Topekans catch fleeting glimpse of president

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 24, 2006 by Kasha Stoll Capital-Journal

Bush makes quick stop to present award to Lawrence woman for volunteer work

President Bush paused briefly on the Forbes Field tarmac Monday morning to recognize a Lawrence woman before leaving by car for his Landon Lecture address at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

Bush was greeted as he reached the bottom of the stairs of Air Force One by Janet Dunn, a master sergeant in the Kansas Air National Guard and a volunteer with the Wing Family Program Office at Forbes Field Air Guard Station.

In a conversation that was witnessed but not heard by the media, Bush presented Dunn with the President's Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which includes a medal and a signed certificate from the president, was created at the president's direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. It is available to youths 14 and younger who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; people 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours.

More information can be found at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Dunn serves as the liaison between the Wing Family Program Office and the 190th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Forbes Field Air Guard Station. She supports military families when the National Guard service members are deployed around the world.

Dunn organized the creation and distribution of 100 personalized teddy bears for children of guardsmen who were deployed during 2005.

A Secret Service agent on duty at the airport said Bush presents the award to one volunteer on each trip.

Bush spent less than five minutes on the Forbes Field tarmac before leaving by car for Manhattan.

Dense fog obscured the view from the ground of Air Force One as it arrived at Forbes. The first indication that the plane was in the area came at 10:15 a.m. when the roar of its engines was heard. Less than a minute later, the plane taxied into view and eventually stopped about 30 yards from a media stand on the south side of Kansas Air National Guard 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes.

Bush exited the plane six minutes after arriving and waved to the small group gathered at Forbes, which included Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas Air National Guard commander Col. Gregg A. Burden and media representatives from across the state.

After presenting the award, Bush waved to the crowd and climbed into a dark sport utility vehicle for his trip to Manhattan. Sebelius appeared to be in the vehicle, talking with Bush soon after he entered the SUV.

Dunn got into one of four white vans that followed the president's vehicle to Manhattan.

The presidential motorcade included at least three dark SUVs, the four vans, one dark-blue sedan, one silver sedan, an ambulance and two police cars.

When Bush returned to Topeka by helicopter at 2:25 p.m., he was greeted by about 150 members of the 190th Refueling Wing and their families.

Terry Martin, a bioenvironmental engineering technician, and his wife, Amanda, brought their young family to the tarmac more than two hours before the president returned so his children could see what he called a piece of history.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Terry Martin said. "We wanted to give the children a chance to meet the president. It's important for them to understand the structure of the government system."

Cara, 6, Seth, 4, and Lorraine, 2, had a basic understanding of what to expect.

"I'm here to see the president," Seth said. "George Washington."

After being quickly and gently corrected by his parents, Seth threw his hands to his face and shook his head.

"Why do I always, never get it?" he said.

Seth then looked up and said, "It's George Bush."

Seth and his sisters said they were hoping to shake Bush's hand, but that didn't happen.

Bush, who returned to Topeka more than an hour later than scheduled, walked quickly from the Black Hawk helicopter to Air Force One. He waved to the crowd while he walked and again from the top of the stairs.

Air Force One left Forbes at 2:39 p.m., almost 4 1/2 hours after it arrived.

Kasha Stoll can be reached at 295-1270 or kasha.stoll@cjonline.com.