Fifty-two minutes into President Bush's speech, Mr. Bush spoke about Safia Taleb al-Suhail, one of Iraq's leading democracy and human rights advocates.
President Bush said:
She says of her country, 'We were occupied for thirty-five years by Saddam Hussein. That was the real occupation.
Thank you to the American people who paid the cost, but most of all, to the soldiers.'
Eleven years ago, Safia's father was assassinated by Saddam's intelligence service.
Three days ago in Baghdad, Safia was finally able to vote for the leaders of her country, and we are honored that she is with us tonight.
The television cameras turned upward toward Safia, who was seated to the right of Mrs. Bush.
Applause broke out as Ms. al-Suhail rose to her feet. She waved the index finger she used as a symbol that she voted three days ago.
Her finger was no longer ink stained. But it was raised proudly because for the first time in her life she and other fellow Iraqis are free to express themselves by voting. They are now free to vote for the leadership they support in their home country.
As al-Suhail raised her second finger as a way of saying "Victory" to all those in the room, millions of people watching on tv saw her fingers tremble.
Earlier in President Bush's speech, as he spoke about the success of Iraq's vote last Sunday, many in the room raised a ink stained finger symbolizing the risk that those who went to the polls took to vote.
A wave of purple fingers went up at each mention of the vote, a gesture organized by Representative Boby Jindal, R-Louisiana, to demonstrate solidarity with Iraqi voters.
Jindal's expression was voiced in a letter to lawmakers stating that he wanted to display support for "people throughout the world who seek freedom."
The millions of Iraqis who identified themselves with their fingerprint at the polls on Sunday participated in electing 275 men and women to represent them in a new transitional national assembly.
Many of them waited until they got word that those who had gone before them came home alive, successfully have placed their vote. Bush spoke of the spirit of liberty that those who voted experienced.
President Bush praised the personal courage of those who voted.
We share the President's view when he said, "And they have earned the respect of us all."
Here here!
After Safia Taleb al-Suhail took her seat, President Bush went on. He said:
The terrorists and insurgents are violently opposed to democracy and will continue to attack it.
Yet the terrorists' powerful myth is being destroyed.
The whole world is seeing that the car bombers and assassins are not only fighting coalition forces, they are trying to destroy the hope of Iraqis expressed in free elections.
And the whole world now knows that a small group of extremists will not overturn the will of the Iraqi people.
Where the servicemen present at Bush's speech rarely applauded to other statements the President made that night, to this they not only applauded they gave President Bush's proclamation a standing ovation.
First Lady Laura Bush and one of her three guests of honor, Safia Taleb al-Suhail stood side-by-side and applauded with nearly everyone in the room. Next to Ms. al-Suhail stood Army Staff Sargent Norbert Lara and a teacher Lorna Clarck. Behind Mrs. Bush was the President's sister, Doro Bush Koch, Mayor Anthony Williams and two American guests of honor for the evening.
Bush continued:
We will succeed in Iraq because Iraqis are determined to fight for their own freedom and write their own history.
As Prime Minister Allawi said in his speech to Congress last September, 'Ordinary Iraqis are anxious to shoulder all of the security burdens of our country as quickly as possible.'
That is the natural desire of an independent nation. And it also the stated mission of our coalition in Iraq.
The new political situation in Iraq opens a new phase of our work in that country. At the recommendation of our commanders on the ground and in consultation with the Iraqi government, we will increasingly focus our efforts on helping prepare more capable Iraqi security forces, forces with skilled officers and an effective command structure.
As those forces become more self reliant and take on greater security responsibilities, America and its coalition partners will increasingly be in a supporting role.
In the end, Iraqis must be able to defend their own country, and we will help that proud new nation secure its liberty.
Recently an Iraqi interpreter said to a reporter, 'Tell America not to abandon us.'
He and all Iraqis can be certain. While our military strategy is adapting to circumstances, our commitment remains firm and unchanging. We are standing for the freedom of our Iraqi friends.
And freedom in Iraq will make America safer for generations to come.
President Bush went on after Senator John Kerry was seen applauding:
We will not set an artificial timetable for leaving Iraq because that would embolden the terrorists and make them believe they can wait us out.
We are in Iraq to achieve a result:
a country that is democratic;
representative of all its people;
at peace with its neighbors,
and able to defend itself.
And when that result is achieved, our men and women serving in Iraq will return home with the honor they have earned.
Right now, Americans in uniform are serving in posts around the world often taking great risks on my orders.
We have given them training and equipment. And they have given us an example of idealism and character that makes every American proud.
At that statement, all those in the room rose and applauded in honor and out of respect for every military person, no matter where they are stationed in the world.
Bush then said:
The volunteers of our military are unrelenting in battle, unwavering in loyalty, unmatched in honor and decency. And every day they are making our nation more secure.
Some of our service men and women have survived terrible injuries, and this grateful will do everything we can to help them recover
The quickest to stand and applaud at this were the front men covered in medals representing all of our service people.
