Bush speaks of the greatness of this nation

What a change from what we've been hearing eh?

Former President George W. Bush addressed a capacity crowd Wednesday night at the Wilderness Resort and Convention Center in Sevierville.

Bush wowed a crowd of more than 9,000 that attended a three-day conference of the Phil Waldrep Ministries based in Decatur, Ala.

Bush gave the enthusiastic crowd a patriotic message of joy, hope and faith in our families.

Each branch of the military was recognized during the 90-minute program.

“Every day in the White House was a joyous day for me,” the 43rd president said. “I miss being commander and chief of our military the most. You know you live in an amazing country when we have servicemen that continually volunteer to serve their country in the face of danger. I believe we have an obligation to give our troops all the support they need to accomplish their missions.”

The former president said he still has faith that conflicts in the Middle East can eventually be resolved.

“There are individuals out there that kill to achieve their ideology,” he said. “In the United States, our ideology is our assurance to freedom. That’s what makes us great and unique.”

Bush said Japan was once a sworn enemy of the United States but is now an ally because of its desire to become a free nation.

“Something happened over the past 60 years that transformed our enemy (Japan) to an ally,” he said.

“It was their desire to become free. That same democratic core can happen in the Middle East if we don’t lose sight that people everywhere should have the right to freedom.”

Each president chooses a portrait of their favorite past president to hang in the oval office and for Bush, that was Abraham Lincoln.

“I believe Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president of all time,” Bush said.

“He believed that all men were created equal under God even during times of civil war. He believed in the spirit of freedom. I believe in God Almighty and that everyone desires to be free and want peace.”

A Methodist by faith, Bush said every American has the right to worship God in any way he or she wants.

“The President of the United States should never promote a particular religion,” he said.

“That’s just another thing that makes us such a great nation, being able to worship God as we choose.”

...

Bush said he was proud to represent the United States during his eight-year tenure.

“The institution of president is so much more important than the person,” he said. “I tried to bring honor to the office for eight years.”

Phil Waldrep said Bush’s comments were right on target.

“He made everyone feel at ease,” Waldrep said. “I hope everyone walked away from here with a little skip in their step. It was non-political and made me proud to be an American.”

We will all miss this man and soon. 

All.

Comments

[Bernie]

Come back George - we miss you.

[Willa]

I miss this man much more than I ever thought I would.

Didn't love everything he did, but never for a moment doubted that he loved this country and its people, and cared about his troops.

[Chris Vehr]

History will be kind to George w. Bush.

[Ron]

Yes, he is a man, not a king as Obama wants to be. Can't believe they still are blaming Bush for Obama's messes. I have respect for the office but not the man in it.God help us through theses times.

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

Now there's a president.

[Mommynator]

There is true humility and grace.

Like Willa said, I didn't always agree with everything he did, but the knot in my chest while my son was in Iraq twice was probably much smaller than it could have been under what we have now parading around as a CinC.

Yep, I miss Mr. Bush very much - another cheerleader for the goodness and creativity of the people of the United States.