Cord Byrd: “a year ago the President of the United States harkened back to his days as an aviator for the Texas Air National Guard…”

“a year ago the President of the United States harkened back to his days as an aviator for the Texas Air National Guard to deliver a dramatic made-for-television speech. Eager to experience the thrill of a carrier landing, the President donned a flight suit, strapped into a jet, and rocketed off into the wild blue yonder for a 30-mile journey. This flight of fancy concluded with the dramatic landing of that speeding plane onto the deck of an aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln--so named for the stoic leader who guided our country through one of its most troubled times. Such was the scene on May 1, 2003, under the warming rays of the California sun. The President delivered to the sailors on that ship a welcome and long overdue message: He commended the men and women on their outstanding service to our country during the trials of the war in Iraq, and welcomed them back to the United States of America. While the President delivered those words of appreciation, every television viewer in the country--and, indeed, the world--could see in the background a banner with the words ``Mission Accomplished''-- ``Mission Accomplished''--superimposed upon the Stars and Stripes. In contrast to the simple humility of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, President Bush's speech was designed from the outset to be remembered right up until November 2, 2004.”