Bush went on:
And we have said farewell to some very good men and women who died for our freedom, and whose memory this nation will honor forever.
One name we honor is Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood of Pflugerville, Texas who was killed during the assault on Fallujah.
His mom Janet sent me a letter and told how much Byron loved being a Marine, and how proud he was to be on the front line against terror.
She wrote: "When Byron was home the last time, I said I wanted to protect him like I had since he was born. He just hugged me and said, 'You've done your job mom. Now it is my turn to protect you.'"
Ladies and gentlemen, with grateful hearts, we honor freedom's defenders and our military families.
Represented here this evening by Sergeant Norwood's mom and dad, Janet and Bill Norwood.
As Mr. and Mrs. Norwood rose to acknowledge their presence, Mrs. Bush turned around to shake Mr. Norwood's hand who was seated behind her.
Mr. and Mrs. Norwood then embraced each other before Mrs. Norwood reached down and hugged Safia Taleb al-Suhail.
Safia Taleb al-Suhail and Janet Norwood
Their embrace was clearly spontaneous.
The two women had only just met one another for the first time as they entered the building.
Two women from very different walks of life lost a loved one in Iraq.
We could feel their pain. And we could feel the bond as a result of their shared experiences.
The applause that surrounded them was heartfelt and representative of all Americans who wanted to embrace Mrs. Norwood at that moment.
We wanted to embrace her for the sacrifice her son made November 13th 2004 on our behalf and on behalf of the Iraqi people.
And we wanted to embrace Safia Taleb al-Suhail as a way of celebrating the freedom we now share with her, as well as for the sadness she must feel having lost her father to the previous regime.
How badly, I can imagine, she wishes she could share the events of the past week with her father.
And then the applause continued. And continued some more.
In honor of Sargent Norwood.
In honor of his parents who have had to say goodbye to their son. His calling in life cost him his life.
The applause hopefully was felt all the way to Iraq where our men and women are stationed. Where are service people are so far away from their families. Where they don't know if their lives will be taken away from them tomorrow. And where their parents and loved ones pray every day that they will soon return home safely. You are not alone. We are praying for your sons and daughters, husbands and wives as well.
Sargent John Manuel Martinez & William Norwood
For all of them, our soldiers, their parents, wives, husbands, children and loved ones, we are most grateful.
President Bush, with tears in his eyes, allowed the audience to continue their applause until the Norwoods took their seat again.
This moment of embrace between two women inspired the longest applause of the evening.
It will be a moment we remember for a long time.
The moment reminded me of another State of the Union address in September of 2001 when President Bush introduced Lisa Beamer, the wife of "civilian soldier" Todd Beamer. We will never forget the man who led the charge in sacrificing his life and others in order to save fellow innocent American citizens unaware of the threat to their lives on September 11th.
Bush completed the chapter in his speech regarding Iraq and the conclusion of his State of the Union address by saying:
In these four years, Americans have seen the unfolding of large events.
We have known times of sorrow,
and hours of uncertainty,
and days of victory.
In all this history, even when we have disagreed, we have seen threads of purpose that unite us.
The attack on freedom in our world has reaffirmed our confidence in freedom's power to change the world.
We're all part of a great venture to extend the promise of freedom in our country, to renew the values that sustain our liberty, and to spread the peace that freedom brings.
As Franklin Roosevelt once reminded Americans, "Each age is a dream that is dying or one that is coming to birth."
And we live in the country where the biggest dreams are born.
The abolition of slavery was only a dream -- until it was fulfilled.
The liberation of Europe from fascism was only a dream -- until it was achieved.
The fall of an imperialism communism was only a dream -- until, one day, it was accomplished.
Our generation has dreams of its own, and we also go forward with confidence.
The road of Providence is uneven and unpredictable. Yet we know where it leads: It leads to freedom.
Thank you, and may God bless America.
Bush, 2.3.05, Photo Credit: Martinez Monsivais
The day after his speech to 38.4 million viewers, Bush commented on the moment of the evening during a trip to North Dakota. He said:
It was an indication to me, and I think our country, that the Iraqi people so appreciate the sacrifices, especially by the military and our military families, in order to free them.
To review the ambitious goals President Bush laid out for the American people in his State of the Union address, go to:
www.whitehouse.gov
Congratulations President and Mrs. Bush.
Thank you for your commitment to serve our country.
Congratulations to Bush's eloquent speechwriters Michael Gerson, William McGurn and John McConnell who worked on the 2005 State of the Union Address -- 20 drafts through.
Thank you to our service men and women and their families for the sacrifices you are making on our behalf.
And congratulations to the Iraqi people who had the courage to vote in the face of imminent danger!
Inspire & Be Inspired.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "improving the state of the union" living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King
"Over the next several months, on issue after issue, let us do what Americans have always done, and build a better world for our children and grandchildren." -- President George W. Bush, February 2, 2005
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Safia Taleb al-Suhail
