Judy Hamilton
8th May 2006, 05:55 AM (05:55)
This was sent to me by an Air Force friend.
A VISIT WITH THE PRESIDENT
In a message dated 4/24/2006 8:02:51 PM US Mountain
Standard Time:
Here are my first thoughts after returning to xxxxx from the DC trip to
visit with the President at the White House. Use them as you see fit.
It was an incredible two days. The occasion was the reunion of former Air
Force student pilots in UPT Class 70-04 here at Moody AFB.
President George W. Bush was one of those students, and I was their T-38
Flight Commander for the six months they were in that phase of
training. They were gracious enough to invite myself and a few of their
other instructors and training supervisors to share their reminiscences
of days gone by.
Tuesday morning, April 4, 2006, Bud Kendrick, who drove up to DC from
Gainesville, FL, picked me up at the Metro in Bethesda, and we drove
out to Andrews AFB for a tour of Air Force One. After going through
security to make certain we were who we said we were, they led us into
one of the largest hangars I've ever seen. It can hold both of the Air
Force One 747's and their smaller Air Force One Boeing 757, and still
have room for a few more aircraft of some what smaller dimensions. One of
the 74's was in Wichita getting mods, so we only saw one of the
747's and the 757, which we didn't board.
Colonel Tillman, who is the President's pilot, had some of his co-pilots
standing by as well as many of the other crew members who man
the various sections of AF One, and maintain it on the ground.
Off came our shoes for the walk through. Everything is absolutely
spotless. They showed us the entire aircraft and explained how each
section works while in flight. The tour took over two hours. When asked
how often they are requested to go through this exercise, Col.
Tillman said only about once a year, so we felt very, very privileged.
Yes, I sat in the Presidents office chair, AND, in the pilot's seat. After
so many years of "round gauges" this panel looked more like a
video game.
Tuesday evening we arrived at the White House gate at 1815. After going
through security we were met by the President and Mrs. Bush at
the front door---Awestruck Event #1. # 2 was when the President took my
hand and said, "It's great to see you again, Norm," (it's nice to
be remembered by the powerful).
After drinks, chat, etc., it was to their private dining room for dinner.
Since there were 33 of us, including the President and Mrs. Bush, they
had set three tables. GW was at #1, Laura was at #2, and #3 was "hosted"
by Bud. I was seated directly across the table from
Laura; what an honor. She is a real beauty, relaxed and as easy to talk
with as any of your closest friends; both of them are.
The menu was delicious, and the conversation beyond description. I'd
certainly like to own their wine cellar, too.
After dinner the President and Laura gave us a tour through their private
quarters, giving us a lot of history behind architectural features,
portraits, furniture, various rooms, etc.
Then GW asked, "You guys like to see the Oval Office?"
When he opened the door and I walked into THE ROOM--- Awestruck Event #3!
Folks, this just wasn't really registering with me by that point.
I felt as though I was floating above it all and observing this take place
outside of my body. Maybe the fact that I'd had no sleep since
early Monday morning didn't help the situation, either. NO, I did NOT sit
in THE CHAIR. After all, some things are sacred. However, I did
walk behind it and place both hands on the back of it. The thought
occurred to me that there had been many a high level butt chewing
issued from this exalted side of the desk. Oh, to have been a fly on the
wall. (No, I would have had to pass on a few of those infamous
moments during the previous administration.)
For me this, in many respects, was the high point of the evening. For an
hour or so we had a one-on-one discussion and cabinet level policy
and situation briefing by the President of the United States in the Oval
Office. We asked questions, got answers, made various personal
observations, got replies, and , in short, got a better insight into the
President's strategic thinking, policies, hopes and ambitions, than
you could get from any other source available today---thanks to our
liberal media. He replied to personal points of view and our specific
opinions. He was relaxed and candid with his remarks, and displayed the
intelligence, grasp, and self-assurance that we all hope that our
President possesses. He also told of Condi's great talent for
international affairs. One such incident he mentioned was her very firm
encounter
with the leader of one of a foreign nation with whom we were having a
problem concerning their internal injustices. In short, she laid down the
law to him.
