Bush delivers Independence Day message

“There are lessons we can learn from the experiences of the first Fourth of July. More than two centuries later it is clear July 4th was a turning point in history.”

These are the words former President George W. Bush spoke to the largest crowd to see him speak since he left the White House during the historical Let Freedom Ring 2009 at Crystal Beach Arena on Saturday evening.

As a surprise, Bush brought his wife Laura with him to Woodward. Both received a standing ovation from the crowd when promoter Landon Laubhan introduced them.

“I’m traveling with some pretty good company,” Bush said when Laura made her appearance. “She brought good old Western values to the White House.”

“This is a little different from the last eight years,” Bush said about being in Woodward. He said he had spent each Fourth of July during his presidency on the Truman Balcony watching fireworks over the Washington Monument.

He did say, however, that he was happy to be in “the middle-of-nowhere oilfield town of Woodward” as the Associated Press had deemed the city on Thursday.

“No wonder I feel comfortable here,” Bush said to applause when he quoted the article.

Bush then briefly touched on the history of Woodward. Being a Texan, he mentioned another famous Texan who became well known in Woodward -- Temple Houston.

Bush compared himself to Houston, saying Temple grew up in the governor’s mansion in Texas learning the family business just as he did while his father was a politician.

After making comparisons between Texas and Oklahoma, especially in the football department, Bush moved on to the crux of his speech -- patriotism.

“It is important on July 4 that all of us understand that because of the sacrifices of those who came before us America shines as a beacon of freedom,” he said.

Being commander and chief of the United States military is the biggest thing that Bush said he misses about not being president anymore.

“On this Independence Day I give our heartfelt thanks to those who wear the uniform,” he said. “This generation will do its duty and we will prevail.”

Besides military patriotism, Bush said there were other forms of patriotism. He mentioned some local forms such as Meridian Owens, an 8-year-old Girl Scout who saved several people from a burning building in Woodward this past year.

“Patriotism comes in all different kinds of ways,” Bush said, “ but they all involve serving something bigger than yourself.”

He recounted several stories of patriotism that he heard while in the White House. He mentioned Christian Bagge who in 2005 lost both of his legs while in Iraq.

“One of the most uplifting duties of the presidency was meeting people like Christian,” Bush said.

Bush said that when he met Bagge he was told that Bagge liked to jog. As a way to lift the soldier’s spirits Bush said that he and Bagge could go out jogging at the White House sometime.

A few months later Bush got a phone call from Bagge.

“He showed up at the White House with legs made of carbon fiber and a spirit stronger than steel,” Bush said. “He left me in the dust, and with his indelible portrait of courage and patriotism.”

Bush went on to mention a man from Nevada who had a son killed in Iraq. He wanted to serve in the military as a way to pay tribute to his son, but he was 60 years old. Bush said that the man could apply for a waiver if he had a skill the military needed. The man received his waiver and is now serving in Iraq as a battlefield medic in the Navy.

Another story of patriotism Bush told the crowd about involved a blind man in Mississippi who had his home ravished by Hurricane Katrina. This did not stop him though as he went on to become the first blind student at the University of Southern Mississippi to graduate suma cum laude.

Bush concluded his speech by saying, “If you’re a faithful person, I hope your faith is helping others.”

After finishing his speech Bush received another standing ovation. He then went into the crowd to shake some hands.

A spectator from the bleachers said “We miss you George,” which promptly started another round of cheers.

Before Bush spoke Laubhan gave his own speech about patriotism, complete with bagpipes. About a half hour before Bush took the stage a message from Mayor Bill Fanning was played on the two screens in the stadium.

“Let Freedom Ring marks the positive results our city has achieved,” Fanning said. “Today is truly a great day to be in Woodward.”