Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 18, 1991 TAG: 9103180135
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HAMILTON, BERMUDA LENGTH: Medium
"Not interested," Bush said with a shrug when reporters asked if he had read Saddam's televised address in which he promised multiparty democracy for the first time in his 12-year rule. Previous promises by Saddam to open up his government have gone unfulfilled.
Later, in Sumter, S.C., Bush led a joyous welcome-home ceremony for troops returning from the Persian Gulf War, saying American forces not only freed Kuwait but "helped this country liberate itself from old ghosts and doubts."
A flag-waving crowd of thousands cheered Bush at Sumter Memorial High School football stadium. Hundreds of troops, many of them still wearing their desert khakis, were the guests of honor in the bleachers. Some of them had returned home only Saturday night and had to stifle yawns.
"Welcome home," Bush emotionally declared.
The ceremony - an outpouring of patriotism and high cheer - was a scene being repeated at military bases around the country as U.S. forces come home from the war with Iraq.
"And when you left [Kuwait], it was still fashionable to question America's decency, America's courage, America's resolve," he told the forces, quickly adding that "No one, no one in the whole world doubts us any more. What you did, you helped us revive the America of our old hopes and dreams."
Bush used the occasion to pay tribute to Vietnam veterans, as well, saying they finally deserve proper recognition. "Their time has come," Bush said, to more applause from the crowd, which gathered despite threats of rain and cool temperatures.
At the end of the ceremony, Bush hugged Air Force Capt. Spike Thomas, who had been shot down during the war, and Lt. Nick Dodson, a fellow flier who led a successful mission to rescue Thomas.
Thomas, 27, later told a reporter that the president had said to him: "Glad you're back."
"You know, he's been in the same situation before," added Thomas. "He knows what it's like to come home."
by CNB