President meets with Airmen, families during S.C. visit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melissa White
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush visited Airmen and their families here during a trip to South Carolina on Oct. 10.

"Team Charleston is humbled and thankful for the opportunity to once again host our commander in chief," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "We are the busiest flying wing in Air Mobility Command. During the past year, 48 percent of our personnel, almost 1,900 Airmen, have deployed ... some for as long as a year. We are honored that he took time to commend the efforts of our Airmen and their families."

During the his visit here, President Bush spent time shaking the hands of more than 250 Airmen and their family members. He also presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to Eileen Hadbavny from the American Red Cross and a former member of the 315th Airlift Wing here.

"I was honored because this was the first time I ever met the president -- it was kind of like seeing a star for the first time because I've only ever seen him on TV or in magazines," said Airman 1st Class Amanda Wildhaber, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "He told me the words of wisdom for the day was that the years seem short but the days seem long, and then he thanked me for my service."

However, the President didn't just spend time with Team Charleston members. He also took time to meet and take pictures with the Simpsonville Stars, an 11- and 12-year-old girls' softball team. President Bush congratulated the team for their recent win in the Little League Softball World Series.

The president then left to attend a reception in Kiawah Island, S.C., before heading back to Washington.