Respect is not just given it is earned

[Guest guest]

Why and How the Military Salutes President BushHave you noticed a difference in the salute given by our military menand women as President Bush walks by? Most folks would not noticeanything, but those who were or are in military people see it right away.Watch: when President Bush leaves his helicopter or Air Force One, thehonor guards salute and face him as he disembarks, then turn their facestowards him as he passes by. They continue to salute his back as he walks away.This kind of salute has not been seen in the previous eight years, though it is customary courtesy to the Commander-in-Chief. You see, soldiers aren't required to turn and face the President as theysalute. They are not required to salute his back. They are onlyrequired to salute. They can remain face-forward the entire time. And that is what they did during Bill Clinton's entire Presidency. Our soldiers were forced to obey Clinton's orders, but they were not forced to respect him.From their salutes, we can surmise that they did not. Why is such respect afforded to President Bush? He doesn't even know how to bite his lower lip and he gets teary-eyed whenever he speaks! The following incident from Major General Van Antwerp may give us an insight. Gen. Antwerp is president of the Officers' Christian Fellowship. He lost nearly all his staff when the Pentagon was attacked Sept.11. His executive officer LTC Birdwell was badly burned and in the hospital when President Bush visited him. Our President spent time and prayed with . As he was getting ready to leave, he went to the foot of 's bed and saluted. He held his salute until was able to raise his burned and bandaged arm, ever so slowly,in return.The Commander-in-Chief never initiates a salute, except in the case of a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. The injured soldier did not have to return the salute. But he did, out of respect to his President - a Soldiers' President.Congressman JC Watts (R. Oklahoma) said, "Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. In this time of war and danger, I am so grateful to have a President whom the soldiers salute - fully." On Special Report with Brit Hume, at the close of the show when they normally have some funny video clip, they showed President Bush and then First Lady on their way to Marine One to leave for Camp for the weekend. As the video starts, the First Lady is leading the way into the helicopter with the spaniel dog on the leash, and the president is right behind her with the y on the leash.As the First Lady entered the chopper, the Marine at the gangwaysaluted and held his salute. The ie which the President was walking decided it wanted to squat right when he got to the steps. The president pulled on its'leash, but the stubborn ie persisted in squatting. The President bent down and scooped up the pooch and entered Marine One. After he entered, the Marine cut his salute and returned to the position of attention. Moments later the president reemerged from the helicopter and out onto the steps. The Marine was standing at attention, head and eyes straight ahead. The president leaned over and tapped him on the left arm. The startled Marine turned his body toward the president and received his returned salute! I was so impressed by this true act of respect for our military people by our president! He really does get it. Most any other person of his stature would have just continued his journey, disregarding the neglected return salute. Not W. Bush. He is earning the respect of the military community, not expecting it - as most would.