The Day I Met The President of the United States...

Posted By Blackfive

...was today.

It was an immense honor to be among the military bloggers present.  Aside from John Donovan of Castle Argghhh! and Ward Carroll of Military.com, I'm not sure who else I can mention that was there.

I'll have a bigger, more improved post about the meeting, later this week, maybe Monday.  Photos too...

Yes, it was surreal sitting in a meeting with the President and then having him ask us what we thought of the Oval Office.

But it was very cool.  The President of the United States slapped my hand and called me "brutha".  Top that.

Anyway, he also kidded Bill Roggio and Bill Ardolino (two of my personal heroes who were in Iraq attending the meeting via teleconference) for not wearing ties...they were wearing Under Armor shirts and Ardolino looked like a freakin' rock star.  It was good to see them again.

The President, War Czar LTG Doug Lute, Tony Snow, Dana Perino, Stephen Hadley, and others were in the room too.

I was able to shake Tony Snow's hand and tell him "You were there when we needed you..."  He responded by pointing at Dana Perino while I shook her hand and saying "She is too..."

The President was very intelligent, razor sharp, warm, focused, emotional (especially about his dad), and genuine.  Even more so than this cynical Chicago Boy expected.  I was overwhelmed by the sincerity - it wasn't staged.   

The one thing that he made sure was accomplished in the hour he spent with us was to say "Thanks."

It made four years of slugging away at telling the truth, four years of having my life and my family threatened, four years of listening to lies go unanswered about my brothers and sisters in combat (except by us), four years of spending valuable time and money in defense of something that should not need my presence...ah, you get the idea.

For an hour today, it made it all worth it.  He just wanted to say "Thanks, friend."

Fate would have President Bush leave us to go talk to newly minted Second Lieutenants commissioned today at Quantico...simply because...in his words..."they signed up knowing full well they'll be in combat..."  As he walked to Marine Corps One, he waved at us...the press not sure who we were, didn't know what to do...they kept the cameras on him.  Good move.  I kind of think that the President enjoyed that.

I'm flying back to Chicago and spending a night out with Mrs. Blackfive who spends enough time without her husband (even with Presidential requests for meetings).  I need to tell her "Thank you." for letting me do what I do. 

I'll end with this.  Not about the President of the United States.  But about our Marines.  He'd agree with this thought...

My numero uno comprade, Uncle Jimbo, like many, many writers, in some way, compares the Marines to the 300 Spartans who stood at Thermopylae 2500 years ago.  Many will say that the US Marines are the Spartans of our age.  You might say that's fair enough.  But I say...

Bullshit.

Those Spartans who gave their all at Thermopylae were the United States Marines of their age.  I think that they had no idea of what it would take to defend the democracy that they died to create.  Again...it is worth it.

More to follow...Thanks to the Blackfive readers who've made this day possible.

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Matty O'Blackfive has his report here. John Donovan has his report here. Bill Roggio has his report here. NZ Bear has his report here. Bill Ardolino has his report here. The others: Mrs Greyhawk, Steve Schippert of Threats Watch, A... [Read More]

Comments

[Teresa]

Congratulations Matt. Sounds like it all turned out to be terrific! (I take it that the "fly mint green shirt" was not on display today...)

And to Mrs. B5 - we can't thank you enough - ever - for giving up so much of your husband's time. Without him - and the other milbloggers getting the real news to us - this war would have been lost by now.

[Biermann]

How cool is that! Congrats Matt! Ditto to Teresa!!

[bthun]

The President was right to thank you.

Outstanding Matt!

Thanks to you, Mrs. B5 and all the rest of the gang who contribute so much.

[ArtbyRuth]

Well, God bless you, Matt, for all you and your wife have had to put up with these last four years.

I, for one, have truly enjoyed reading this blog for almost all that time. And I need it, let me tell you. It is hard to be a supporter of our troops without having these milblogs to read daily because of all the lies that the news tells us.

Enjoy your time with your wife and CONGRATULATIONS on meeting our President. It will be sad to see him leave office......

Peace,
ArtbyRuth

[M*A]

A proud day for B5 and all the milbloggers. Without all of you, ordinary people like me would be at the mercy of the msm and their like. Thanks Matt and Mrs.B5. Those camera guys don't know they missed...someone they should know.

