From left, Craig Stephens, his wife Susan Stephens and friend Jim Collins watch the inaugural parade.Susan Stephens called the sailors back home in San Diego ”such a large part of our community.” (Patrick Dickson / S&S)
From left, Craig Stephens, his wife Susan Stephens and friend Jim Collins watch the inaugural parade.Susan Stephens called the sailors back home in San Diego ”such a large part of our community.” (Patrick Dickson / S&S)
Pam Henderson of Fresno, Calif., here with husband Mike, wanted to give troops “a big thank you!” (Patrick Dickson / S&S)
Tom Howard of Falls Church, Va., said troops are “keeping us safe all around the world.” (Patrick Dickson / S&S)
Bundled up against the cold during the inaugural parade was Judy Travis of Wilmington, Del., who has a son serving with the 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany. (Patrick Dickson / S&S)
WASHINGTON — Revelers at the 55th Inaugural festivities had varying opinions about President Bush but not about U.S. troops, for whom support seemed universal.
“We support them 100 percent,” said Mike Henderson of Fresno, Calif., attending the parade with his wife, Pam. “We know with President Bush as the commander in chief, that they’ll always have the support of the United States and all its resources.”
Craig and Susan Stephens flew in from San Diego with their friend, Jim Collins. Craig said that having a large Navy presence there makes them appreciate the troops all the more.
“We have a lot of them in San Diego,” he said. It’s always kind of a moving experience when you see that aircraft carrier leave.”
“There such a large part of our community,” his wife added.
A military presence was everywhere at the parade, from marching bands to Marines lining the route at parade rest until the president’s car passed, to an Orion surveillance craft circling overhead.
That point was not lost on Tom Howard of Falls Church, Va.
“It’s something we all remember – that they’re keeping us safe all around the world. We’re all thinking about them, praying for them, hoping they get home safe.”
Jim Ursomarso, who lost a bid for lieutenant governor of Delaware in November, watched the parade with his wife, Kristen. He and the Bush family have a history.
“I worked for ‘Bush 1’ and I was here for the anti-inaugural in 1992 (when Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush),” he laughed. “This is much better.”
Kristen got her politician husband back “on-message.”
“We support the troops,” she said. “Anything we can do to support them, we’ll do.”
Judy Travis, also of Wilmington, said the troops are doing “wonderful job.
“Be safe, and come home soon!”
