WASHINGTON – Ten soldiers from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit visited the White House on Oct. 7.
They were among more than 500 members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams who thanked President Bush and First Lady Laura for their support of the Olympic movement throughout the Beijing Games.
The President, in turn, thanked the athletes for their inspirational performances.
“This is a special day for the White House,” Bush said. “Laura and I are proud to welcome the greatest Olympic and Paralympic team ever assembled. And I bring greetings from the honorary captain of the Olympic teams, [former] President George H.W. Bush. We call him 41.”
The Bushes were among more than 80 world dignitaries who attended the Opening Ceremony in Beijing. George W. Bush was the first U.S. president to attend Olympic Games outside of the United States while serving as commander in chief. His father, the 41st president, also made history by occupying the chair of chef de mission of the U.S. Olympic Team, marking the first time the U.S. Olympic Committee has had an honorary chief of the mission.
“Attending the Beijing Olympics was one of the greatest experiences of our lifetime,” Bush said. “Laura and I had a fantastic experience. We will never forget the first night at the Bird’s Nest for the spectacular Opening Ceremony. When the Team USA was announced, there was a notable increase in the cheers.
“And then came the greatest sight of all when more than 500 of America’s finest athletes (were) marching behind our flag. It was an incredible sight. I know it was a moment that all of our athletes looked forward to, and it’s a moment that we are so honored to share with you.”
Team USA won 110 medals, more than any nation during the Beijing Games, the largest in Olympic history. More than 100,000 athletes from around the world competed in more than 300 events in which 87 countries won medals.
Along the way, 43 world records were broken as an estimated 4.7 billion television viewers watched from around the globe.
“I know the entire Olympic teams worked hard to get to this moment,” Bush said. “Whether you won a medal or not really doesn’t matter in the long run. What really matters is the honor you brought to your sports, and to your families, and to your country. We thank you for your lasting memories that you gave us all.”
“I’m particularly pleased to be here with those who have worn the uniform of our country,” Bush said. “On the American team were 16 men and women who served the nation in uniform, one of whom was Army Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell. She lost her leg while serving our country in Iraq. After four years of hard work and significant rehabilitation, she qualified as a [Paralympic] swimmer and her teammates elected her as the flag bearer for the closing ceremony.”
The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program was represented by Team USA rifle coach Maj. Dave Johnson, Greco-Roman wrestler Staff Sgt. Dremiel Byers, rifle marksman Maj. Michael Anti and pistol shooter Staff Sgt. Keith Sanderson. Five other soldiers hailed from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Ga.: Sgts. 1st Class Jason Parker and Daryl Szarenski, and Spcs. Jeff Holguin, Walton Glenn Eller III and Vincent Hancock, along with Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Elizabeth “Libby” Callahan.
Eller and Hancock won gold medals in double trap and skeet shotgun shooting.
The Olympians thanked President and Mrs. Bush by making them honorary members of Team USA and presenting them with official team jackets, a framed photograph of the Opening Ceremony and an American flag that flew in China throughout both Games.