The President is reverent, dynamic, articulate, passionate, and very
emphatic about his concern for the safety of our nation, the rest of
the world, and his hope that all oppressed people will be able to gain the
liberties that are their God given right. He also believes that it
is our national destiny to help them achieve this. He made observations
and specific comments I would not care to discuss in a
public forum, as the media would cut and splice to their agenda.
President Bush has a lot of frustration toward the media. He told us how
our forces had been able to eliminate much of the terrorist's top
leadership, and how close we had been to nailing bin Laden. We have the
technical ability to track the bad guys electronically. If they as
much as picked up a phone to make a call, ordinance was immediately
directed to the site placing the call. It was just a matter of time
before bin Laden was the one to collect the inbound.
When the media leaked the methods we were using, the terrorists
immediately stopped using electronic communications and started using
runners. In spite of this, the President promised that we will get bin
Laden, and we will cross any national border to do so. Another
concern he has is the growing desire among some people in this nation to
revert to a policy of isolationism. My own personal view point on
this has always been: If you aren't a member of the "club", you can't do
anything to help solve the "club's" problems. Isolationism is not
the answer, as tempting as it might seem at times.
Wednesday AM we were at the helicopter pad on the White House lawn to see
him off to CN where he was to give a speech. He called out
to us to behave ourselves and that he'd had a great time the night before.
This was followed by a tour of the rest of the White House we had
not seen the night before, guided by Mr. Oliver Hensley, a member of his
White House staff. This fellow should teach history in a university
when he retires from his government position; he's a store house of White
House history and detail.
Wednesday evening we had a dinner at the Army Navy Club followed by a
panel concerning GW's AF and Guard experiences. This was
organized and led by the staff of Ghost Wings Magazine, Adam and Brian
Makos. A few of us had worked with them earlier when they
commissioned a painting commemorating the President's pilot training days
at Moody AFB. Their magazine is a beauty and should be well
received by all who are interested in aviation history and the heroes who
helped shape it.
The President and Laura Bush are easy to talk with. He is articulate,
passionate , and absolutely convinced that we are doing the right thing
regarding terrorism. As I mentioned to him, there is no quick solution as
it may very likely take at least three generations to change the
radical Islamic mind set. He agreed, and stated that he is willing to take
all the time necessary. As he put it, we are still in Korea after
fifty year, helping those people guard their freedom. It is very
noticeable that he does not bash his opponents in either public or
private conversation---a point that is might refreshing in today's
American political environment.
When asked of his personal reaction when he was first told of the attack
on Twin Towers, he said his first thought was, "---What kind of
an idiot pilot gets so fouled up he hits a building by mistake." But when
the next one hit, he knew we were at war.
At that time AF One didn't have the capability for the instant
communications he needed to speak with his Washington staff, so they
landed at Barksdale AFB where he had access to the military nets. AF One
now has the equipment required to do anything while in flight
that can be done on the ground. Also, he was worried about the possible
dangers to his family back in DC. He also told of his conversations
with the national leaders of some of the Islamic nations. He told them, to
pick sides in the fight against terrorism, RIGHT NOW!. If
they weren't with us, they were against us, and they would suffer the
consequences.---A very decisive stand!
Rest assured, we have the right man in the Oval Office!
To be able to sit around and talk as we did years ago in a completely
different situation was really wonderful, and a privilege. The
President and his classmates all seemed as full of the camaraderie as they
had shared over a third of a century earlier. It was a great
sight to see this interchange, and to know that you had been, in a small
part, a participant in their road to success. (It seems that
I've had a hand in the initial training of darn near half of this nation's
cadre of airline pilots.)
It was a jammed packed couple of days, and I'm certain I will think of
many other little things said and done as time goes by.
