Bush Honors Fallen On Memorial Day

Dem. Response: Best Way To Honor Troops Is To End Role In Iraq's Civil War

(AP)  President Bush urged Americans to use Memorial Day to rededicate themselves to fighting for freedom around the world and pray for the safety of U.S. troops serving overseas.

"In Iraq and Afghanistan, millions have shown their desire to be free," Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address. "We are determined to help them secure their liberty."

On Monday, Bush will mark his sixth Memorial Day as a wartime president with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. He is to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to honor those who have died in past and current conflicts.

"From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, brave men and women have given up their own futures so that others might have a future of freedom," he said. "Because of their sacrifice, millions here and around the world enjoy the blessings of liberty. And wherever these patriots rest, we offer them the respect and gratitude of our nation."

Bush used his radio address to tell the story of Sgt. David Christoff Jr. of Rossford, Ohio, one of at least 3,431 members of the U.S. military who have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003. Christoff signed up for the Marines the day after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, saying he didn't want his brother and sister to "live in fear," Bush said.

---

Photos: Memorial Day 2007

---

Christoff was deployed to Iraq, where he fought in street battles in Fallujah and earned a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in action. He returned to Iraq and was killed last May in the volatile Anbar province.

"When his family received his belongings, his mother and his father each found a letter from David," Bush said. "He asked that they pray for his fellow Marines and all those still serving overseas."

Bush said U.S. troops are helping build democracies that respect the rights of their people, uphold the rule of law and become allies in the fight against extremists.

"On Memorial Day, we rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause," the president said.

For their weekly radio address, Democrats called on Elliot Anderson of Las Vegas, who spent four years on active duty with the Marine Corps, including a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Anderson said patriotism is an American value, not a Democratic or a Republican one.

"I strongly oppose our involvement in Iraq's civil war, but I am still proud of my service to my country," Anderson said.

"But I know I speak for many of my friends overseas when I say that the best way to honor the troops is to responsibly end our involvement in Iraq's civil war. As long as President Bush stays committed to the same policies that aren't working, it won't be easy. But I am proud to see Democrats and now some brave Republicans standing up to him."

[socrates392]

"Anderson said patriotism is an American value, not a Democratic or a Republican one."

"I strongly oppose our involvement in Iraq's civil war, but I am still proud of my service to my country," Anderson said.

Amen. Here's to our brave soldiers! I pray that Bush and congress find the strength to bring our troops home soon!

[randalds]

Bush has not earned the right to memorialise our troops! He hid out in various bars in Texas, getting drunk and snorting coke, during Vietnam because his daddy had enough influence to buy him a cushy Air Guard post. It's nauseating to hear him even speak of the bravery and sacrifice of our soldiers when it is he himself who is wasting their lives for nothing in Iraq in his war of profit for Cheney and ego for him. If he really wanted to do the right thing for the troops he'd bring them home. He won't of course for the simple reason that he does not CARE how many are killed or wounded to fulfill his dream of being a "war president". He needs to **** and go back to Texas and play toy soldiers on his phony movie set ranch, because that way at least real people aren't dying in his game.

[drummer94]

The paragraph," from Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad...." should have ended with: I beg your forgiveness for sending you on a mission and that I had no idea what I was doing. George is some piece of work. Were behind you mr. president,23%.

[homespunlady]

Memorial Day is one of tradition and remembrance for those that CARED about or nation and embraced our CONSTITUTION enough to protect it with their lives.
Good was measured in KIND ACTS and fair intelligent laws not wealth, power, fame or brutality.

[socrates392]

"The paragraph," from Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad...." should have ended with: I beg your forgiveness for sending you on a mission and that I had no idea what I was doing. George is some piece of work. Were behind you mr. president,23%."

Posted by drummer94 at 03:28 PM : May 26, 2007

I like your last line! LOL! ;-) Who are these 23%, anyway? Where do they live? I'd be fascinated to meet and talk with one of these people. I have an almost anthropological interest in studying their bizarre mentality.

[homespunlady]

drummer94
That paragraph uses one of the oldest speech writing tricks. Wondering if even his speech writers are getting careless too.
Repetition of the V, K, B and finally F gives it a sing song tone that is meant to resonate in the mind similar to some of the 60's civil rights speeches.
Too bad it resonates so fake with me.

