Little boy drowns near the President's Ranch

[telos2000]

I received the following email and thought I would share it with you. As I said before,I live in Central Texas very near the President's home. This story was all over our news stations and newspapers. I checked it out on [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] before I posted it here.
That link is [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
___________________________________________________________________
Hello Everyone.

I just wanted to pass this information along to each of you so you know what a truly compassionate and caring man we have in President Bush.

My first cousin, Shawn Kettler, and his wife, Suzanne, and daughter, Laramie, lost their 6 year old son, Sam, in a drowning accident this past Saturday (March 6th), outside Gatesville. They all live within a few miles of the President's place in Crawford TX.

Sam and a young friend of his were walking around a tank when the mud gave way and Sam fell in the tank. The tank is a spring fed tank, and Sam was sucked under the water into a "sink hole" where the spring came into the tank. His little friend tried to get him out but was unable to reach him, so he ran about 200 yards to his house and told his grandmother. The grandmother called 911 then went to the tank, but was unable to even see Sam.

Sam's father and a volunteer fireman arrived first and began diving into the tank but were unable to locate Sam (I believe they said the water was about 10 feet deep). The Deputy Sheriff that received the 911 call was at the entrance to President Bush's ranch when the call came in. He told the Secret Service agents at the gate what was happening and they, in turn, radioed the ranch house. President Bush told them to "Go - take all the men and equipment you need and just go". He also sent his personal physician and his helicopter over to the tank.

Sam was finally located and pulled from the water by one of the Secret Service agents (I believe there were 5 agents there all total). There was a faint pulse but they could not revive little Sam. President Bush's doctor began working on him and they loaded him into the Presidential helicopter and took him to Hillcrest Hospital in Waco. The doctors there worked on him for awhile, but he had been under water for 45 minutes, so there was really no hope for his recovery. And, had he survived, he would never have been the same.

Sam was truly a unique little boy who lived life to the fullest. And he loved the fact that "George Bush, the President" had chosen to live so close to his house.

When the family went to the funeral home in Gatesville on Sunday to make the arrangements, they were told everything had been paid for by an anonymous donor. After much "detective" work, it is believed that President Bush is that anonymous donor.

I just wanted all of you to hear this story so you know what a true gentleman our President is. And I ask that you pray for my family as they deal with this tragedy. And, lastly, please pray for our country and President Bush as he attempts to hold it all in place.

Don't ever forget to tell everyone close to you and possibly, some of those not so close, how much you love them. Tell them everyday because life is short and very unpredictable.

I love each of you.

Debbie Barnes
Texas Cooperative Extension
District 8
1229 N Hwy 281
Stephenville TX 76401
254-968-4144 Ext. 212
254-965-3759 Fax
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[snooze14]

Awww such a sad story. We do have a nice President.

[telos2000]

What gets me is that this story doesn't draw media attention, but even worse it draws very little attention right here on DoD.

[ihvfaith]

Wow!
what a story.
The poor little guy and his family. I never heard this on any news. What a shame.
I think it shows just how good our president is.

[Shainie]

Poor family. Yes, he's a president, but he's a compassionate human being. We need more like that.

[bradedit]

My prayers are with the family!

Wouldn't it be great if all families had the burden of funeral expenses of a child taken over. Sorta scary though that someone could find out that the President was the donor, I hope his security isn't that lack with everything.

[Rockabillie]

If you read snoops.com, they say it's inconclusive if Bush paid for the funeral.
However, it does sound like the Secret Service agents did alot: trying to find him, attending the funeral, sending cards and flowers. I think THEY are great. I don't know how that translates to Bush doing anything admirable. In the story the Secret Service agents did all the good stuff and the Bush ends up taking credit? huh? I can't find any mention of Bush doing anything.

Thanks to those hard working dedicated compassionate Secret Service agents!

"Three of the Secret Service agents attended the funeral and two others stopped by the church before the service began to pay their respects. The family also received floral arrangements from the Secret Service as well as from the helicopter crew that flew Shawn and his son to Hillcrest Hospital in Waco."