[jordan]

A well-deserved opportunity, B5. Congratulations. And thanks for providing a space for frustrated pro-troopers to let themselves be heard.

[Cincinnati_Bob]

Matt, I don't talk to you much and I try to never use this word, but that is awesome. I'm very happy for you that you got the chance to meet up in person, and I can't say I'm too shocked that you found GWB razor sharp, warm, focused, emotional, and genuine. Imagine the MSM image in this regard..

Anyway, You and others who share your desire for excellence and care so much for your brothers in arms provide such a valuable service for us minyans, it goes beyond words. I shudder to think where I'd be/we'd be with only (fill in the blank) to listen to.

Did you get a coin?

[Peg C.]

That is just OUTSTANDING!!!

I can hardly wait for the pics to come out! Also so cool that 2 great embedded bloggers were in attendance.

Congrats!

[bj]

To you all .. Thank YOU!

B5 you had me in tears halfway through reading this. What you had to say is like a breath of very and muchly needed fresh air.

[Old Tanker]

Outstanding Major, I can't wait to read about the rest of the meeting.

Let me echo the President and the others who've commented here. Thanks for all you do. It is worth every minute.....

[JihadGene]

***OFISHWALL E-MAIL OF DPRK***

GLOOVY Matt! Me happy, not krappy, floor you! Where heathen mudder puckers Kev & UncleJimBlow? I'm guess felons wiff priors no can see George DubbleWoo Bloosh? Me wishie da following could be dare wiff yoo too...Floggy, Glim, Laff Wulf,Major Prain, Plinch Plaislee, Mista Wulf, and a squid named SubSkunk.

Leesplectfully e-maled,
Great Reader, KIM Jong Il

P.M.S. If you see Madame Albright around the Dee Cee area preeze tell her I'm miss her LOOOOOONG time!!!

[warvet48]

B5 and your Mrs., many thanks to you and the others who have kept the truth flowing when so many others would do their utmost to smother us with lies. I haven't been coming to this blog as long as many others, but I always feel enlightened and proud when I leave these pages. Sometimes angry as h#ll too, but it's an anger brought about by truth. Again many thanks to you and your compadres for what you do!!!

[AWTM jones]

Mr. Blackfive,

Total Rockstar move. You must thank Mrs. Rockstar, Pink Rockstar, and Little Rockstar, for the time away etc.

Glad it was surreal, those are the best moments...

WEll deserved indeed.

[Mike the Marine]

DUDE... WOW.

You are officially a rock star now, man.

[Devil Dog Dad]

Wow, B5 that must have been incredible, what an experience to speak to our President. Looking forward to the pictures. Congrats. I think this Milblog has filled an important role in the Long War. I concur with Jimbo’s and your assessment of the Marines of course.

[Wink]

I know there are lot of video game fans in Iraq.. and with Halo 3 coming out in days.. maybe we should have them send a message to COngress?

http://www.thewinkfamily.com/halo/finishfight2.jpg

friend of mine made this tonight.. I absolutelly LOVE IT.. I want to make some stickers and send to over there !

[BigTom]

Very inspirational, too bad the "driveby" media does not pay more attention to your site than the Daily Kos and Moveon.org.

[Mrs. Who]

Some VERY deserving people met President Bush today. Thank you and your wife for your sacrifices.

Looking forward to the pictures!

[JoeS]

We are very happy for you! Enjoy! You earned it!

I have not heard one person who has met the President say anything negative about him. The MSM just lies about everything.

Uncle Jimbo rocks! What an asset we have.

Great tribute to the USMC. We have helped out on BBQs for Marines rotating back to 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton. They are the greatest Americans. It is a joy to see them and their families. They thank us for feeding them. They have been in Iraq DEFENDING us!

God bless you B5

JoeS

[Deltabravo]

Oh, wow!!!!!! Bravo zulu close up!

I'm really jealous. Thank you for sharing the experience with us. And thank you for the time you spend here educating us and providing a place for us to vent also.

[blackandtan]

There is a shift of power in the media happening, and it must feel good to be in the front seat. Thank you for your web site. It is a daily read for me.

[SemperFi Wife]

Way cool!!!! A totally deserved honor and one I bet you won't forget.