Rather than uphold the freedoms and rights embodied in the Constitution this President has been all too eager to destroy them and destroy our military as well.

Remember our troops scrounging in DUMPS for vehicle armor?
Remember how just a few month ago our war wounded had to go public to get decent conditions at Walter-Reed?
The White House is now COMPLAINING that Congress wants to give out fighting men and women a HALF PERCENTAGE POINT RAISE more than their counterparts in civilian life are supposedly getting. That half point extra was granted to "catch up" when military pay fell far behind in comparability.
How many Generals have been replaced now after disagreeing with his single minded u-turn from OSAMA BIN LADEN to depose a petty dictator instead.
Now that the "dictator" is long gone we're STILL paying in blood and even FURTHER from getting the man that BRAGGED HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11.

[randalds]

I like your last line! LOL! ;-) Who are these 23%, anyway? Where do they live? I'd be fascinated to meet and talk with one of these people. I have an almost anthropological interest in studying their bizarre mentality.
Posted by socrates392 at 03:44 PM : May 26, 2007

They live deeeeeep in the hills of "Kintuck", are invariably married to their sister (or mother or in some cases both), go to "meetin'" every Sunday, swill moonshine every night (while sitting on the couch on the cabin porch next to the wringer washing machine), have a huge satellite dish in the yard so they can watch NASCAR, have blind kids who play a mean banjo, love to catch flatlanders (who they make "Squeal like a pig!") and only come out of the hills for Cheney/Bush rallies.

[homespunlady]

RandalDS
I beg to differ. I know a few people like you describe and although a few I suspect might cling to Bush I was SHOCKED to discover many more that are VERY outraged over him. They too have woken up to discover they've been scammed and some of their opinions about WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO DO ABOUT IT ARE ALMOST FRIGHTENING. Angering those people could lead to more than just a political loss.

I suspect the ones that are actually clinging to him are the less than honest group that has PROFITED from his policies.
I also suspect that group is MUCH SMALLER than the 23 percent that gets bantered around.
The ONLY reason it's 23 percent is that someone can lie with statistics well and the people behind him can buy the right statistics. It's to keep his poll numbers at least appearing to be a little higher than the all time lowest approval rating.
The problem though is when the truth keeps getting in the way.
I've seen poll numbers around 18 percent.

[realpatriot1]

OK Randal,

I can put up with the marrying your sister, swillin' moonshine, and blind boys playing banjos slurs but when you attack my NASCAR and satellite tv you attack America itself!

Boogedy Boogedy Boogedy, Let's go racin' boys!!!!

[randalds]

OK, OK, you caught me! I have been known to watch a NASCAR race from time to time and I do get my TV signal from a satellite dish (a mini DirecTV one), but there is no way I'd marry one of my sisters, even the cute ones!

I threw that in there because I participate in Zogby Polls (they email me and others when they have a new one and you answer it online) and one of the questions that is ALWAYS on there, no matter what the poll is about, is "Do you consider yourself a NASCAR fan". I always answer no.

[tucano2]

That this lying Draft Dodger is allowed into the hallowed grounds of a military cemetary is an outrage. It is an insult to the dead and an affront to the living.

[bareemperor]

The words 'Bu$h' and 'Honor' do not go well together...

[sclaires]

I am surprised that Bush would even consider going to the Tomb of the Unknowns at this time being the draft dodger he was and much less laying a wreath. He should just stay in Crawford and do nothing as he has been doing.

[gkc99]

If Bushit had any honor he would hang himself in shame. But he is the cowardly little coke head, Yale boola boola boy, desecrating Geronimo's skull in his secret frat boy masturbation in Skull and Bones, puppet of the menacing Darth Chickenshithawk of the "undisclosed location," tool of the multinational energy corporation, stealer of elections, corrupter of justice, and President of the United States of America. Happy Memorial Day!

[hoopersports]

Some of you people who post comments should really be ashamed. President Bush is honoring our fallen heros, the ones who fight for this great country and all you can do is keep on bashing the guy. You may not agree with the president on everything but I would think you would agree with him about honoring our military. God bless the USA

[gil3al]

I am retired from the army, speaking strictly for myself, little georgie has not earned the right to ATTEMPT to honor the dead of this nation, much less enter the cemetaries where they rest. Cutting and running early from his military obligation, reducing funding for our veterans, making war on the cheap illustrate a sub-human species to which despicable and coward readily come to mind, and of course his TRUE FEELINGS for the armed forces.

