President Bush at the United States Military Academy

[fjer]

President Bush came to West Point to address the Corps of Cadets today, and I got a few pictures of him and Marine 1 (well, I'm not sure which is Marine 1, but I took pictures of the helicopters).











The pictures of President Bush kind of suck because I was really far away, but it was still cool.

[fjer]

Continued:

[Drill for life]

Sweet, I wish I was there. My friend was picked for MSG and was going to guard Marine One and meet the President but he got deployed instead.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Fjer, what's the capacity on that auditorium? It looks massive.

[fjer]

We've had the whole 4,000+ Corps of Cadets in there at once, so at least that.

[TruBlu]

Wow, seeing these pictures only further solidifies my wanting to receive an appointment at West Point. Plus cool things happening like the President addressing you and the other students. I can't wait to open up my file this coming March, and hopefully join you and the rest of the students in 2010.

Oh and if the helicopter is carrying the President, its call sign is always Marine 1, much like Air Force 1's denotation.

[space3math]

Originally Posted by TruBlu

Oh and if the helicopter is carrying the President, its call sign is always Marine 1, much like Air Force 1's denotation.

I believe he was referring to the fact that when the President flies on a Marine helicopter, there are usually (always?) multiple helicopters in formation, and which one is the actual one carrying the President - Marine 1 - may not be clear.

[Billyd]

Originally Posted by TruBlu

much like Air Force 1's denotation.

Oh, I surely hope not.

[TruBlu]

Originally Posted by fjer

(well, I'm not sure which is Marine 1, but I took pictures of the helicopters).

Originally Posted by space3math

I believe he was referring to the fact that when the President flies on a Marine helicopter, there are usually (always?) multiple helicopters in formation, and which one is the actual one carrying the President - Marine 1 - may not be clear.

Oh indeed, I now see that after reviewing the pictures a little closer. And yes, when the President is flying aboard, there is always a convoy of helicopters that play a "presidential shell game" while in the air. Usually it is a group of 3 helicopters, no less to be sure. I saw a special on the History Channel a few nights ago.

Originally Posted by Billyd

Oh, I surely hope not.

Did I misuse a word? I hope not, but can't find the discrepancy if I did. Enlighten me? Was it the reference to Air Force 1 that was incorrect, or was it grammatical? If there is one thing I really hate, it's misusing the only language I speak fluently.

[Billyd]

Originally Posted by TruBlu

Did I misuse a word? I hope not, but can't find the discrepancy if I did. Enlighten me? Was it the reference to Air Force 1 that was incorrect, or was it grammatical? If there is one thing I really hate, it's misusing the only language I speak fluently.

I surely hope that you meant DESIGNATION