It was a beautiful morning - crisp and cool. Walking toward the Opry House one could feel the excitement and anticipation. At nine o'clock a small crowd was already in place waiting for the doors to open. Off to the left was a group holding hands and praying. Searching the crowd I saw several people I knew, including former Congressman Ed Bryant as he was campaigning for the US Senate. I was meeting Katie Wallen, Teen Eagle Director, some of our Teen Eagles and a couple of others to distribute the tickets.

Senator Bill Frist's staff had been kind enough to furnish me with ten tickets to join over 4000 people to welcome President George Bush and First Lady Laura to Nashville. To make the day even more special for me, was the fact that Senator Frist's office had arranged for me to be on the stage for this memorable event. What a blessing-I felt so very honored.

The crowd was growing quickly and the lines getting longer and longer - saw lots of people I knew including a number of state legislators. Those with 'blue' tickets (giving entry for the stage) were taken through the security and back to the 'ready' room to await instructions.

About 10:30, the gentleman in charge began moving small groups of us to the stage. On each side (stage right and stage left) of the backdrop to the podium was one row of chairs with bleachers behind the chairs. I was SO glad I was in the first group to go out and was able to sit in a chair - I don't think my back would have taken sitting on bleachers for two and a half hours!! The Opry House was filling up fast - the electricity in that place was palpable. There were groups of military men and women, Boy Scouts, and people of all ages from all parts of the state eagerly sharing the anticipation of the President's appearance.

Some friends related that they were sitting next to two Kurdish men who had tears in their eyes as they described their deliverance from the genocide of their people because of the no-fly zone created by Bush Sr. They said they would "never forget.

Since the Opry House is the home of country music, I guess it was only right (although unexpected) that the audience was treated to some top-drawer entertainment.

The Gatlin Brothers entertained the audience with several songs and Larry Gatlin served as a master of ceremonies. Craig Morgan sang his number one hit and the Del McCoury Band did a set. Among the songs that Oak Ridge Boys did was a beautiful acappella version of Amazing Grace, and closed with their trademark, Elvira with Joe doing that marvelous bass!! Ricky Scaggs and the Whites did several songs and the morning was topped off with Lee Greenwood doing "Proud to be an American" which, of course, had everyone on their feet joining in.

Other country singers helped to fill the bleachers including Little Jimmy Dickens, Barbara Mandrell, Lorrie Morgan, Daryl Worley, Josh Turner and Buddy Jewell.

By this time the Opry House was absolutely packed and the excitement grew. A few minutes later, on two big screens flanking the stage we were able to watch Air Force One pull up on the tarmac as the President arrived.

Secret Service Agents were everywhere. One of the men came out to put some water on the shelf under the podium and to attach the Presidential Seal. Evidently someone told him it wasn't quite straight so he came back out to adjust it whereupon the auditorium burst into applause.

About twenty minutes later Senator Bill Frist and Senator Lamar Alexander walked onto the stage. Senator Frist made a brief introduction, then, to sustained, thunderous applause, the President and Mrs. Bush joined them center stage.

The President of the United States, the Leader of the Free World was in our city standing just feet away-you know, there is something very special about that. The President has taken positions on some issues with which I vigorously disagree, but I do believe with all my heart that he is in office because of the Sovereign will of God.

He didn't really 'give a speech' - it was more like a conversation with a few jokes thrown in. Obviously he felt he was among friends and he seemed very relaxed. It was very interesting to watch his 'body language' as he spoke. I was struck by the fact that so much of what he said was extemporaneous. He was not reading and only glanced briefly at a few notes as he spoke for about an hour. During that time he received a number of standing ovations.

When he concluded his presentation, I had expected that he and Mrs. Bush would just go back off the stage where they had entered (which was the opposite side from where I was sitting). To my delight Mrs. Bush turned and started down the row where I was. It was my privilege to shake her hand and tell her that Tennessee loves them and that we pray for them. President Bush was just a few steps behind her.

Just after his 2000 election, Time Magazine named Mr. Bush "Man of the Year". I have had the cover of that issue framed on my office wall since that time. Just on a lark, I had taken it out of the frame, put it in a folder and had it with me. The lady two places from me asked Mr. Bush to sign her ticket and when he did, I whipped out my picture and pen. Sure enough, he signed it as I told him that I still had on my garage wall a poster, which says: "Gore free Tennessee, by George." He laughed and said that was funny.

Having been that close to the man who literally has the weight of the world on his shoulders has encouraged me to be even more faithful to pray for him.

It was a special privilege-a wonderful day to remember for everyone and I am very grateful to Sen. Frist's staff for arranging for me to be on the stage - it was an amazing experience.

This was a memory-maker from beginning to end. Over four thousand people gathered to welcome President George Bush to the Nashville and the Opry House on Wednesday, February 1, 2006.

Pictures from the President's Visit that came to me from Buddy Oakes (happens to be my maiden name) through a mutual friend. I am very grateful to have these. Click on each image for a full size view.

The large crowd in the Opry House waiting in anticipation.	The Gatlin Brothers entertain.
The Oak Ridge Boys add their talent singing, among other things, a beautiful acappella rendition of Amazing Grace and then their trademark, Elvria.	Ricky Scaggs joined with The Whites to add to the entertainment of the day.
Lee Greenwood garnered a standing ovation with his, "I'm Proud to be an American."	The full house welcomes the President.
The President addresses the audience.	Shaking hands with the First Lady, just prior to the President autographing my copy of the December 2000 issue of Time Magazine where he was named 'Man of the Year.'
Laura Bush with Bobbie Patray.      The President & Bobbie.      The President signs Bobbie's magazine.