02 Sep 2004 President Bush Quotes Blog

OK, I admit, this blogger did not go to the Republican National Convention. We’re not in Blogger’s Corner. But there is a little bit that happened to us with regard to the convention anyway.

The President quoted this blog — Army Specialist Joe Roche’s April 7 entry — in his acceptance speech.

How cool is that?

President Bush’s Acceptance Speech, September 2, 2004:

Our troops know the historic importance of our work. One Army Specialist wrote home: “We are transforming a once sick society into a hopeful place … The various terrorist enemies we are facing in Iraq,” he continued, “are really aiming at you back in the United States. This is a test of will for our country. We soldiers of yours are doing great and scoring victories in confronting the evil terrorists.”That young man is right — our men and women in uniform are doing a superb job for America. Tonight I want to speak to all of them — and to their families: You are involved in a struggle of historic proportion. Because of your service and sacrifice, we are defeating the terrorists where they live and plan, and making America safer. Because of you, women in Afghanistan are no longer shot in a sports stadium. Because of you, the people of Iraq no longer fear being executed and left in mass graves. Because of you, the world is more just and will be more peaceful. We owe you our thanks, and we owe you something more. We will give you all the resources, all the tools, and all the support you need for victory.

National Center April 7, 2004 Blog Entry of Spc. Joe Roche, writing from Iraq: A Soldier Assures Us: Our Progress is Amazing:

We are transforming a once very sick society into a hopeful place… The various terrorist enemies we are facing in Iraq are really aiming at you back in the United States. This is a test of will for our country. We soldiers of yours are doing great and scoring victories in confronting the evil terrorists.

Joe’s a great guy. I’m thrilled for him, and expect he is — or will be, if he hasn’t learned about this yet — rather thrilled himself.

The National Center will be sending an e-mail about this development to friends and supporters, but I just had to mention it on the blog first. Congratulations to Joe and, echoing the President, thanks to all the men and women of the Armed Services of the United States of America for your service and sacrifices.

For more about Joe, including a list of his writing as published by us and some photos of him, see here. For a hilarious screenshot of Democrats.com speculating (on 4/8/04 regarding the exact comments President Bush quoted tonight) that Joe isn’t real, see here. Back in April, Joe wrote me that some of his fellow soldiers felt very, very insulted by Democrats.com’s post. I think it is safe to say that, tonight, those soldiers need not feel insulted any longer. They definitely got the last word.