HOKKAIDO, Japan (CNN) – It was a birthday celebration in the skies, as President Bush turned 62 aboard Air Force One while en route to Japan where Bush is attending the summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.
First Lady Laura Bush and White House staff members gathered in the conference room on Air Force One late Saturday night eastern time, where a steward dimmed the lights as the crowd waited for the birthday celebrant to arrive, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said.
On the table was a "large" coconut cake with a single burning candle and the words "Happy Birthday President Bush" on it.
The crowd called out "surprise" as President Bush walked into the room and then sang Happy Birthday, Perino said.
Bush "dutifully pretended to be surprised" and blew out the candle, Perino said. It was not known whether he made a birthday wish.
After cutting and serving the cake, the health-conscious president ate a "small" piece of birthday cake, she said.
There was no word on what he gifts he received from family members, but Perino noted the president was sporting a new teal-colored tie.
White House staffers presented Bush with birthday notes and cards - well-wishes delivered in a small wooden box with his initials carved on top.
The box was carved by a Texas woodworker with wood from an old Scarlett Oak tree that grace the north lawn of the White House until it fell last year.
The tree was planted in 1892 by the great granddaughter of President Benjamin Harrison, according to Perino.
From CNN Politics
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Despite everything and true, not all is your fault. Happy birthday and best wishes.
Happy Birthday "W"!
I hope you suffer a long life and have lots of time to reflect on what you did to this country and it's citizens. May you have many sleepless nights.
Mr. President. May God bless you and your family on ur Birthday. Though I am an Indian. I admire the way u conducted yourself so far as the Commander in Chief of the Worlds Most Powerful Country. You have shown how exemplary a Leader you are by takein most crucial decions o f winning wars agains two different unsubmissive reckless Governments. You have proved to the World USA is a country with Guts n resolve for its People. In face of pressures for fundamentalist countries or elsewhere. You have proven to the world What a real Man should be. The worlds most power president. You have brought fame dignity and respect to Oval office unlike the sissy Clintons or others. All i can say is you are a modern day Alexander the Great. Wish u all my deepest sincere good wishes.
Mr. President, I am the same age as you are, only difference is, you will probably have a better retirement. Us baby boomers will never know what retirement is since we will be working, for as long as we live. There's is no bright future in sight, and far worst for the next generation to come. During your presidency, you have made us laugh, and also made us cry, because believe me, there is nobody else like you. But you are the President of this great nation, and for that, I give you my respect , although I myself, have never voted for you.
The best president your country has seen considering your last President Slick Willie You are all going to miss him when he is gone especially if Obama wins
Good Job Dubya make sure yyou utilize every taxpayer dollar you can on the fringe benefits you so casually enjoy. Look behind you thats not your shadow its change sneaking up on you. Inauguration Day is going to be exciting!!!
Marcus Age 24 NJ Obama 08/12
A toast to president bush ....hopefully you got a CLUE for your present
"Let them eat cake", huh mister president? Or would "fiddle while Rome burns" be a better quote to describe your mentality?
The same people that blame Bush for all their woes are the ones who are , on the other hand, giving Obama a free ride for nothing and no accomplishments. Actually, Obama is the very picture of pomposity with his chin held high in the air and spewing a million reasons why he can't debate McCain. Most of which are , in truth, because he will lose the debate.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
He has cost America so much...what a POOR President he has been
Happy birthday, President Bush. I hope you live to a ripe old age. That way, you might have enough time to finally realize just how far you set the world back during your eight years as President.
One year closer to his death, hopefully we don't have to wait much longer though.
Happy B-Day President Bush and God Bless You for your leadership! The world will be a better place thanks to you and our service men!
Oh gawd, I share the same birthday week with GW? Well, Happy Birthday anyway.
Would someone please arrest this "president"???
Isn't steward considered politically incorrect?
The world is not a better place for your being in it...
Jenna Bush is not voting republican this election. very interesting and says alot about John McWar.
How many people will never have another birthday due to your choices Mr. President? Now imagine a cake filled with candles one for each life taken, from a direct result of a war that was wrong and twisted before it began.
Who Cares
OLD FOOL!
i hope its your last.
It is ironic that Bush celebrates his birthday on a gas guzzling 747 (Air Force One) while we pay $4.50 per gallon at the gas pump. Shows how out of touch with reality he is !
Thanks God he is gone on January 20th, 2009 !
One of the greatest Presidents of all time. It's a shame the left has politicized and divided so much of everything in this country.
I'll miss you as President.
Happy Birthday!