Our Stories
Ben
I Wish to Meet
President Bush!
Twelve-year-old Ben, when offered his once-in-a-lifetime wish three years ago, knew exactly what he wanted and has stayed true to that wish all this time. Ben, quite simply, wanted to meet President Bush. Given numerous opportunities to make another wish, he was steadfast and very patient. Events had conspired to delay the wish: re-election campaigns, a war with Iraq, just to name a few. When the meeting was finally scheduled, with only two weeks notice, Ben and his mom, dad and brother were only too happy to board the plane headed for Washington, D.C.!
His magical day began with all the wish kids and their families boarding a bus that became part of a police-escorted motorcade through the city. Secret Service personnel conducted a special “Wish” tour of the White House before Ben’s one-on-one session with the President. The meeting was all that Ben hoped it would be. Shaking the President’s hand and voicing his admiration for the leader of the free world, Ben stood proudly in his Boy Scout uniform. When all the wish kids had completed their individual visits, the Marine Corps helicopter landed on the White House lawn. Everyone stood at attention and waved as Mr. Bush lifted off on another presidential duty.
Ben meets President Bush
A trip to our nation’s capital is full of choices – what does one visit first (after the White House, that is)? Ben and his family hopped on a special “Wish Bus” and were given a VIP tour of Washington, D.C. With the help of eight policemen on motorcycles, they drove straight through stoplights and intersections with lights flashing and sirens blaring. For the remainder of the day, traffic came to a standstill to allow the “Wish Bus” to pass. The families enjoyed a special tour of the Capitol and visited the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, the Supreme Court and all the major monuments. Ben and his family experienced it all, often being overwhelmed by the sheer impact of what it all means to visit our nation’s capitol.
Toting his new digital camera, courtesy of the Something MAAgic Foundation, Ben recorded every moment of his long-awaited wish trip. It was truly everything he hoped it would be – from his one-on-one meeting with President Bush to the museums and monuments – a very special time neither he nor his family will ever forget.