[gil3al]

I am retired from the army, speaking strictly for myself, little georgie has not earned the right to ATTEMPT to honor the dead of this nation, much less enter the cemetaries where they rest. Cutting and running early from his military obligation, reducing funding for our veterans, making war on the cheap illustrate a sub-human species to which despicable and coward readily come to mind, and of course his TRUE FEELINGS for the armed forces.

[gil3al]

I am retired from the army, speaking strictly for myself, little georgie has not earned the right to ATTEMPT to honor the dead of this nation, much less enter the cemetaries where they rest. Cutting and running early from his military obligation, reducing funding for our veterans, making war on the cheap illustrate a sub-human species to which despicable and coward readily come to mind, and of course his TRUE FEELINGS for the armed forces.

[gil3al]

I am retired from the army, speaking strictly for myself, little georgie has not earned the right to ATTEMPT to honor the dead of this nation, much less enter the cemetaries where they rest. Cutting and running early from his military obligation, reducing funding for our veterans, making war on the cheap illustrate a sub-human species to which despicable and coward readily come to mind, and of course his TRUE FEELINGS for the armed forces.

[gil3al]

I am retired from the army, speaking strictly for myself, little georgie has not earned the right to ATTEMPT to honor the dead of this nation, much less enter the cemetaries where they rest. Cutting and running early from his military obligation, reducing funding for our veterans, making war on the cheap illustrate a sub-human species to which despicable and coward readily come to mind, and of course his TRUE FEELINGS for the armed forces.

[sharncedar]

"You may not agree with the president on everything but I would think you would agree with him about honoring our military"

He didn't honor our war dead, he just made excuses for hinself again. Read what he said. He's blowing smoke, trying to justify himself, what did he say about our brothers and sons? Nothing, just his usual self-congratulation and hype about how he is spreading freedom around the world and how just his mistake of a war is.

Bush talks like a CEO after a big explosion or crisis, just hyping himself, making excuses, and blaming everyone but himself for any problems. Sounds like a fat phony to me, if that's good enough to trade your children's life then you are no kind of a parent. If you are trading other people's children for that half-a$$ed rhetoric, then you are no kind of an American.

[randalds]

You may not agree with the president on everything but I would think you would agree with him about honoring our military. God bless the USA
Posted by hoopersports at 09:25 PM : May 26, 2007

As a Vietnam veteran of that military who lost friends and family in that war let me restate the obvious, George W. Bush has not earned the right to speak the names of our fallen service members! He dis-honored himself by having his father buy him a cushy job in the Texas Air Guard so he would have nothing more dangerous to do during the war then to fly a bar stool at the officers club, something that by all accounts he excelled at! If he had any shame at all he'd shut up!

[walt1944-2009]

I hear that the "Bird of Paradise" found Bush in the Rose Garden the other day. It's too bad there aren't any pteradactlys around to make a "dictator sandwich" out of him! We should be so lucky!

SIG HEIL BUSH!

[realpatriot1]

We all honor our military but Bush has done nothing but use the military to score political points. The scumbag won't attend the funerals of our soldiers and won't allow the caskets to be photographed srriving at Dover because he's more concerned about his political image than he is in honoring their sacrifice.

He has done nothing but dishonor our military.

[gunownerdan]

Every time Bush or any other president ignores their oath of office, they are spitting on the graves of those who have died to protect our freedom.

[xzavierbrown]

too all of our fallen soldiers..THANK YOU!! I will never forget your service to our country.

THANK YOU...

[feelfree1]

Re: "Bush Honors Fallen For Memorial Day"

This does not seem possible. Unless the illegitimate Bush-puppet has apologized and turned himself over to face ear crimes and treason charges, it is very unlikely that he is able to honor anyone, other than Satan, of course.

[feelfree1]

Correction:

should be: 'Unless the illegitimate Bush-puppet has apologized and turned himself over to face WAR crimes and treason charges...', not EAR crimes.

[undermyboot]

"Bush Honors Fallen".
Someone who has so dishonored the highest office in the land can offer no honor to the most honorable of our patriots.