[Marieanne]

That is magnificent. What a great experience...well-deserved! Thanks for sharing it with us, and for all you do.

[MaryAnn]

Incredibly moving and a well-deserved honor. God bless you and the milbloggers, and God bless our President.

[FbL]

Regarding "four years..."

Your post made me cry! I'm so glad you had those moments that made it feel worth it all, because what you do matters to so many. You are definitely still a warrior--you just wear the uniform stamped on your heart. I can't say I've been there from the very beginning, but I'm proud and honored to be a small satellite out here who wouldn't exist but for your "sphere of influence."

[That 1 Guy]

That's frickin' awesome, Matt! Though, I can just imagine how it'll be if/when we hook up again... "So my old pal, G-dub (that's President of the United States George Bush), laid me some skin and called me 'brutha.'" Well... that is if you'll still hang with us common folk.

Remember what Belushi told ya...

[tankerbrosbrat]

As one of the 'common folk' waaaaaaaay over here, I thank you for sharing this great day. Blog on!!! ;)

[SuperGurl]

awesome! thanks for the good word about how genuinely kind President Bush treated you. impressive. and as always, thanks for your blog!

[jordan]

Question: Did the President say anything about the retreat of the Qods force? Petraeus mentioned it, but it wasn't pursued by the Senators. I'm surprised DoD spokesmen aren't making more of this. It certainly speaks to the lethality and efficiency of coalition forces today to have routed this "elite" force, which the media presented as 10 feet tall.

[Padraig]

Wow, awesome job B5. Saw a picture of the group over at the Castle and I must say all of you knew how to dress to meet the President in the White House. Imagine if a democratic president brought a group like Kos and firedoglake in?!

Thank you B5 for everything you have done over the last four years.

[edddie]

Sounds like A Gathering of Peabrains.

That's really something to be proud of, shaking the hands of the worst president in American history.

Was his wife Condi there?

[Homefront Six]

And here I thought you couldn't GET any cooler! Thanks. For everything. And to your wife and kids as well.

[Deltabravo]

Eddddddie... sorry we can't all be intellectually and verbally clever like yourself.

("Peabrains." Gotta write that down. What a new and unusual word. Must. remember. new. word.)

I think I hear your mama over at KOS calling. Run home like a good boy now. (And buy yourself a grownup name on the way.)

[dianainsa]

I am proud to be a reader of your amazing blog-since the beginning. You have helped the people here at home fight this war and counter the lefty-liars and the haters.
The White House is in your debt, you and all the other good bloggers that we read and love. Thankyou.

[douglas]

Nice for you guys to get a meeting. I'm glad to see the President is aware of and encouraging the new media. He's seemed re-energized of late, and I hope you all helped pump him up as much as he pumped you guys up. Thanks for keeping up the fight, it's definitely an important one.

[douglas]

By the way, I should also mention that it's nice to hear that when we comment here, we might be speaking directly to someone in the Presidents inner circle. Now that's democracy!

[northWord]

This is just fantastic, congratulations on a well deserved meeting.

I am sooo Thankful for the milbloggers and other truth-telling blogs I just can't tell you enough....if all we had was the msm, well, what more can I say...yikes.

God is so GOOD.

I don't think I've ever comment in here, but I have to share this:
We just last weekend had our 4th annual Tribute to the Troops mc ride and benefit concert here in MN, what we do is spend two days riding our bikes (the kind with engines) right to the homes of the families that have lost a soldier so we can thank them for their sacrifice and give them a hug, we also raise money to benefit our military and the families behind them, (some of you may have heard of us).

I was visiting with one of "the mothers" last Sunday night after the concert and she related to me the following: While she and her husband were in Washington D.C. for the memorial of their son she "just decided" she wanted to talk to the President, so she called the White House switchboard from her hotel room and asked if she could talk with President Bush. After the operator and her had a nice little chuckle about such a notion, she was connected with another operator and, well, through a small series of miracles she got her wish. This mother found herself sitting with him that day in his oval office, and they had a visit! Among other things they talked about, she said that she told Pres. Bush that she was completely behind him in his decision to go to into Iraq, and that her son did not die in vain, nor have any of our heros who have given it all. She told me he was visibly emotional during parts of their conversation. After they talked for awhile she shared a couple verses from scripture and prayed with him.

