Bush Marks Veterans Day At Intrepid

NEW YORK (AP) – President Bush has used the Veterans Day rededication ceremony of a landmark aircraft carrier’s museum to thank the nation’s warriors for serving their country.

Bush stood in the shadow of the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on Manhattan’s West Side and admitted to veterans in attendance that he’ll miss being “commander in chief of such a fabulous group.”

Noting that he was “raised by a veteran,” Bush praised the men and woman who have defended the country in the past and are still doing so today. His father was a pilot during World War II.

The retired aircraft carrier Intrepid first went into service in the Pacific during World War II, saw action during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and twice served as the recovery ship for returning astronauts.

At the end of today’s ceremony, astronauts Scott Carpenter and Buzz Aldrin helped Bush toss a wreath into the Hudson River as “Taps” was sounded.

However, the initial attempt to break a champagne bottle against Intrepid’s hull failed.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)