I found these pictures while reading through this week's New York Times. If you read political blogs, you've probably already seen them, but I just enjoyed seeing them so much, I had to post them.
President Bush was the commencement speaker at Monday's US Merchant Marine Academy graduation ceremony in New York state.
According to the New York Times' story, Gabriel Whitney was overjoyed to be graduating "after six years of undergraduate school and 4,872 demerits."
With more reason than most to be overjoyed, the 6-foot-7 midshipman stepped onto the stage to accept his degree and hugged Vice Adm. Joseph D. Stewart, the academy's superintendent. Then he raised both arms in a victorious salute as his classmates roared their approval.
Elated and with his arms still upraised, he turned toward President Bush, who had just delivered the commencement address.
Mr. Bush, wearing a quizzical expression, responded by raising his arms as well and moved in for a hug. The midshipman — almost unwittingly — found himself squeezing the president in his powerful arms. When the president caught his breath, he shook Mr. Whitney's hand.
The first photo is by the Associated Press' s Charles Dharapak, and the series of photos above is by Reuters' Jason Reed.