[telos2000]

Originally Posted by Rockabillie

If you read snoops.com, they say it's inconclusive if Bush paid for the funeral.
However, it does sound like the Secret Service agents did alot: trying to find him, attending the funeral, sending cards and flowers. I think THEY are great. I don't know how that translates to Bush doing anything admirable. In the story the Secret Service agents did all the good stuff and the Bush ends up taking credit? huh? I can't find any mention of Bush doing anything.

Thanks to those hard working dedicated compassionate Secret Service agents!

"Three of the Secret Service agents attended the funeral and two others stopped by the church before the service began to pay their respects. The family also received floral arrangements from the Secret Service as well as from the helicopter crew that flew Shawn and his son to Hillcrest Hospital in Waco."

You just have to turn thing political don't you! Why don't you get a life! You have no compassion what so ever!

[Debbie42]

Originally Posted by telos2000

What gets me is that this story doesn't draw media attention, but even worse it draws very little attention right here on DoD.

I am sorry you feel that way. I did look at the post yesterday and was going to reply but I just did not know what to say. It made me feel so sad yet at the same time happy that we have people in this world who are willing to try and help others with out thought to their own personal safety. I have lost a 3 year old nephew to a house fire and so many people tried to help. I was very young at the time but I still remember the outpouring of love from people at the time. It just overwhelms me the way people in our country come to each others aid in times of need. From the president all the way down to the people who don't really have any thing to give but time. I for one am glad you posted it Rod.

[bradedit]

Originally Posted by telos2000

You just have to turn thing political don't you! Why don't you get a life! You have no compassion what so ever!

tsk, tsk no personal attacks!

[Rockabillie]

Originally Posted by telos2000

You just have to turn thing political don't you! Why don't you get a life! You have no compassion what so ever!

My main point was thanking those secret service agents for their compassion. And I stand by that.

I think if anyone needs to step back and get a little perspective here, it is you. Lashing out at someone who asks for more information and lashing at out someone who expresses her gratitude for people like those compassionate secret service agents is a little unbalanced. I don't really use the phrase 'get a life,' but it does seem appropriate here.

I do have compassion for people who get so angry at people who ask questions and think for themselves. What is the source of that anger? It must hurt and eat away at you and I do honestly feel for people who go through life feeling so much anger.

tgif

[telos2000]

There is a difference between anger and disappointment. I am disappointed, but not angry. However, . . . (I promised to behave so fill in my reply to suit yourself.)

[bestmidwest]

Originally Posted by telos2000

What gets me is that this story doesn't draw media attention, but even worse it draws very little attention right here on DoD.

I'm sorry Telos...I didn't look at the thread before because I thought it might be something attacking GWB for what looked like an accident.

I think the point in appreciating what he did was that he immediately sent his Secret Service to do what they could for that poor little boy. He didn't have to do that...they are definitely supposed to be there to protect him.

Those poor men must have been heartbroken that they couldn't do more. Kind of OT, but a long time ago when my dad was a park ranger, he ran to try to save a little boy who drowned but he was too late. Years later (like 40 years) he was playing at a casino and met the little boys' parents. They started talking because they were from the same area and he mentioned that he had pulled a little boy out of the water at the nearby park. They said...that little boy was our son. They were so appreciative of what he had tried to do. I can't even imagine what they went through back then. They sent my dad a picture of the boy and a beautiful letter. I never even knew about the incident until my mom told me about meeting the parents.

Originally Posted by telos2000

Don't ever forget to tell everyone close to you and possibly, some of those not so close, how much you love them. Tell them everyday because life is short and very unpredictable.

I think that really says it all. Thanks for sharing Telos!

[tlspiegel]

Originally Posted by telos2000

You just have to turn thing political don't you! Why don't you get a life! You have no compassion what so ever!

Agreed. You can add a few more to political, try negativity and wrong facts. (See 3t's thread about being sick and the comments re: D.O.s which are so very wrong.)

I guess I'm going to put a certain person on ignore because of the inflammatory posts. Sad.

[3tbear]

What a sad thing for any family to have to deal with. So very sad.