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WASHINGTON -- Former President George H.W. Bush told a Pentagon audience today that he's not a hero, despite flying off a carrier and having his plane shot down in the Pacific during World War II.
The current president's father joked that he's only called a hero because his plane got shot down. "There are plenty of them in this building who have earned (the moniker) for true heroism," he said. Former President George H.W. Bush examines a model of CVN 77, the U.S. Navy’s 10th Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The carrier was officially named George H.W. Bush by Navy Secretary Gordon England at a Pentagon ceremony Dec. 9. Joining the former president are, from left to right, Adm. Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations; Secretary England; Mr. Bush; Senator John Warner; and Gen. James L. Jones, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate Johnny Bivera. (Click photo for screen-resolution image; high-resolution image available.)

The Navy bestowed one of the nation's highest honors on Bush here today by naming the service's 10th Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier after the former naval aviator.

"The USS George H.W. Bush will serve as a worldwide deployable symbol of our nation's resolve," Navy Secretary Gordon England said during a naval ship-naming ceremony in the Pentagon.
England called Bush "a great, great American (and) a great patriot." Bush enlisted in the Navy at age 18 in 1942 and became the youngest pilot in the Navy before his 19th birthday. He flew a bomber off the carrier USS San Jacinto and was shot down in the Pacific in 1944. The future president went on to earn the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for his service.
Later, as president, with "the modesty and grace that are his hallmarks, he presided over the end of the Cold War," England said.
Bush said he was "deeply honored" by the ship's designation. "I'm overwhelmed by this, and very, very grateful," he said.

In characteristic good humor, Bush urged representatives of Northrop Grumman's Newport News shipbuilding yard to finish the carrier quickly, before his grave is dug at Texas A&M University.
Bush took the focus off himself when he lauded today's service members. "I don't think of my generation as the greatest generation, … because I've been around some of the kids that are serving now," he said. "There isn't a 'greatest' generation."

At 1,092 feet in length and a displacement of 97,000 tons fully loaded, Nimitz-class carriers are the largest warships in the world. They have 4.5 acres of flight deck and carry 75 aircraft. More than 5,000 crewmembers, including the air wing, serve aboard them. The USS George H.W. Bush is scheduled to join the fleet in 2009.

they got any renditions of it?

It will probably look quite a bit like the current work in progress the "Ronald Reagan" CVN76 but technologically will have improvements. You can see the Reagan at the newport news shipbuilding site. http://www.nns.com/Reagan/index.htm

thats a shame!!

Then what do you suggest should be named after Clinton? Maybe those new stain-resistant pants?

A great honor for one well deserving, and despite his humility, I believe his getting shot down during war time and going onto become a President, classifies him as a hero (much the same way as President Kennedy). BRAVO!!

Obviously some of you agree & disagree with the naming of this ship. This President did his best without disgrace or embarassment to himself or the country. What more can you ask of a President. We will all never agree with political issues,but that doesnt make someone bad or non deserving of recognition. Just my opinion. Mag

CulleyJC52

why does cj have to have credentials to vioce an opinion? none of your business what he may or may not have done to have a claim to fame.

bs that the president does not have an impact on the market. a sound, trustworthy president, that has the ability to motivate, even if he can't spell it, can do wonders to promote growth. it's called a bully pulpit but the bully in the oval office doesn't give a **** about the american people or anyone outside of his circle of moneyed people.

no one has insulted the office except the fool that sits there.

personally i don't believe the rumors that he, sr, jumped from the plane and everyone died as a result. the talk was he should have tried to belly land on the water, but as i say, i think that is a bunch of crap. i doubt that a pilot flying a combat mission would abandon his aircraft and let his crew die.

i personally liked the idea of nixon having a plate left on the moon with his name on it and no mention of kennedy who proposed the flight to start with. typical politician.

speaking of which, what did strom thurmond ever due for this country. what bill was passed with his name on it. he had a nice 50 job for 50 years.

It should be named the USS IRANCONTRA-BUSH

I'm not "name-calling"! I'm stating FACT!

"CJ whats your claim to fame"

I guess in Culleyland you are not permitted to voice your opinion unless you have a claim to fame. What was the quote from Andy Warhol regarding fame? The clock is ticking...

