A Graduate So Happy, He Hugged the Speaker

hippie_hunter

The King is Back!
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Who happened to be the President

New York Times said:
By JULIA C. MEAD, The New York Times

(June 21) -- Gabriel Whitney says he did not plan to nearly suffocate President Bush in a bear hug. In fact, he did not plan to hug him at all.

But when Mr. Whitney, one of 202 midshipmen to graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., on Monday, stepped forward to receive his diploma, it just sort of happened. Call it irrational exuberance. But after six years of undergraduate school and 4,872 demerits, Mr. Whitney, 25, of Nashua, N.H., could hardly restrain himself.

With more reason than most to be overjoyed, the 6-foot-7 midshipman stepped onto the stage to accept his degree and hugged Vice Adm. Joseph D. Stewart, the academy's superintendent. Then he raised both arms in a victorious salute as his classmates roared their approval.
Elated and with his arms still upraised, he turned toward President Bush, who had just delivered the commencement address.

Mr. Bush, wearing a quizzical expression, responded by raising his arms as well and moved in for a hug. The midshipman — almost unwittingly — found himself squeezing the president in his powerful arms. When the president caught his breath, he shook Mr. Whitney's hand.
"I said, 'You're the man! Thank you very much,' " Mr. Whitney said in a telephone interview yesterday.

"The president thought the big bear hug was funny," said Dana M. Perino, a White House spokeswoman. "He appreciates the terrific enthusiasm of our nation's graduates, and he was honored to be the first president to address the Merchant Marine Academy. It was quite a thrill for everyone."
Mr. Whitney's sister, who works in an advertising office, had designed T-shirts for the 15 family members who attended the ceremony. Mr. Whitney's many difficulties in reaching graduation were emblazoned on the front of the shirt: 4,872 demerits ("painful"); four and a half years on academic restriction ("wounding"); two visits to the committee that weighs student expulsions ("agonizing"); two reprieves from the admiral ("necessary"); and six years of school with only an undergraduate degree to show for it ("humbling").

The back of the shirt, which bore a photograph of the midshipman and the American flag, celebrated his crowning achievement: "Passing all licensing exams, first try: Priceless."

Reached in New Hampshire, his grandmother, Alberta Whitney, said that some of the 4,400 people in the audience took pictures of the T-shirts, front and back.

"We were very happy to pose," she said. "We are so proud of Gabriel. He's a wonderful, wonderful boy."

The day after graduation, Mr. Whitney said he had no immediate plans but one long-term goal: "I plan to achieve greatness someday, though I'm not exactly sure yet how I'm going to do it."

For now, he is relaxing and basking in the attention that his widely publicized hug has garnered.

"I'm trying not to think farther than the next couple of days," he said, adding with a chuckle, "It's been kind of a long trip."

Now take a look at the pictures:

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Private Pyle what is your malfunction!!!!
 
My favorite part would be to hear him crying at the end.
 
i hate when people get all ecstatic and act all gay like that
 
Fred_Fury said:
i hate when people get all ecstatic and act all gay like that
REALLY!??! SO DO I! LOLzz!! *hugs Fred*
 
Fred_Fury said:
i hate when people get all ecstatic and act all gay like that
I do that when someone pumps my gas, when I get a happy meal at McDonald's and after a trist with a hooker. Hugs for everyone. Good times.
 
Private Pyle has dishonored himself and dishonored his platoon. I have tried to help Private Pyle. I have failed. I have failed because YOU have not given Private Pyle the proper motivation! So, from now on, whenever Private Pyle f**ks up, I will not punish him! I will punish all of YOU! And the way I see it, ladies, you owe me for ONE JELLY DOUGHNUT! NOW, GET DOWN ON YOUR FACES!

Sgt. Jag
 
That is hilarious...the look on Dubya's face is priceless!!!


Though I tell you with that many demerits...he was probably extatic he was leaving and was no longer Gunny's b1tch
 
Fred_Fury said:
i hate when people get all ecstatic and act all gay like that


You know, from the sound of it, Dubya was the one who initiated the hug itself.
 
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(Inside George Bush's head)
Oh Geez....that was a man hug....

...I mean by a real man...

...a real big man...

...with strong, safe arms...

...oh NOES!!!!111!!!!! I'm gay...:eek:
 
ShadowBoxing said:
20060621101809990001

(Inside George Bush's head)
Oh Geez....that was a man hug....

...I mean by a real man...

...a real big man...

...with strong, safe arms...

...oh NOES!!!!111!!!!! I'm gay...:eek:

LOL :D
 
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Words fail to describe how funny this pic is.
 
Bush is closing his eyes for a kiss in that one pic....
 
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GRADUATE: Mr. President, you are da man. You rock!!! (Slaps the President's back)

Red%20Headed%20kick%20me.jpg


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GRADUATE: Mission accomplished guys. You owe me $20.
 
Bush looks like he just hugged Frankenstein. He looks genuinely horrified. LOL!

jag
 

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