Regards,
Norm Conant
A VISIT WITH THE PRESIDENT
In a message dated 4/24/2006 8:02:51 PM US Mountain
Standard Time:
Here are my first thoughts after returning to xxxxx from the DC trip to
visit with the President at the White House. Use them as you see fit.
It was an incredible two days. The occasion was the reunion of former Air
Force student pilots in UPT Class 70-04 here at Moody AFB.
President George W. Bush was one of those students, and I was their T-38
Flight Commander for the six months they were in that phase of
training. They were gracious enough to invite myself and a few of their
other instructors and training supervisors to share their reminiscences
of days gone by.
Tuesday morning, April 4, 2006, Bud Kendrick, who drove up to DC from
Gainesville, FL, picked me up at the Metro in Bethesda, and we drove
out to Andrews AFB for a tour of Air Force One. After going through
security to make certain we were who we said we were, they led us into
one of the largest hangars I've ever seen. It can hold both of the Air
Force One 747's and their smaller Air Force One Boeing 757, and still
have room for a few more aircraft of some what smaller dimensions. One of
the 74's was in Wichita getting mods, so we only saw one of the
747's and the 757, which we didn't board.
Colonel Tillman, who is the President's pilot, had some of his co-pilots
standing by as well as many of the other crew members who man
the various sections of AF One, and maintain it on the ground.
Off came our shoes for the walk through. Everything is absolutely
spotless. They showed us the entire aircraft and explained how each
section works while in flight. The tour took over two hours. When asked
how often they are requested to go through this exercise, Col.
Tillman said only about once a year, so we felt very, very privileged.
Yes, I sat in the Presidents office chair, AND, in the pilot's seat. After
so many years of "round gauges" this panel looked more like a
video game.
Tuesday evening we arrived at the White House gate at 1815. After going
through security we were met by the President and Mrs. Bush at
the front door---Awestruck Event #1. # 2 was when the President took my
hand and said, "It's great to see you again, Norm," (it's nice to
be remembered by the powerful).
After drinks, chat, etc., it was to their private dining room for dinner.
Since there were 33 of us, including the President and Mrs. Bush, they
had set three tables. GW was at #1, Laura was at #2, and #3 was "hosted"
by Bud. I was seated directly across the table from
Laura; what an honor. She is a real beauty, relaxed and as easy to talk
with as any of your closest friends; both of them are.
The menu was delicious, and the conversation beyond description. I'd
certainly like to own their wine cellar, too.
After dinner the President and Laura gave us a tour through their private
quarters, giving us a lot of history behind architectural features,
portraits, furniture, various rooms, etc.
Then GW asked, "You guys like to see the Oval Office?"
When he opened the door and I walked into THE ROOM--- Awestruck Event #3!
Folks, this just wasn't really registering with me by that point.
I felt as though I was floating above it all and observing this take place
outside of my body. Maybe the fact that I'd had no sleep since
early Monday morning didn't help the situation, either. NO, I did NOT sit
in THE CHAIR. After all, some things are sacred. However, I did
walk behind it and place both hands on the back of it. The thought
occurred to me that there had been many a high level butt chewing
issued from this exalted side of the desk. Oh, to have been a fly on the
wall. (No, I would have had to pass on a few of those infamous
moments during the previous administration.)
For me this, in many respects, was the high point of the evening. For an
hour or so we had a one-on-one discussion and cabinet level policy
and situation briefing by the President of the United States in the Oval
Office. We asked questions, got answers, made various personal
observations, got replies, and , in short, got a better insight into the
President's strategic thinking, policies, hopes and ambitions, than
you could get from any other source available today---thanks to our
liberal media. He replied to personal points of view and our specific
opinions. He was relaxed and candid with his remarks, and displayed the
intelligence, grasp, and self-assurance that we all hope that our
President possesses. He also told of Condi's great talent for
international affairs. One such incident he mentioned was her very firm
encounter
with the leader of one of a foreign nation with whom we were having a
problem concerning their internal injustices. In short, she laid down the
law to him.
