[RR] Interesting

[Bob Simons]

Maybe someone can verify this for me-   Why and How the Military Salutes President Bush   Have you noticed a difference in the salute given by our military men and women as President Bush walks by?  Most folks would not notice anything, but military people see it right away.   Watch: when President Bush leaves his helicopter or Air Force One, the honor guards salute and face him as he disembarks, then turn their faces towards him as he passes by. They continue to salute his back as he walks away.   This kind of salute has not been seen in the previous eight years, though it is customary courtesy to the Commander-in-Chief. You see, soldiers aren't required to turn and face the President as they salute.  They are not required to salute his back.  They are only required to salute.  They can remain face-forward the entire time.    And that is what they did during Bill Clinton's entire Presidency.  Our soldiers were forced to obey Clinton's orders, but they were not forced to respect him. ...From their salutes, we can surmise that they did not.   Why is such respect afforded to President Bush?  He doesn't even know how to bite his lower lip and he gets teary-eyed whenever he speaks! ...The following incident from Major General Van Antwerp may give us an insight.  Gen.  Antwerp is president of the Officers' Christian Fellowship. He lost nearly all his staff when the Pentagon was attacked Sept.11.  His executive officer LTC Brian Birdwell was badly burned and in the hospital when President Bush visited him.  Our President spent time and prayed with Brian.  As he was getting ready to leave, he went to the foot of Brian's bed and saluted.  He held his salute until Brian was able to raise his burned and bandaged arm, ever so slowly, in return.    The Commander-in-Chief never initiates a salute, except in the case of a Congressional Medal of Honor winner.  The injured soldier did not have to return the salute.  But he did, out of respect to his President - a Soldiers President.   Congressman JC Watts (R.  Oklahoma) said, "Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.  In this time of war and danger, I am so grateful to have a President whom the soldiers salute - fully." On Special Report with Brit Hume, at the close of the show when they normally have some funny video clip, they showed President Bush and the First Lady on their way to Marine One to leave for Camp David for the weekend. As the video starts, the First Lady is leading the way into the helicopter with the spaniel dog on the leash, and the president is right behind her with the Scotty on the leash.  As the First Lady entered the chopper, the Marine at the gangway saluted and held his salute.    The Scottie the President was walking decided it wanted to squat right when he got to steps.  The president pulled on its' leash, but the stubborn Scottie persisted in squatting. The President bent down and scooped up the pooch and entered Marine One.  After he entered, the Marine cut his salute and returned to the position of attention.   Moments later the president reemerged from the helicopter and out onto the steps.  The Marine was standing at attention, head and eyes straight ahead. The president leaned over and tapped him on the left arm.  The startled Marine turned his body toward the president and received his returned salute! I was so impressed by this true act of respect for our military people by our president!  He really does get it.  Most any other person of his stature would have just continued his journey, disregarding the neglected return salute.  Not George W.  Bush.  He is earning the respect of the military community, not expecting it - as most would. Bob Simons   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11 [EMAIL PROTECTED]