Reading The Pictures: "Last Veterans Day Accomplished," November 11, 2008. / "Mission Accomplished," May 1, 2003.

1. Marine One, with US President George W. Bush aboard, prepares to land on the deck of the USS Intrepid prior to the Veterans Day rededication of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, on November 11, 2008. The 65-year old aircraft carrier, which completed tours of duty during World War II, the Cold War and the Vietnam War, just completed a 2-year, $115 million renovation. (image: Saul LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

2. President George W. Bush approached the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in a S-3B Viking jet Thursday, May 1, 2003, the day the "W" announces major combat operations in Iraq have ended. (image: Paul Morse/White House)

3. President Bush, and first lady Laura Bush, arrive to participate in the rededication ceremony of the Intrepid. November 11, 2008. (image: Gerald Herbert/AP)

4. President George W. Bush poses with flight deck crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln, May 1, 2003. (image: Paul Morse/White House)

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Comments

[dakotaharp]

He is not done yet. Keep an eye on Israel and Iran dec 20th. Lots of talk about martial law, Blackwater, check points and other issues. it ain`t over yet foks.

[CVN65]

Of course Bush was correct. He did not ask that the sign "Mission Accomplished" be posted; the ship's crew hung the sign proclaiming that their mission had been accomplished. And, yes, kiddies, major combat operations were over by then. What followed was an occupation. When your attack helo squadrons, heavy armor units, hospital ships, additional carrier battle groups and field hospitals go back stateside, then the major combat operations are done. I was there with Fleet Hospital 15 in support of the First MEU and we were sent home the first week of May. Once Baghdad fell, it was pretty much over.

[SamEllison]

The USS Intrepid, a museum, is out of service. nuff said.

[Jackalheadedgod]

junior is being quite contrite in his last days as the decider. Hopefully his new found contrition will not protect him from prosecution and a little trip to The Hague.

Cheers,
Jack

[ElBruce]

I wonder if the flight crew that posed with him for that picture totally feel like chumps now.

[ZanScott49]

One of my husband's good friends was on the fllight deck that day (hubby missed being in that squadron for that one by a few months). He was one of the ones who got to shake Bush's hand. We've had more than one conversation with him about it and he still stood by Bush. Maybe we should give him a call.