The President is reverent, dynamic, articulate, passionate, and very
emphatic about his concern for the safety of our nation, the rest of
the world, and his hope that all oppressed people will be able to gain the
liberties that are their God given right. He also believes that it
is our national destiny to help them achieve this. He made observations
and specific comments I would not care to discuss in a
public forum, as the media would cut and splice to their agenda.
President Bush has a lot of frustration toward the media. He told us how
our forces had been able to eliminate much of the terrorist's top
leadership, and how close we had been to nailing bin Laden. We have the
technical ability to track the bad guys electronically. If they as
much as picked up a phone to make a call, ordinance was immediately
directed to the site placing the call. It was just a matter of time
before bin Laden was the one to collect the inbound.
When the media leaked the methods we were using, the terrorists
immediately stopped using electronic communications and started using
runners. In spite of this, the President promised that we will get bin
Laden, and we will cross any national border to do so. Another
concern he has is the growing desire among some people in this nation to
revert to a policy of isolationism. My own personal view point on
this has always been: If you aren't a member of the "club", you can't do
anything to help solve the "club's" problems. Isolationism is not
the answer, as tempting as it might seem at times.
Wednesday AM we were at the helicopter pad on the White House lawn to see
him off to CN where he was to give a speech. He called out
to us to behave ourselves and that he'd had a great time the night before.
This was followed by a tour of the rest of the White House we had
not seen the night before, guided by Mr. Oliver Hensley, a member of his
White House staff. This fellow should teach history in a university
when he retires from his government position; he's a store house of White
House history and detail.
Wednesday evening we had a dinner at the Army Navy Club followed by a
panel concerning GW's AF and Guard experiences. This was
organized and led by the staff of Ghost Wings Magazine, Adam and Brian
Makos. A few of us had worked with them earlier when they
commissioned a painting commemorating the President's pilot training days
at Moody AFB. Their magazine is a beauty and should be well
received by all who are interested in aviation history and the heroes who
helped shape it.
The President and Laura Bush are easy to talk with. He is articulate,
passionate , and absolutely convinced that we are doing the right thing
regarding terrorism. As I mentioned to him, there is no quick solution as
it may very likely take at least three generations to change the
radical Islamic mind set. He agreed, and stated that he is willing to take
all the time necessary. As he put it, we are still in Korea after
fifty year, helping those people guard their freedom. It is very
noticeable that he does not bash his opponents in either public or
private conversation---a point that is might refreshing in today's
American political environment.
When asked of his personal reaction when he was first told of the attack
on Twin Towers, he said his first thought was, "---What kind of
an idiot pilot gets so fouled up he hits a building by mistake." But when
the next one hit, he knew we were at war.
At that time AF One didn't have the capability for the instant
communications he needed to speak with his Washington staff, so they
landed at Barksdale AFB where he had access to the military nets. AF One
now has the equipment required to do anything while in flight
that can be done on the ground. Also, he was worried about the possible
dangers to his family back in DC. He also told of his conversations
with the national leaders of some of the Islamic nations. He told them, to
pick sides in the fight against terrorism, RIGHT NOW!. If
they weren't with us, they were against us, and they would suffer the
consequences.---A very decisive stand!
Rest assured, we have the right man in the Oval Office!
To be able to sit around and talk as we did years ago in a completely
different situation was really wonderful, and a privilege. The
President and his classmates all seemed as full of the camaraderie as they
had shared over a third of a century earlier. It was a great
sight to see this interchange, and to know that you had been, in a small
part, a participant in their road to success. (It seems that
I've had a hand in the initial training of darn near half of this nation's
cadre of airline pilots.)
It was a jammed packed couple of days, and I'm certain I will think of
many other little things said and done as time goes by.
Regards,
Norm Conant