President and Mrs. George W. Bush received a heartwarming standing ovation amid shouts of “U.S.A., U.S.A.” as they walked onto the field flanked by a pair of 9/11 first responders during Sunday’s NFL game in Dallas, even as other NFL games became platforms for anti-American protests.
When the former president and his first lady walked onto the field, they were accompanied by two NYPD officers, who were on hand to assist the victims of the terror attacks that shocked the world.
President Bush shared his favorite photo of the appearance on his Facebook account to compliment the officers who stood beside him, as well as offering his prayers for the country:
Honored to be with David Norman and Robert Zajac of the New York Police Department today, first responders at Ground Zero fifteen years ago. For many of us, today may feel like any Football Sunday in America.
For David, Robert, first responders, and those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the memories of that dark day are fresh – and so is the pain. Laura and I hold the victims of 9/11 and their families in our hearts, and on this anniversary, we lift them up in our prayers.
May God bless all who mourn, and may He continue to bless and watch over our great land.
First Lady Laura Bush also sent out a message about the day’s events, saying, “On the 15th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the lives of those lost and honor the first responders at Ground Zero like David Norman and Robert Zajac of the New York Police Department. #weremember.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.