Bush Wowed by ‘Positive’ and ‘Uplifting’ Ex-POWs

An ebullient President Bush celebrated Easter by meeting Sunday morning with two just-returned prisoners of war and joining them for church services at Ft. Hood, Texas.

“It’s a glorious day,” Bush told reporters after the service. “We prayed for peace, and for strength, for the many blessings.... I am particularly grateful that these two men were with us today. I thank God for their lives.”

Before attending services at the 4th Infantry Division Memorial Chapel at Ft. Hood, Bush met in private with Army Chief Warrant Officers David S. Williams and Ronald D. Young Jr., Apache helicopter pilots who were captured in central Iraq on March 24. They were rescued April 13 and returned to the United States late Saturday with five other former POWs, who returned to their base at Ft. Bliss, in El Paso. Williams and Young are based at Ft. Hood, with the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment.

Asked about his meeting with the two former prisoners, Bush replied: “I had a good talk with them. They are good, strong men.”

The president added: “I was -- believe this or not -- somewhat taken aback when I was in their presence. And these guys were so uplifting and so positive, and so obviously thrilled to be here.”

Young told reporters: “We stand 100% behind whatever our president decides to do. We’re honored to serve him, and this is definitely one of the highlights of my life -- absolutely.”

Once again, the president declined to declare an end to the war with Iraq, saying that he would do so only “when [Army Gen.] Tommy Franks says it’s complete.”

Bush also said he did not know Saddam Hussein’s fate, but added: “If he is alive, I would suggest he not pop his head up.”

The president said he is not troubled by the anti-U.S. demonstrations in Iraq.

“I’m not worried. Freedom is beautiful,” he said. “And when people are free, they express their opinions.”

In meeting with reporters after the church service, Bush covered a wide range of international and domestic topics.

On North Korea, the president praised China for “assuming a very important responsibility” in hosting the forthcoming talks in Beijing.

Also citing Japan and South Korea, Bush added: “I believe that all four of us working together have a good chance of convincing North Korea to abandon her ambitions to develop nuclear arsenals.”

The president rejected criticism that he is focusing on foreign policy to the exclusion of domestic concerns.

“I have always been involved with the domestic policy. I somehow get somewhat taken aback when I hear stories that assume I can only do one thing,” Bush said.

“I am concerned when people in our society can’t find work. And so I’ve been constantly promoting an aggressive jobs and growth program.”

Bush intends to resume an active travel schedule around the country to promote his economic agenda, starting with a planned visit to Ohio on Thursday. He arrived at his Prairie Chapel Ranch on Wednesday and is scheduled to return to Washington this afternoon.

Among visitors to the ranch for Easter weekend were the president’s parents, former President Bush and Barbara Bush.

Father and son went fishing over the weekend. “Nothing better than fishing with your dad,” the president said.