Take Your Time Mr. President

       Vol.1                                          Issue 22

If you're reading this, then I've died in Iraq. I don't regret going. Everybody dies, but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it's not to me. I'm here helping these people, so they can live the way we live. Not [to] have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark.    Jeff Starr – USMC

President George W. Bush visited Kernersville, North Carolina on December 5, 2005.  He is only the second president to visit our little town.  Though he has driven through on the highway a time or two, on this day he stopped.

George Washington was here in 1791. Pausing for breakfast as he traveled from the village of Salem to the Guilford Courthouse battleground, he caused little stir among the citizenry. People still debate whether he rode in a carriage or was mounted on a white steed.  Few were present to mark the occasion so I guess no one really knows for sure.  A marker off Main Street commemorates the event.

Much time has passed since that first Presidential visit.  The dusty crossroads has grown into a community of 50,000.  So, when President Bush came to town, streets had to be closed. A manufacturing plant was shut down.  Elaborate security measures were enacted. Snipers climbed on roofs, and bomb sniffing dogs walked with stern looking security personnel. A mile long motorcade passed a few detractors as they stood in the rain with signs of protest. Sophisticated media from around the world descended upon us in a fleet of chartered buses. It was quite a sight.  A modern day motorcade now replaces the white steed.

Admirers clamored for tickets to an invitation only event. About 100 folks were lucky enough to make it inside. They joined another 100 or so manufacturing workers in eager anticipation of the arrival of the most powerful man in the world.

After a two hour wait, President Bush took the podium and talked about the economy. He bragged on local politicians and commended the fine work of those who built earth moving equipment for the Deere-Hitachi Company. He chided opponents to his tax cut and asked us not to forget to pray for our soldiers serving abroad.

After he finished, he quickly moved among the crowd shaking hands and signing autographs.  He smiled, laughed and took extra time to tease a youngster about missing school.  Understanding how important it was for folks to be with the President of the United States, he patiently posed for pictures and even donned a few ball caps for effect.  

Then just as quickly as he appeared he was gone and we all stood and waited. Security requires that no one leave the building until the Presidential motorcade has departed. Basking in the afterglow of the event, few seemed to mind.

Nearly 200 workers, politicians and well wishers mingled and made small talk.  Thirty minutes passed and we were still not allowed to leave.  Growing impatient with the wait many asked: “Wonder what’s taking him so long?”  Then someone said: “He has a special meeting.”  “With who?’ inquired a man sarcastically.  “Some high dollar contributor I bet,” exclaimed another. Then someone spoke quietly to a man standing next to him. Then some hearing what the first man had said, told others.  Soon the entire assembly was aware of what the President was doing and to whom he was speaking.  We all knew why it was taking so long. We all understood.

How do you comfort the parents of a soldier killed in the service of our country?  President Bush must ask this of himself each time he grasps a young widow’s hand. How do you wipe a tear from the cheek of a grieving mother?  How do you embrace the trembling shoulders of a devastated father?  How do you convey the immense gratitude of a nation for the sacrifice of someone so young?

While we were waiting impatiently to get about our daily business, George Walker Bush, the 43^rd President of the United States sat and cried with parents of a young man recently killed in Iraq.  I don’t know what words he used or how he communicated our country’s sorrow for their loss. Words just don’t seem adequate.  But as far as I am concerned my President could take as much time as he needed.