Reading the words you wrote here to describe President Bush really struck me because they are the exact words she used to describe him and her visit with him: "warm" "genuine" "intelligent" "emotional" - she also said her time with him was sincere and un-staged. (Of course, it was completely unplanned).

So, whether we may agree with him or not on every issue, our President is-who-he-is whether it be in a private meeting or a public setting. This is a man with true integrity.

There's a verse in Proverbs that I think sort of speaks to people who jump to conclusions rather than take a moment to step back and observe, and even gather facts:

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Pro 14:15

Thanks again to all of you bunches and bunches for what you do and report in here!!
And especially Thank You to those who serve, or have served, Thank You so much for your service to this great country.

God Bless you all, and God Bless our country ~

[Bou]

Whooo hooo! Congratulations!

[texas]

Hurray Blackfive! Kudos & Congratulations! You and the rest of the bloggers that met with President Bush have the best websites when you need to know the truth. I am happy the President recognized your important contribution to the new media.
Your website has great reports and updates, heartwarming stories and, of course, Uncle Jimbo's easy chair chats. Thank you for the fantastic journalism. Please keep up the good work!!!!
God Bless the Troops!
God Bless the President!
God Bless America!

[Ray Gardner]

That's a beautiful thing.

I posted something similar at one of the other participating blogs, but it bears repetition.

It's more than just meeting the president as one would do if they won a sports championship or something. The leader of the free world, and one of the few elected officials who had the nad to take it to the bad guys, called you guys to his office.

Very cool.

Semper Fi

[MICHAEL in MI]

jordan - At NRO THE TANK, they posted this about the Qods forces leaving Iraq: NRO THE TANK - Steve Schippert: Why Iran's Quds Force Left Iraq

[johnston45]

This is HUGE! You must have been so nervous and excited. Good for you, and good for President Bush for recognizing your contribution. What great stories you will have to tell your grandchildren someday!

[Subsunk]

Matt,

Very well done. I'm glad the President got a chance to meet YOU. You've done a fine job working to get the good word out. I am proud of you, of the President, and of the Men and Women in our armed forces whom we represent and serve as milbloggers.

Thanks for the opportunity to participate in making freedom and democracy household words across the globe.

For the President, Sir, you keep your head up. We are behind you. Keep doing what you think is right. Never abandon our Troops in favor of political expediency, and you know we will always be there when you call. Thanks for standing with us against tyranny. Thank you for leading in the correct direction. Press on, Sir. To Victory.

Subsunk

[Francis Marion]

Congratulations! You have truly added value to the life of MAJ Mathew Schram.

[Rich Casebolt]

A true gathering of Men and Women.

It is so gratifying to see the CINC recognize Men and Women who have worked in a mighty way to reinforce his position against insurgencies, foreign and domestic, on the virtual battlefield of ideas ...

... not because they want to see an (R) at the top of the White House roster, but because they know the wisdom of supporting those who ACT to assure that the blessings of liberty remain secured.

Bravo Zulu ... to all of you.

[eaglesdontflock]

The WaPo story was almost as snarky, and intelligent, as edddie's. Sour grapes in spades. Some folks just can't leave a tender moment alone.

Great job milbloggers.

[Erica]

I must say, that is very f**king awesome.

[American Elephant]

Congratulations! How cool. The President is very fortunate to meet you guys. Thanks for all you do.

[Ymarsakar]

Excellent representation, Matt.

[Ken]

Congratulations Matt!!!

You and your fellow military bloggers are an important component of the new media. It speaks volumes that the President was compelled to meet with you all.

Keep up the fantastic work!!!

FYI, I'm adapting your 'Rules for Dating Blackfive's Daughter' to fit my needs. We have a little one arriving in October.

[alexa kim]

This made my eyes misty. Thank you for saying "thanks" for all of us to the President. To have him share a full hour of his extraordinarily valuable time with you all is just amazing. And to be able to meet his trusted staff, especially Tony Snow. He served us all so very well. Dana will do well. But we will miss Tony in that job. G*d, he was utterly perfect for it.

And thank you to Mrs. B5, please, yes, do tell her how grateful we are for her patience and indulgence. Though I'm sure she considers it an honor to have you in her life.

Very good Matt, very good.