President Bush wraps up Pacific economic tour

  • Published
  • By Marine Sgt. Jeremy M. Vought
  • Air Force News Hawaii
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) --  President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush touched down here Nov. 20 after completing the last leg of the president's Pacific economic tour.

The president's visit to Hawaii capped off eight days traveling in the Pacific Theater, with the president meeting with leaders in Russia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Adm. William Fallon, commander of Pacific Command, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, along with numerous other state and military leaders were on hand to greet the president, First Lady and secretary of state. President Bush then dined with the governor and military officials at Pearl Harbor.

On the morning of Nov. 21, the president and Mrs. Bush had breakfast with a group of Hawaii-based servicemembers here.

"The men and women who wear the uniform are the best America has to offer," President Bush said. "You belong to the finest armed forces the world has ever known. I appreciate the fact that you have volunteered to wear our uniform in these troubled times, that you have volunteered knowing the dangers into which you might be sent. It's an incredible country when people of character stand up and say 'I want to serve something greater than my self-interests.'"

Fresh off his Asian tour, the president emphasized the work servicemembers do in the Pacific region.

"You cover an area that spans more than half of the surface area of the earth; you got a really important job," said the president.

"You serve freedom's cause when you help others be able to defend themselves," President Bush said. "You serve freedom's cause when you help young democracies fight off the extremists who try to impose their hateful vision of the world. What happens in Asia-Pacific matters to America's security here at home."

After the breakfast, the president met with senior PACOM leaders, discussing his thoughts on the Pacific Theater.

During this time the First Lady met with servicemembers, retirees and military family members in a roundtable discussion about quality of life issues in the military.

"This goes right to the heart of the issue," said Master Sgt. Tommy Holmes. He went on to commend the First Lady for her honesty and openness to caring for the military family.

Upon finishing their meeting on Camp Smith, they headed back to the Hickam flightline, where a crowd of 300 servicemembers were present to see them off. The president and First Lady greeted the servicemembers, shaking their hands and thanking them before taking off on Air Force One to head back to Washington, D.C.

"It's not every day you get to see our commander in chief and I thought it was an excellent opportunity to get out here and meet the president," said Lt. Cmdr. Deborah Darminio, 14th Coast Guard District.

"It was exciting," said Senior Airman Alison Stewart, an intelligence systems integrator with Pacific Air Forces. Airman Stewart said she was happy for the handshake and thank you. "That was very humbling and very nice of him because he was walking slow and making sure he shook everyone's hand."

"He looked me dead in the eye and said 'Sarge, I appreciate everything you're doing for me out there,'" says Marine Sgt. Jeremiah Burcher, Marine Forces Pacific. "Actually getting acknowledgement for doing something good out here felt pretty good."