Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Event/Special

George H.W. Bush Speaks at D-Day Museum

Aired December 07, 2001 - 10:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We'll return it now, as we continue our coverage of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, to New Orleans, where President George H.W. Bush is addressing the crowd.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... when it came to duty, honor and country.

Back from the Pacific theater, I came back in the fall of -- about Christmastime, 1944, and we married Barbara Bush in January, 1945. And I remember, in our little apartment, I was reassigned up to Lewiston, Maine. And we wept when our commander in chief died.

We had orders to return to the Pacific theater. Supposedly leaving in August. And thanks to General Tevets (ph) and the courage of Harry Truman, we didn't have to go back there. But they did save thousands of American lives. Revisionists will tell you different, but we were there, and we were very, very proud of what they did.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: And so I was just one of the thousands that was privileged and honored to serve. I want to thank Steve Ambrose for his vision. I was the president who they kind of teased about the vision thing. But here is a man who had a vision. And with the help of the great citizens of New Orleans and people nationwide, he's brought that to reality. I want to thank Tom Hanks, who, in his way, helped reawaken patriotism and duty and honor in country.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: His performance in that wonderful movie. And on September 11, our nation suffered another surprise attack. And today, we are in a different war. But I think that the duty, honor, country still prevails.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: And so we say today, remember Pearl Harbor. But I think we as a nation all say remember September 11. We have a good, strong commander in chief. Thank you all very, very much. O'BRIEN: The first President George Bush addressing veterans and others in New Orleans at the D-Day Museum. He, of course, a decorated Navy pilot who was shot down in World War II -- bona fide war hero. And, thus, speaking to his comrades there in New Orleans.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com