Bush us the slime under my boot as I step on dog ***

[samrensho]

That Bush even utters the word veteran makes me sick. He spent his "military time" chained to a beer keg. Bush prolongs the war in Iraq just to enrich his campaign contributors at the cost of thousands of lives. That scum sack must be tried for war crimes.

[homespunlady]

Memorial Day honors what WAS good in America.
So much of REAL American life and traditions has evaporated. Respect for mothers, concern for children, fathers that took responsibility rather than desert when a "better Model" came along.
Companies that stood by their employees and voluntarily paid a fair wage for labor.
The days that a CEO earned maybe 5 to 40 times his employees Not 300 or more times as many do now.
A government that broke up monopolies rather than hand them even more power.
A government that believed in DIPLOMACY rather than ILL-CONSIDERED PREEMPTIVE WAR to accomplish goals FOR THE GOOD OF THE NATION, not just the vile self serving URGES OF a wealthy elite and selected war profiteers
Presidents that actually believed in the Constitution rather than referring to it as a "G*D D****D Piece of Paper".
GREED, power lust and corporate irresponsibility will be the downfall of this nation.

From Wiki's description of Fascism:
Benito Mussolini claimed to have been the founder of fascism. Italian fascism (in Italian, fascismo) was the authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under Mussolini's leadership. Fascism in Italy combined elements of corporatism, totalitarianism, nationalism, militarism, and anti-Communism. Fascism won support as an alternative to the unpopular Liberalism of the time. It also won support of Italians who were anti socialist.

Why does this last description sound SO FAMILIAR THE LAST 6 YEARS????

[asor1-2009]

I will always have great pity for the families of those "fallen" women and men. However, nothing but disgust for our FALLEN President. He is a war mongering, money-loving, souless piece of ***.
This is true this Memorial Day weekend and always!

[barbaraf4]

(AP) "President Bush urged Americans to use Memorial Day to rededicate themselves to fighting for freedom around the world and pray for the safety of U.S. troops serving overseas."

This is obscene and I am deeply offended. We need to rededicate ourselves to fighting for freedom here in the United States. We wouldn't need to pray for the safety of U.S. troops serving overseas if Bush would simply bring them home - like the majority of the voters want.

With the track record of the Democrats who came in with majorities in November, I have realized that my vote does not count. I have voted all my life, but I will never vote again. It simply doesn't matter what is promised, once they are in office they are too busy scrambling for wealth to honor promises.

[antoniof123]

Happy Memorial Day everyone. I wish it was to say that there will be no more deaths out of Iraq. But we know the truth, until they can no longer handle the polls droping on their greedy lives.

The Republican congress will lock step and keep staying the course. You can not except the Dems to be able to override the veto if they don't have the votes to do so.

I believe that it is the 23% who say they are no longer going to vote or that this is a do nothing congress. In fact they have done more in just a few short months they the last 12 years of Republican congress.

The only reason why the first 6 years of Republican congress completed anything was because Bill Clinton forced them to do it. We see now what happens when you give power to the Republican NOTHING GOOD.

Have a Happy Memorial Day everyone!

[drummer94]

1000 dead soldiers and marines since last memorial day. How ya feelin' today mr. president? When I go to the cemetery tomorrow and hear "taps" and 21 guns, I'll shed a tear. How 'bout you?

[barbaraf4]

"I am surprised that Bush would even consider going to the Tomb of the Unknowns at this time being the draft dodger he was and much less laying a wreath."
Posted by sclaires at 08:06 PM : May 26, 2007

I agree. It seems like if he even approached the Tomb of the Unknowns he would be struck by a lightening bolt.

What follows is the oath taken by the very select soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns. It shows reverence and respect that Bush couldn't begin to understand.

The Sentinels Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect.
His bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

[bluestardad]

WE HAVE BEEN DRAWN INTO IRAQ and the MIDDLE EAST OUTSIDE AMERICAN NATIONAL INTEREST!

This can be proven and America can and should arrest Bush and Cheney their Entire Administration, Israeli NEOCONS TOO, and put them on trial for War Crimes just like we did the Nazis after WWII.


