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A Visit From The President
September 16, 2008
President Bush speaks to the press following his visit with Walter Reed patients Sept. 9. Listening from left are Col. John Bradley chief of psychiatry and acting deputy commander for clinical services for the Walter Reed Health Care System; Command Sgt. Maj. Rudy DelValle; Col. Norvell Van Coots; and Maj. Gen. Carla G. Hawley-Bowland, commander of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Photo by Bernard Little (Photo taken from http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/09/12/12366-president-visits-wounded-warriors-at-walter-reed/)
One thing that President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush have done since the Global War on Terrorism began in 2001, is to visit the wounded warriors, their families and the staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on a regular basis. Walter Reed is the Army medical facility that receives and treats a large majority of Soldiers who are injured in the line of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“I come to Walter Reed to do a couple of things: first, to pay my respects to those who have been wounded,” the President said during remarks to the staff following his visit with patients, their families and staff. “I’ve come to pay my respects to the healers and doctors and nurses, and thank them for their service. I can truthfully say that the health care our Troops receive here is first-class,” he said. “I’ve also come to pay my respects to family members that are praying that their loved ones can get back on their feet and serve again, or get back on their feet and live a normal life,” the President continued.1
Having the President, their Commander in Chief visit them in the hospital is a great morale boost for the Troops. Many who are proud to have served our country in it’s time of need and don’t hesitate to say that they’d do it again. Many have the goal of recovering from their injuries and returning to their duties in the military. Often they’re able to achieve that goal.
Having spent some time at Walter Reed, visiting with the wounded warriors, I know of the pride, determination, drive and tenacity of our wounded warriors. So many of them are determined to overcome the physical limitations of their injuries, so that they can once again don their uniforms and serve our country. It was very inspirational to me, to be able to visit with these men and women. It wasn’t any less inspirational to President Bush.
“It’s an interesting experience because, on the one hand, you see the horrors of war, on the other hand, you see the courage of the people that have volunteered to serve. I marvel when I come to Walter Reed. I marvel at the fact that people say to me, ‘Mr. President, I’d do it again.’ And you see somebody in bed who’s been severely wounded, and they look and they say, ‘I’m honored and proud to have served.’”2
The overall positive attitude that permeates the halls of Walter Reed and other military hospitals such as Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, is something that should be experienced by every American. I’ve been amazed and inspired, each time I’ve visited the wounded warriors at one of these facilities. We in America, don’t realize just how lucky we are to have the caliber of men and women serving in our Armed Forces, protecting our country.
“America is lucky to have men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform and to serve to protect us…. “ said President Bush.3
My hope is that whomever is elected President, in the upcoming election will continue President and Mrs. Bush’s tradition of visiting our wounded warriors at Walter Reed. It’s my thoughts that not only is it the right thing to do, but it should be a requirement of the job as President of the United States of America.
- http://www.military.com/news/article/army-news/president-visits-wounded-warriors.html?wh=news [↩]
- http://www.military.com/news/article/army-news/president-visits-wounded-warriors.html?wh=news [↩]
- http://www.military.com/news/article/army-news/president-visits-wounded-warriors.html?wh=news [↩]
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