President George W. Bush is escorted along the tarmac by Lt. Gen. James T. Conway of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, upon Bush’s arrival Thursday at Air Station Miramar in San Diego. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
Fighter pilots applaud the president, who said the war on terrorism was “slowly but surely” being won. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
“Military families make tremendous sacrifices for America, and our nation is grateful for your service to our country,” Bush told Marines during his address in San Diego. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
Bush reaches into the crowd at the Miramar air base for a poster titled “My Daddy, My Hero,” which he signed and returned. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
Alyson Dria, 15, a cheerleader at El Camino High School in Oceanside, receives an autograph from the president. Dria’s father is a Marine stationed in Kuwait. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
