By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Thousands cheer President Bush as he speaks of celebrating freedom at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Friday in Dayton, Ohio. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

DAYTON, Ohio - President Bush celebrated Independence Day at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base by rousing more than 25,000 onlookers Friday with a stirring message about America's most prized principle: freedom.

Standing in the hot noon sun, with the sleeves of his blue dress shirt rolled past his elbows, the president urged the crowds to show deep, abiding support for America's soldiers, past and present.

"For more than two centuries, Americans have been called to serve and sacrifice for the ideals of our founding," Bush said, standing on a stage bedecked with a gigantic American flag and red, white and blue bunting. "And the men and women of our military have never failed us.

"Today, we honor our veterans. And today we honor the current generation of our military, which is answering the call to defend our freedom and to bring freedom to others."

Buoyed by applause, the president also urged the crowd to remember Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., unveiled deep-seated hate against the nation.

Bush shakes hands with military personnel after his Wright-Patterson speech. | ZOOM |

"Our nation is still at war. The enemies of America plot against us," the president said. "Without America's active involvement in the world, the ambitions of tyrants would go unopposed, and millions would live at the mercy of terrorists.

"With Americans' active involvement in the world, tyrants learn to fear and terrorists are on the run."

Audience members endured miles of backed-up traffic and 92-degree weather as they hefted sunscreen, lawn chairs and water bottles across the base's grounds to spend July Fourth with the president.

But they didn't mind. For most, it was the first time that they had a chance to see the nation's leader.

Mark Roeder of West Chester is a doctoral candidate in University of Cincinnati's political science department. The 32-year-old likened President Bush's visit to "a kind of a rah-rah, sis-boom-bah" affair intended to boost support.

Yet Roeder's No. 1 reason for standing in the sun Friday:

"Getting to see the president in person," he said, complimenting the president for his "Everyday Joe" type of appeal. "If you asked (anyone), 'Would you rather go out and have a beer with Bush or Gore,' it would be Bush and not Gore."

Many agreed the president's visit signified the true start of "Inventing Flight," an 18-day extravaganza showcasing the centennial celebration of the Wright brothers' first powered flight.

On the day after the grand affair began, President Bush christened Wright-Patterson "the birthplace, the home and the future of aerospace."

He drew laughter when he wondered aloud "what Wilbur and Orville would have thought if they'd have seen that flying machine (Air Force One) that I came in on today."

Wilbur and Orville Wright designed and built the nation's first powered airplane at their Dayton bicycle shop, then flew it at Kitty Hawk, N.C., Dec. 17, 1903.

Bush was surrounded by a B-1 Lancer, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-117 Stealth Fighter, F-15 Strike Eagle and a replica of the plane the Wright brothers flew across the sands of Kitty Hawk, N.C.

"Ohio is a great state. It's a great place to live," said Loretta Powell, 48, a Troy resident who works at Wright-Pat and sported a straw hat with red, white and blue ribbons. "And the president's coming there recognizes the many contributions we here in Ohio made to our country.

"There's no words to express how proud I am to be here and to be associated with the greatest air force in the world today," Powell said. "We started out just a band of practical farmers, and look where we are today. It shows our strength as a people, that fact that we're still so free and came from such humble beginnings."

President Bush has visited Ohio 10 times since taking office. But Friday was the first up-close sighting for the Wolff family of Bellbrook, 20 minutes outside Dayton.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot. That's what I told the boys," said Jeff Wolff, referring to his young sons, Connor and Britton.

Wife Loree appreciated the moment, but also wanted say, "Happy birthday, George - You go, go, go!"

President Bush, who celebrates his 57th birthday Sunday, spent only an hour on the ground in Dayton.

He then returned to Washington to attend that city's festivities - and his own "surprise" birthday party, organized by first lady Laura Bush.

Connie Bruns, a Beavercreek woman, is a Democrat but couldn't resist the opportunity to see the president. She took 80 pictures of Bush on her digital camera and was anxious to return home so she could download them and send some to a friend she made while waiting for the president's arrival.

Bruns was inspired to hear Bush mention the Revolutionary War during his speech.

"I like that," she said. "History's important. You don't want history to repeat itself. It's turmoil that helps build character. It shaped the character of our country."

She stood in line for two hours Tuesday to get a ticket to the president's speech.

"I am very proud to be an American," Bruns said.

"Because our servicemen and women are putting their lives on the line for me, I feel I have to support them."

Email svela@enquirer.com

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