Alamogordo,
Jan 23, 2004 -
It was Nuthin’ Fancy lunchtime Thursday for President George W. Bush as he approached the counter of a Roswell restaurant, ordered more than $60 worth of ribs and mingled with local patrons after his speech on the War on Terror at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center.
Ellis Neel/Daily News MAKING A POINT—President George W. Bush discusses his war on terror during a brief official visit to the Roswell Convention and Civic Center in Roswell Thursday. "We will never seek a permission slip to defend the American people," Bush said.
Bush and other officials were escorted by motorcade to “Nuthin’ Fancy” after his remarks were well-received by a large group of New Mexico Military Institute cadets, Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range personnel and other guests from around the state.
A small group of people were inside the restaurant when the President and other representatives walked in and ordered some lunch to go.
Bush visited with the patrons for about 35 minutes, taking the time to pose for pictures and discuss issues, Rep. Steve Pearce said.
“People were just walking in and you could see they were just stunned,” Pearce said.
Normally, government officials remain separated from the public by an invisible line, Pearce explained.
But being able to introduce District 2 constituents was just awesome, he said. “And he just loves people and that shows in everything that he does.”
Bush arrived in town on Air Force One at about 9:40 a.m. and made his way down Main Street to the civic center.
He was greeted by loud applause and anxious faces in what Sen. Pete V. Domenici called a historic moment for New Mexico and the entire nation.
Alamogordo resident Sgt. Stephen Miller, currently serving a one-year National Guard assignment at Holloman, was so excited Wednesday night that he couldn’t fall asleep.
Airman Dallas Bowman, also of Holloman, went so far as to call home to West Virginia to brag about her upcoming day.
“I called home and was like ‘Guess what I’m going to do,’” she said.
“It’s not something you do everyday,” Holloman Airman Sonrisa Espinoza said.
NMMI cadets Staff Sgt. Andrew Launer and recruit Sergio Wyllie, both of Alamogordo, agreed and both were excited to hear the President speak.
The majority of the military personnel had never laid eyes on a sitting president before Thursday.
And many were very pleased with his message and his positive and determined attitude toward freedom in Iraq.
“A free Iraq will help change the world,” Bush said to the audience and media cameras.
“People ask what are we doing for the long term? We’re promoting freedom,” Bush said.
“The world is changing for the better.”
Many were also impressed by his views on the Patriot Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, Jobs for the 21st Century, health care, the temporary worker program, faith-based programs in the military, the economy, various tax breaks, military families and veteran issues.
“He was very strong and committed,” Lt. Col. Rogelio Banez of WSMR said. “His education programs are for everybody, not one group, not one race, not one income level, but for everybody.”
Sgt. Julia Daniels, also of WSMR, was also pleased with Bush’s plans for education.
“His No Child Left Behind program is really important to our country. And he wants our education system to train people for jobs that are actually out there,” she said in reference to Jobs for the 21st Century.
Even though a large portion of Bush’s speech was included in Tuesday’s State of the Union address, it was great to hear it from him in person, Spc. Tammy Launer of WSMR said.
Throughout Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the President and his administration have remained extremely supportive of the military and its families, Tech. Sgt. Ben Miranda of Holloman’s 49th Security Forces said.
Miranda left for Iraqi Freedom three days after his daughter, Minah, was born and returned five months after on Oct. 30, 2003.
Throughout Miranda’s deployment, his wife, Gaby, felt this support through Holloman’s Family Support Center, the 49th Fighter Wing itself and the Alamogordo community.
“He made a good point when he stated that if we promote freedom to other nations, that will trickle, what I call a ‘domino effect,’ to other nations,” he said.
“It’s not just something that you learn to do. It’s something that you’re born with. You want to be free,” Miranda said.
Bush, his administration and Congress acted boldly when they passed the vote to go enter the War against Terrorism, Bush said.
With Americans’ courage and steadfastness, the United States will prevail in the first war of the 21st century, he said.
He leaned over the podium and said, “Now we’re marching to peace and freedom.”
The crowd reacted with loud clapping, cheering and hollering.
“The state of this union is strong and it is confident,” Bush continued.
“Our military is second to none,” he said. “And those of you that have got relatives in the United States military and if you do, please tell them the Commander In Chief is really proud of their service.”
“Sometimes you have to make the tough choices,” Bush said in reference to going to war.
“As I said the other night, we will never seek a permission slip to defend the American people,” he said.
Bush continued his remarks as he honored the fallen, thanked National Guard and Reserve members and the military families.
“American military families are steadfast and strong. Not only should we share in that gratitude, but we should make them this promise: your loved one will have the resources you need to fight and win the War on Terrorism,” Bush said.
