I had the privilege of attaining a front row viewing position at the welcome ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II at the White House this morning. It was truly something I will never forget. The rare opportunity to be in the same vicinity with both royalty and a sitting U.S. President simultaneously is indeed a blessing.
The President's and Queen's addresses reminded me of the importance and value of American freedom as I observed the stars and stripes and Union Jacks while recalling flashbacks to American history classes. It hit me at that moment that I was now witnessing history. Their words reminded me to be grateful of the rich American past and how the American pride from that past helps us to stand tall in the future.
I stood feet away from President Bush who said:
“Today our two nations are defending liberty against tyranny and terror. We’re resisting those who murder the innocent to advance a hateful ideology, whether they kill in New York or London or Kabul or Baghdad. American and British forces are staying on the offense against the extremists and terrorists. Our two nations hold fundamental values in common...We recognize that the strongest societies respect the rights and dignity of the individual. We understand and accept the burdens of global leadership, and we have built our special relationship on the surest foundations: our deep and abiding love of liberty.”
And the quote of the day belongs to Queen Elizabeth II:
“A state visit provides us with a brief opportunity to step back from our current preoccupations to reflect on the very essence of our relationship. It gives us a chance to look back at how the stories of our two countries have been inextricably woven together. It is a moment to take stock of our present friendship, rightly taking pleasure from its strengths, while never taking these for granted. And it is a time to look forward, jointly renewing our commitment to a more prosperous, safer and freer world.”
God Bless America.
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Posted by princella at May 7, 2007 02:10 PM
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Awesome quote of the day, Princella, from QE2, one of the classiest women on the face of the earth. I had the opportunity to watch the Trooping of the Colours, when I was stationed in England, and it was a glorious event.
And it is a time to look forward, jointly renewing our commitment to a more prosperous, safer and freer world.
Spoken with true courage, by a true friend of America...
Posted by: keefer at May 7, 2007 04:25 PM
I can't say I'm a dedicated Royal watcher. But I was deeply impressed when Queen Elizabeth, immediately following 9/11, requested and stood for the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" at a state event in Great Britain. I believe she is the only British monarch ever to have done so. Also, this weekend at the Kentucky Derby she didn't request any special treatment which would have screwed up traffic here in Louisville any worse than Derby already does.
Classy indeed.
Posted by: patrickb63 at May 7, 2007 04:41 PM
Wowee! Da Queen, herself,
Always amazed at the twisted fixation on royalty that some people in this country have.
Obviously, as a symbolic head-of-state, it would be inappropriate not to greet her as such -- but the very existance of royalty and nobility is a hindrance (and disgrace) to the progress of mankind.
The ultimate "Eurotrash."
Posted by: Salvelinus at May 7, 2007 04:42 PM
WOW! Salvelinus, just wow....You're weird guy...thats all I got.
Posted by: zachster at May 7, 2007 05:06 PM
I'm not a huge fan of the queen myself, not into the royals particularly them being a symbol of Britishness and all that. And for god's sake whoever made God save the Queen the national anthem should be shot for two reasons. 1) it's depressing and 2) it's racist, no self respecting Scot sings it lol. I quite liked her mum purely because she was scottish of course.:D
The queen is an extremly intelligent woman and I'm not sure if you lot know over there but Prince Harry (her grandson, 3rd in line to throne) will be in serving in Iraq soon.
I must personally say that my quote of the day was when Bush made another wee mistake lol he meant that she celebrated America's bicenntenial in 1976 but nearly said 1776 lol that could have been offensive.
Posted by: weefee at May 7, 2007 05:15 PM
I must personally say that my quote of the day was when Bush made another wee mistake lol he meant that she celebrated America's bicenntenial in 1976 but nearly said 1776 lol that could have been offensive.
So, weewee, playing gotcha is all you have? You're a rather shallow bird, just like the majority of the British lasses I've encountered in my life. And I've encountered quite a few, having spent almost eight years there.
You and ol' Saliva should hook up--he's a colossal moron, and you're a twit. A match meant to be...
Posted by: keefer at May 7, 2007 06:29 PM
Come on Keefer it was funny, I didn't mean it in an offensive way. Anyway We've got Prince Phillip he makes more mistakes and offends more people than Bush ever could.
This makes me shallow how? I don't see how American girls are more deep than 'British' girls (though I am Scottish). I personally couldn't give a damn what the queen says. She HAS to keep in line with the government. She has no power to disagree thus as you have spent so much time in Britain, you will know that the queen's speach is a reflection of what the Government will do.
Posted by: weefee at May 8, 2007 03:13 AM
Sorry should have been deeper rather than more deep and speech instead of speach
Posted by: weefee at May 8, 2007 04:22 AM
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Awesome quote of the day, Princella, from QE2, one of the classiest women on the face of the earth. I had the opportunity to watch the Trooping of the Colours, when I was stationed in England, and it was a glorious event.
And it is a time to look forward, jointly renewing our commitment to a more prosperous, safer and freer world.
Spoken with true courage, by a true friend of America...
I can't say I'm a dedicated Royal watcher. But I was deeply impressed when Queen Elizabeth, immediately following 9/11, requested and stood for the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" at a state event in Great Britain. I believe she is the only British monarch ever to have done so. Also, this weekend at the Kentucky Derby she didn't request any special treatment which would have screwed up traffic here in Louisville any worse than Derby already does.
Classy indeed.
Wowee! Da Queen, herself,
Always amazed at the twisted fixation on royalty that some people in this country have.
Obviously, as a symbolic head-of-state, it would be inappropriate not to greet her as such -- but the very existance of royalty and nobility is a hindrance (and disgrace) to the progress of mankind.
The ultimate "Eurotrash."
WOW! Salvelinus, just wow....You're weird guy...thats all I got.
I'm not a huge fan of the queen myself, not into the royals particularly them being a symbol of Britishness and all that. And for god's sake whoever made God save the Queen the national anthem should be shot for two reasons. 1) it's depressing and 2) it's racist, no self respecting Scot sings it lol. I quite liked her mum purely because she was scottish of course.:D
The queen is an extremly intelligent woman and I'm not sure if you lot know over there but Prince Harry (her grandson, 3rd in line to throne) will be in serving in Iraq soon.
I must personally say that my quote of the day was when Bush made another wee mistake lol he meant that she celebrated America's bicenntenial in 1976 but nearly said 1776 lol that could have been offensive.
I must personally say that my quote of the day was when Bush made another wee mistake lol he meant that she celebrated America's bicenntenial in 1976 but nearly said 1776 lol that could have been offensive.
So, weewee, playing gotcha is all you have? You're a rather shallow bird, just like the majority of the British lasses I've encountered in my life. And I've encountered quite a few, having spent almost eight years there.
You and ol' Saliva should hook up--he's a colossal moron, and you're a twit. A match meant to be...
Come on Keefer it was funny, I didn't mean it in an offensive way. Anyway We've got Prince Phillip he makes more mistakes and offends more people than Bush ever could.
This makes me shallow how? I don't see how American girls are more deep than 'British' girls (though I am Scottish). I personally couldn't give a damn what the queen says. She HAS to keep in line with the government. She has no power to disagree thus as you have spent so much time in Britain, you will know that the queen's speach is a reflection of what the Government will do.
Sorry should have been deeper rather than more deep and speech instead of speach