Sunday, Aug. 27
Some 12,000 American Legionnaires, in Salt Lake City for the organization's 88th annual National Convention, turn downtown into a gigantic display of patriotism with a more than two-hour parade of honor guards, marching bands and the American Legion Riders motorcycle group.... Dignitaries in the reviewing stand on 200 South, between State Street and 200 East, include Allen Dale June, a member of the Marines' famed "Code Talker" battalion of World War II.... Earlier Sunday, Legionnaires attend a patriotic memorial service featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the LDS Church's Conference Center.... Speaker Elder Lance B. Wickman of the church's First Quorum of Seventy says service to others is what really matters and that service in the military can be a "sacred duty." ... Speaker Steven E. Wright, a Utahn who is the Legion's national chaplain, gives special recognition to audience members Tony and Amy Galvez, a Salt Lake couple whose son, Marine Cpl. Adam Galvez, was killed in Iraq Aug. 20.
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Monday,Aug. 28
The Utah Republican Party launches a radio ad campaign urging its supporters to call Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson, who plans to speak at an anti-war rally preceding President Bush's visit to the Legion convention, and "tell him to stop embarrassing Utah." ... By late afternoon, the mayor's office receives 183 calls.... The Utah GOP announces it is resuming plans for a public welcome rally Wednesday night for Bush at Washington Square, though the president will not attend.... At the Air National Guard Base, where Air Force One will arrive Wednesday night, a rally is planned with about 3,000 people with tickets they obtained from the offices of Utah's congressional delegation.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addresses the Legion convention, praising Bush for his "strong resolve" in a time of war, saying America faces a new type of fascism and blasting the media for its "myths and distortions" in reporting on the Iraq war.... Rumsfeld visits the warehouse of Globus Relief and praises volunteers with Operation Give, which distributes toys, hygiene supplies and other goods to Iraqis.... Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the Legion convention, saying progress since the 9/11 attacks is "breaking the backs" of al-Qaida and warns, "If we quit before the job is done, the cost of failure will be severe." ... Earlier in the day, Rice has breakfast with Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.... In a brief interview, she says Americans can disagree about the war but protest should be done "without impugning the integrity of those who made the decision." ... Rice also meets with East High students Rebecca Brown, Heather Church and Kirsten Schiel, who painted a violin for the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy's "Strings of Diplomacy." ... Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who had been planning to attend Wednesday's anti-war rally, says she will not be able to attend, because she is still recovering from surgery.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Thousands attend more than a half-dozen rallies and protests throughout the day.... Legionnaires and others are the first to rally in support the troops in Iraq.... National Legion Commander Tom Bock urges protesters to avoid undermining troops' morale and safety.... At a smaller-attended pro-troop rally in Liberty Park, the message delivered is the same while lacking partisan political overtones.... "This isn't about the politicians. It's about the men and women who are being activated," says Cathie Costanzo, whose son recently returned from active duty.... Mayor Anderson, who championed Wednesday's protest against the president on Washington Square, delights the anti-war crowd by lashing out at Bush, Rice and Rumsfeld for their handling of the Iraq war.... "We will continue to resist the lies, the deceptions, the outrages of the Bush administration and this complacent, complicit, go-along Congress," he says.... At Liberty Park hours before President Bush's arrival, Latino immigrants and supporters urge the president to continue pushing for immigration reform to legalize many of the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, while securing America's borders.... Thousands cheer Bush's arrival in Utah, prompting the president to express thanks for "a fantastic Utah welcome."
Thursday, Aug. 31
Capping a memorable week in Utah, President Bush meets first with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then speaks to the Legionnaires and addresses a morning fund-raiser for Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.... To the Legion and again to the party faithful attending Hatch's event, the president stresses his belief that the United States must remain steadfast in Iraq and in its war against terror. "The security of the civilized world depends on victory in the war on terror, and that depends on victory in Iraq," he tells the Legionnaires.... The president re-boards Air Force One, departing Salt Lake City just after noon, en route to Camp David for the Labor Day weekend.