President Bush visits Mayport Naval Station

Photo by Stephanie Rowell

President George W. Bush prepares to board the USS Philippine Sea to eat lunch with sailors after his address to 5,000 at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville Feb 13.

Photo by Stephanie Rowell

"Do your duty ... love somebody like you'd like to be loved yourself." -- President Bush

Photo by Stephanie Rowell

"This enemy reaches across the oceans, it targets the innocent." -- President Bush

Photo by Stephanie Rowell

"America's military fights not to conquer, but to liberate." -- President Bush

Photo by Stephanie Rowell

Babies and 'Hail to the Chief' were part of President Bush's visit to Mayport Feb 13.

Photo by Stephanie Rowell

Sailors lined the deck of the USS Philippine Sea Feb. 13 at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville. They stood at parade rest in preparation for the boarding of the Commander-in-Chief of the United States military, President Bush.

Photo by James A. Smith Sr.

Patriotic Music by the Navy Band drowned out the roar of Air Force One at Mayport.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Michael Parker is a religious program specialist on the USS Philippine Sea which returned to port at Mayport Naval Station Feb. 7, just prior to President Bush's Feb. 13 visit. Parker, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Jamaica with a Baptist background, called the President's visit a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' and said it will be something to 'tell your grandkids about.' Parker, whose wife and 5-month-old daughter reside in Jacksonville, also said he believes the increased chance for conflict in the Middle-East is a fulfillment of prophecy. As for America's miltary leaders and Bush, Parker said 'I think they are doing the best job they can, and I'm behind [the president] 100 percent.'