were men in suits walking all over the roofs on base (not normal).
At ten o'clock this morning about 250-300 Lieutenants and Marines of various ranks formed up outside our chow hall. We went through security and settled into our seats at a table. The chow hall was highly decorated and completely rearranged. We waited about an hour before we were told to get in line. When we went through the chow line, we had actual silverware and China plates. The food was excellent!
We sat down and started eating. Soon, Attention on Deck was called and we all stood as the President and his staff entered the room. It was almost surreal. It was like almost like I knew these people because I have seen them all over the media for so many years. Incoming White House Press Secretary
Dana Perino sat at my table. She is really down to earth and shared some interesting stories about the President.
Ms. Perino told us that after a big event like the President's speech last night, the staff is exhausted and just wants a day off. The media, however, is always looking for something and will follow the President wherever he goes, so he chooses to do something uplifting after big events. Hence. The Basic School.
President Bush began speaking as we finished up chow and spoke about the significance of the war and how we will stay in Iraq as long as he believes the war is winnable. He shared that this is a fight about democracy and responsibility. He said the US has the responsibility to stop the murder of innocent people.
After his speech, we were allowed to ask the President questions. One Lieutenant asked him who is the most interesting person he has met while in the White House. President Bush answered that it is the Prime Minister of Japan. One reason is because the Prime Minister is an Elvis fan. The President took him to Graceland and the Prime Minister sang Elvis songs while there. Then he noted that 60 years ago, George H.W.Bush was in a Navy fighter jet trying to shoot down the Japanese as they were our sworn enemy. Now Japan is one of our greatest allies.
The President encouraged us about Iraq. He said is knows he is idealistic, but he truly wants Iraq to be free. He said it won't be easy and it won't happen as quickly as we want it to. He also mentioned that it took the United States nearly 100 years to realize that all of our citizens should be free and the Abraham Lincoln didn't check the polls to see if abolishing slavery was the popular thing to do, he knew it was the right thing to do.
It was a very encouraging day and I found renewed faith in our President. He seems to be genuine and definitely sticks with his ideals no matter what others say.
