The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
"The Quill" newspaper and publisher/owner Dessa Rodeffer, traveled to Dallas, Texas for a once-in-a-life time evening February 22, 2020. It was on the birthday of America's first president George Washington and I was able to meet our 43rd President George W. Bush. It was such an honor to visit a moment with President Bush and have my photo taken with him and with "The Quill".
First of all, the Secret Service said nothing was allowed into the private room we were being photographed in and nothing could be signed. So I had to insist the newspaper needed to be in the picture. I am not going to have him sign it. When I walked in, he had a big smile and asked, "what do we have here?" I excitedly said, "it's "The Quill" my newspaper and if we hold it in front of us, we both will be on the front page next week."
By then, we were both laughing and the photographer took our picture. He said "thank you for putting my picture in your newspaper." I told him that he was in last week, too, as he spoke at the National RFA conference in Houston, and he asked if I had been there, too." I thanked him for leading us through a hard time and he was in our thoughts and prayers."
Following the reception, President Bush spoke to around 300 at a private gala fundraiser for my granddaughter Sydney's Grapevine Faith Christian school. He sat on stage in a comfortable chair with a young father from "Faith" who had been his aid in the White House and who had accepted Christ due to Pres. Bush's example.
With compassion and quick wit, President Bush talked about his late father George and mother Barbara Bush, and raising daughters.
He discussed his war against alcoholism and how Billy Graham brought him to Christ on a visit to his parents home, challenging him to read a Bible he gave to him. Since 1968 he has read it every day which changed his life.
He told why he ran for Texas governor, and reaction of his mother: "You won't win!" And reaction of his wife and daughters when he said he was running for the Presidency: "Go ahead and ruin our lives."
He explained how you set your values and beliefs and don't waiver because of public or media opinion
He is an avid reader of history and especially likes Winston Churchill.
He described the day of 9-11 and what transpired in the school room when he was informed of the attack, and his feelings, and many details throughout that day.
He told about later returning to Yankee stadium to throw out the first pitch and the emotions and reactions of the crowd that evening inside the stadium and the pressure of throwing a good pitch- don't bounce it or you will be booed, he was told by the fame shortstop - Derek Jetter. The packed crowd was going crazy and the ball felt more like a shot put than a baseball, he said and homeplate seemed a lot further than he remembered, but he didn't bounce it, thank goodness.
He talked about the amazing work at the Bush Institute in ways they were changing and saving lives. He said all people have value, no matter their color or race, or gender.
What an honor to meet this man who led our country through a devastating war and to hear of the high respect he carries for our veterans. He said no one likes a draft, but thousands of Americans enlisted and volunteered to serve their country.
He told of many other things, and time went too quickly. He told us America is resilient and strong. It will work through its issues and problems The world depends on the USA.
Secret service would not let us take photos, videos, nor even notes while Pres. Bush was speaking. He had our full attention and a standing ovation afterwards. Thank you Troy and Erica Culver Andrews for an unforgetable Presidents' Evening.
When you go on a trip, take "The Quill" along and find a special place to have your picture taken with it, and then send it to us.
Let's see where all "The Quill" can travel.