"did you serve, risk your life, etc"

I don't feel the need to toot my own horn regarding my military involvement nor do I need to discuss my present job or employer. Rest assured, the first was successfully completed and because of that, it allowed me to do what I do now.

What a great honor for a great American, who has served this country well in many capacities, including being a US Naval Aviator!

I an sure that when it hits the fleet, it will be nicknamed "The Big Bush" as they call the Theodore Roosevelt, "the Big Stick"!!!!!!!

Hail to the Chief!

Charlie

dhofer22, Im not trying to pick on you or single you out. But why dont you give the forum a reason its a shame. I saw your "bio",Which is very useful during these discussions. I like that we can refer to it to sort of know who we are dealing with. Unless you are a history buff. You really werent old enough to know what it was like during the period. You were 11 yrs old. Many of us have been voting longer & into politics longer than you have been alive! So I say again. Give this forum some meat to chew on! Nothing personal. In fact this point may pertain to a few of you out there. So dont take it personal. Just my opinion. Mag

Just an old saying from a newer member of these forum's.

"People who want to share their political views with you almost never want you to share yours with them."

B.

Thanks Mag.

I have been browsing the forum(s) for about 3 weeks now and for the most part I see a lot of open and interesting discussions.... but then there are those that have the "if you don't agree with my point of view, keep your mouth shut" attitudes.
All in all though, it is very entertaining and informative.

BTW- Loved your golf pic post.

B.

Oh My God Rick,

Are you going to start singing a chorus of "Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but, words will never hurt me".

Have you talked to your best friend Sadam lately?? You know the nice guy that everyone likes to pick on for no reason? Come on rick tell us the truth, are you putting GW Sr. down because he served in WWII and helped defeat your other best buddy, Hitler?? And that's why you and CJ doesn't want George to have a Big Big Big canoe with his name on it??????????????????????????

Talking Political, wonder what kind of a ship that Jesse Jackson will try to blackmail someone into naming after him? A garbage scow? :):):)

Charlie

PS Note to myself, get ready to duck!

pentz, thanks for the site.

CJ

Gee I got rug burn on my knees Willy didn't raise taxes?????????????????????????? Or, was he too busy covering up back home scandals, having his former friends blow their brains out and only bombed Sadam when he was getting too much heat about his new babe, (and I mean babe, old enough to be his daughter), Monica. And I could go on, and on, and on, and on, and on. Maybe your cherished scum bucket ought to have his name on a canoe too.

Lips?????? wasn't that Monica sucking the cigar, but, Billy swears he never had sex.

Now CJ, please tell me all the nasty little things Father and Son GW is guilty of, that is what I meant in saying don't disgrace the Office. Your hero already did enough of that already, decent men have ships named after them.

Stick to the Cigar post which you are good at, cause in these post you suck like one of Ricks Bad Frogs..

e:

sorry i thought that was your post. it was in fact
CulleyJC52's, the question still stands. either one of you can answer.

Sorry Rick, (Bad Frog), was just meant to be a Pun, I like your since of Humor.

Like parts of this post to me is so humorous, people can dish it, but, can't take it.

One person starts a nice post commemorating an event for a Decorated Veteren and Past President and some people have to make something ugly out of it. When that happens, I love to retaliate, though I know it probably feeds their small insecure egos and their need to have someone, anyone, read their ill gotten mindless thoughts.

What did our mothers tell us, If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything??

CJ didn't need to participate with his Bad Frog thoughts in this forum, he picked the wrong thread, he could have started his own forum, if his purpose was just to bash, of course, he may have been all by himself, has he done so.

Wow. This thread has turned (hilariously ludicrous) into nothing more than moronic aspersions by (what by all appearances seems to be) a group of ten year olds.

Personal attacks do nothing to prove a point. In fact they undermine it. I reckon GHB's war record is enough to name a ship after him. Sure as hell better than Reagan's! Stennis was the first living person to have a ship named after them that I know of. We have used the names of all the great Presidents and are now moving into the mediocre. Like I said: I respect the war record. Guy must have been one sh**hot pilot.

Culley,

Because I voiced my opinion on the Bushes, Clinton automatically became my hero and/or that I voted for him?

Your herd of sheeple are bleeting out for you so you better run along now.

Btw, we live in a gray world. Everything is not black and white...

rick, remember that next time you go on one of your right wing ranting tirades!