Laura Bush Surprise Visit to Afghanistan

First Lady Laura Bush visits servicemembers at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to thank them for their efforts, June 8, 2008.

U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Christina Sinders

New Zealand soldiers perform a traditional warrior’s dance - Powhiri - Sunday during a welcoming ceremony for Mrs. Laura Bush at the Bamiyan Provincial Reconstruction Team Base in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush is joined by Ihsan Ullah Bayat, top let, and young Afghan girls during a tour of the construction site of the Ayenda Learning Center Sunday, June 8, 2008, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush shakes hands with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Sunday, June 8, 2008, during their press availability at the presidential palace in Kabul.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush speaks with faculty and students from Afghan universities and international schools, Sunday, June 8, 2008, during an unannounced visit to Kabul. Attending the meeting were representatives from Kabul University, American University of Afghanistan, International School of Kabul and the Women's Teacher Training Institute.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush smiles as she meets Sunday, June 6, 2008, with female graduates of the Police Training Academy in Bamiyan province in Afghanistan. With her is Bamiyan Governor Habiba Sarabi.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush, to the right of the podium, is introduced June 9, 2008 by the Bamiyan major as workmen prepare to break ground for the Bamiyan Bazaar road project in Afghanistan.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush greets local businesswomen as she tours the marketplace of the Arzu and Bamiyan Women’s Business Association on June 9, 2008 in Afghanistan. The carpets, embroidery and other Afghan wares are all made by women.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

On June 8, 2008, First Lady Laura Bush made a surprize visit to Afghanistan. It was her third visit to Afghanistan. She visited with our troops at the Bagram Air Base, and during her day-long visit made stops in the Bamyan province and Kabul as well as Bagram Air Base.

"From overseeing hospitals to responding to [improvised explosive devices], your efforts are critical to our mission in Afghanistan," Bush said. "On behalf of President Bush and a grateful nation, thank you very much for your service to the United States of America. Every day, you risk your lives to protect the freedom that we hold so dear." Bush spoke to a crowd of several hundred in a large hangar and shared a few observations about the signs of progress that she had seen in Afghanistan throughout the day. "As you go about your daily duties, you are brining opportunity and security to the people of Afghanistan," she said.

In Bamyan, Mrs. Bush visited a Police Training facility, an orphanage, and a road construction project. She took her tour with Governor Sarabi, who is Afghanistan's only female governor. "All of these encouraging stories and all of these terrific things I saw today have been made possible by your efforts, and the efforts of the U.S. military," Bush said. Bush then met with members of a New Zealand-led provincial reconstruction team, who greeted her with a traditional war dance, complete with spears and war paint. "I can only imagine what the Secret Service thought, but their performance truly highlights the international makeup of security forces here in Afghanistan."

In Kabul, Mrs. Bush met with students from Kabul University, the Women's Teacher Training Institute, the American University of Afghanistan, and the International School of Kabul.

Thank you Mrs. Bush for a glimpse into the progess in Afghanistan that the media don't bother to report on. I am so proud of what we have accomplished there.