POTUS*

Last Monday, we were informed by our A-100 course coordinators that our schedule for the week was being reorganized because the class had been summoned to Main State for an event on Thursday morning. They said they had no other details, but would keep us informed. On Wednesday afternoon, we were told to wear our best suits. Thursday morning, we were told that we would be departing on buses for Main State, that President Bush was at Secretary of State Rice's offices being briefed by her and her staff, and that he wanted to speak to the A-100 class!


The event was held in the Benjamin Franklin room at Main State. The rooms are all in period style from the late 1700s and early 1800s. All kinds of interesting artifacts are there - China made for Martha Washington, the desk where the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 (the treaty that formally ended the Revolutionary War and gave formal recognition to the United States) - and original portraits of the Founding Fathers and other interesting people from our early history.


We waited for a while, but finally the President and Secretary Rice entered the room. I was lucky to have a spot about 10 feet from them, and was able to see and hear everything very clearly. The President was very charming, and thanked us for our service. He was very engaging when he talked about his Millenium Challenge initiative (see more info about the program here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020314-7.html). We could see his excitement and passion for helping developing nations improve the quality of life for their citizens.


After he spoke, White House photographers took a group photo of him and my A-100 class, and I'll eventually receive a copy, which you betcha I'll post here.

I never dreamed that I would ever be addressed by the President, and thanked for the job I am about to do. The coolness continues, unabated.


* U.S. Government acronym: "President of the United States"