After days of policy debate and talk of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice, President Bush turned toward the home front, reminding Americans of the spirit they embody.
All White House staff members gathered outside Tuesday at 8:45 EDT, the exact time that one week before, the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. They observed a moment of silence to honor the victims of last week’s attacks, and Bush then addressed the country in the Rose Garden.
Bush changed his tone from Monday, when he addressed the nation, not speaking of war and attacks, but of the American resolve.
“Last week was a really horrible week for America,” Bush said. “But out of our tears and sadness, we saw the best of America as well. We saw a great country rise up to help.”
Bush thanked all those that have helped, either at the scene or by donating money, food, clothes and time.
“As president of this great land, nothing made me more proud,” he said.
Joining the president were volunteer workers, charity workers, firefighters and police officers. Bush commended the work of all those who have helped in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
“Large and small, these important charity efforts are saving lives and, as importantly, we are restoring hope,” Bush said.
Since the attacks, Bush and his administration have been working to develop a reaction to these “acts of war.”
Tuesday, Bush focused on the American people and restoring hope in the United States, rather than on the war on terrorism.
“There are challenges that remain for those who suffer today. Make no mistake about it. We’ve got a lot of work to do as a nation,” Bush said. “And these good efforts, these good, charitable, compassionate efforts, need the full support of Americans everywhere.”
The moment the attacks were launched, Americans responded with volunteer efforts.
“Our compassion and generous citizens have led the first phase in the war on terrorism,” Bush said. “They have sustained and strengthened the home front.”
Although Bush did not speak of the actions the government will take, officials at the Pentagon continued work, developing a comprehensive plan.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a press conference at the Pentagon, where he took Bush’s role of preparing the country for war.
Bush and Rumsfeld said they agree the attacks on Sept. 11 were the first of their kind, and the United States response will differ from any previous military activity.
“[The United States should prepare for] a very new type of conflict, or battle, or campaign or war effort,” Rumsfeld said.
A war against the terrorists is seemingly inevitable, but both Rumsfeld and Bush stress winning the war at home by not allowing the terrorists to change the way Americans live.
“We have a choice: either to change the way we live, which is unacceptable, or to change the way that they live. We chose the latter,” Rumsfeld said.
