Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 12, 1991                   TAG: 9103120151
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: ARLINGTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

PRESIDENT GETS `CARDED' BY 8-YEAR-OLD SKEPTIC

Bush had read some schoolwork aloud to little Anthony Henderson for several minutes in the Barcroft Elementary School library.

Then the boy looked at the man who had swept into the school with a retinue of Secret Service agents and White House aides and asked, "Are you really the president?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Didn't you know that?" said a nonplussed Bush. "What did you think I was - a pretending guy?

"Well, heck, how can I prove that to you?" Bush asked.

The president pulled out a black wallet and started digging.

"There's my driver's license. Can you read what that says? B-U-S-H," said Bush, who had come to the school to honor the Marines who tutor Anthony and other Barcroft pupils.

"Bush, George," the boy read.

"George Herbert," the president added.

"So you are the president," the youngster said.

"Are you sure?" the president parried. "Because I might have some other evidence."

He fished out a picture of a grandson playing baseball and a snapshot of a granddaughter.

"How about, do you accept American Express cards?" said Bush, brandishing his green credit card while the Marines and other grown-ups in the room broke out laughing.

Then he thought of something else. An aide darted up with a wad of pre-signed autograph cards with the presidential seal.

"Oh, here's a way to do it. That's an autograph card. You can take it home to your mom," said the president.

"The teacher said we can't take autographs," announced Anthony.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't ask for them, but I gave it to you. Just tell her I gave it to you," replied Bush. He also gave cards to the other seven children.

Bush made the brief foray into Virginia to honor the Marine volunteers as his 400th daily Point of Light.

Later, Bush told a crowded school assembly that their "Marine Buddies" are heroes, just like the Marines who helped liberate Kuwait.

A reporter asked Anthony just who he thought Bush was.

"A different person. Make-believe," the boy replied.