DALLAS, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush took part in a Texas program welcoming service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, officials said.
They were among a crowd of friends and family greeting 145 service personnel arriving at the Dallas/Forth airport Wednesday for two weeks R&R, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported.
The Bushes joined 33 children participating in the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee's SLANT 45 project to greet service members as part of the Welcome Home Heroes initiative started in November 2004.
The Bushes are honorary chairmen of SLANT 45, which stands for Service Learning Adventures in North Texas.
"Today was one of the best if not the best day we ever had," Lt. Col. Patrick McAfee, who has overseen the program for three years, said.
"It was phenomenal, and the bottom line is that these service members had the shock of their lives," he said. "Kids being there gives special meaning to us soldiers, and the president and first lady were there just like regular people". UPI