CHECK OUT THOSE REPRESENTATIVES THAT VOTE FOR THE WAR! If you follow the money trail you will find that most of those elected officials who support the war in Iraq are under the influence of AIPAC. AN ISRAELI POLITICAL LOBBY GROUP!

HERE ARE SOME OF AIPAC DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS! CONTACT THEM!

Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Steny Hoyer
http://hoyer.house.gov/contact/



READ AIPAC BRAG ABOUT THEIR INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN POLITICIANS!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

REMEMBER THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE IS RUN BY PRO ISRAELI GROUP! THEY ARE THE ONES WHO CAME UP WITH THIS SURGE IDEA!

EVEN AS AMERICAN MILITARY AID LANDS IN LEBANON, President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/ar
ticles/070305fa_fact_hersh

50 years of American involvement in the Middle East ENOUGH it has nothing worth one more American Life!

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY STANDS IN NEW YORK HARBOR AND IS NOT KNEELING IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

[mjv2944]

The above headline is a joke, BUSH HAS NO HONOR!!!! He does not deserve to be one the same hallowed ground that those heroes are resting in.

[maedean]

"On Memorial Day, we rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause."
Bush is one sicko !!!!! He should have to read the names one by one of all our troops that he has killed since he started this war on his radio address. Now they give this fool more money to keep this mess going. Get real !!!!!!!!

[starleo146]

Pres Bush again you do not get it. No one wants you the responsible one, at any memorial this Memorial Day. You sir are a disgrace to this nation and your Vice Pres. as well. I never thought I would say that about the Pres Of the United States but it is the truth so help me God. Do you sir think anyone wants to see the one responsible for their relative, or son, or daughters, death? For What Sir do you think your appearance can do any good but grieve them even more. You have caused great division amongst the American people we are hurting and we just want it fixed and next Memorial day we only want to celebrate not one more death just the Brave that have given so much for their country and I stand up and salute each and every one in this war and past wars. God BLESS YOU

[rharrin1]

With the track record of the Democrats who came in with majorities in November, I have realized that my vote does not count. I have voted all my life, but I will never vote again. It simply doesn't matter what is promised, once they are in office they are too busy scrambling for wealth to honor promises.

Posted by barbaraf4 at 08:47 AM : May 27, 2007

Hey Barbara your vote is not wasted as the democrats do not have enough votes to override the bush veto. Your voice will be heard in September when more republican rubber stampers start fearing for their job. But they will learn they waited to long to start being honest citizens again.

Don't give up.

[starleo146]

Gosh RandalIds that was quite a synopsis of the hills of KINTUCK you must of been there did you see Mitch Mc Connell ? I wish you would of shook his hand and told him this and about his moonshine ideas.

[rharrin1]

bush has proven once again there is no limit that he will go to dishonor the military and now fallen heroes of this country.

[xzavierbrown]

all of these anti-bush liberals acts like they care about the military...or about anything else..all they care about is how and who they can FU8ck..what they CAN SMOKE..and the right to pervert anything and everything they decide worthy

[sparks224]

Bush should at lest have the decency to hide in shame on Memorial Day.

[starleo146]

Rharrin4 and barbaraf4 I almost know for sure Rharrin is right they did not have enough again to override the senate but I think Bush knows come September no one will take it any more and he complained so much about PORK you didn't hear that this time we got our Pork and come Fall we will get our troops. Never give up your vote that is one thing that is precious to all of us and one person can make a difference. This is what the Rove Crowd wants Democrats fighting democrats don't let them get away with it. We are on offense don't let them put us on defense.

[rharrin1]

Some of you people who post comments should really be ashamed. President Bush is honoring our fallen heros, the ones who fight for this great country and all you can do is keep on bashing the guy. You may not agree with the president on everything but I would think you would agree with him about honoring our military. God bless the USA

Posted by hoopersports at 09:25 PM : May 26, 2007

You have it totally wrong bush is dishonoring not honoring.

I haven't talked to anyone that has agreed with bush about anything.

Have you been in a coma for the last six years???

[starleo146]

gosh xzavierbrown --- were you in KINTUCK too?

[sparks224]

rharrin1,
We all agree that America%u2019s fallen soldiers should be honored.
But Bush is not the one to do it.

[starleo146]

Barbaraf I just read the Sentinels Creed We cannot lose a person like you that was just what we needed today.