|
He HAS met with family members on occasions when he's in town campaign or fundraising. I've seen references to these events regularly. Here's part of one story -- there's plenty to whack him about, but he's at least telling a partial truth here. Google for "bush comfort families" and you'll find some of the stories.
<i>LAKELAND - The room was filled with the families of fallen servicemen. President Bush had asked to meet with them, knowing that some may condemn him for the decisions he has made.
What followed was an hour and half of tears, hugs, intense listening and healing words. That was the scene described Thursday by family members who met Bush the day before at a MacDill Air Force Base conference room.
After entering and making a brief introduction - that he wanted to cry and laugh and hug and get to know their loved ones - Bush worked his way around the room, spending 10 to 15 minutes with each family.
For Donna Ginther, wife of Navy Petty Officer Ron Ginther, who was killed by mortar fire May 2 in Iraq, Bush had words of encouragement after she expressed fears of raising her 9-year-old daughter alone.
``He put his forehead to my forehead and was like, `Look at me,' and I was looking in his eyes, and I'm just crying, and he says, `You're going to do it. You're going to do it, and you have all of us here to help you,' '' said Donna Ginther, of Auburndale.
Rachel Ascione, sister of Marine Lance Cpl. Ronald Payne Jr., who died in Afghanistan, wept as Bush spoke to thefamily. Bush ``had his arm around my daughter the entire time,'' said her mother, Aileen Payne, who helped raise Ron after marrying Ron's father, Ronnie Payne, of Lakeland.
``He made you feel like he was your older brother, instead of the president,'' Ronnie Payne said. ``I was very honored to know that he wanted to come convey his condolences to us personally. It meant so much to my family.''
``Rachel told me, `Today, he became my president. When he shared in my grief and told me that my brother was important,' '' Aileen Payne said. ``The whole time that we spoke with him, it was just like you're talking to your friend.
``It wasn't until he walked away that it hit me - he was the president. Our son gave us the opportunity to meet him,'' she said. Although there was intense sadness at Ron's death, mixed with pride, ``I just felt like that was Ron's gift to us - that we were able to do that.'' </i>
|