NEW YORK - President Bush thanked veterans Tuesday for serving their country, noting wistfully that he'll "miss being commander in chief of such a fabulous group."

“Here is a great way to boost our economy. Everyone with a foreign car should go out and buy either GM, Ford or Chrysler. That way your money will give the economy a big boost. Americans should support the USA, not Japan or Korea. When you buy foreign cars they tell you that the cars are made here, which is wrong, the cars are assembled here. Another point: When you buy a foreign car some of your money goes to that country.”

Nearly every American who was alive at the time remembers what he or she was doing when the radio blasted out the news of a Japanese surprise attack on the United States at little-known Navy and Army bases in Hawaii. Support for war had been building in the country, but many believed it was a European war that didn’t concern us. That feeling changed in 90 minutes on a sunny Hawaiian morning.

HONOLULU - President Bush has asked his defense and interior secretaries to look into designating Pearl Harbor and other historic World War II sites in the Pacific a national monument.

MOMBASA, Kenya - French forces captured a suspected Somali pirate mother ship as the United States fought the marauders on another front, seeking ways to keep them from their spoils. Another U.S. freighter headed to port with armed sailors aboard after pirates damaged it with gunshots and grenades.

If being a successful businessman is also being a survivor, then Sam Bromert, owner of Liberty Market in downtown Gilbert for nearly a quarter-century, is a successful businessman — and a survivor.

“Snowbirds! Once again, you have taken over our towns, roadways, restaurants, etc. It is very hard to go anywhere without being run over, cut off, or driving as if you are still in your little farm towns... You are in the BIG town now! I cannot even take my family out to eat anywhere without having to wait forever! You have little respect for the people that live here! Your age does not give you the right to take over the roads, cut in front of me in stores and restaurants, and expect that I owe you something! Respect works both ways!”

NEW YORK - The nation's largest fireworks display exploded in a spectrum of color over the East River, temporarily stealing the spotlight from New York's world-famous skyline and helping to create a brilliant end to a day of July Fourth celebrations nationwide.

Navy man Melvin Brody served as an electrician’s mate aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. His duties called for him to fix electrical problems on the USS Richard B. Anderson for 3 1 /2 years.

Navy man Melvin Brody served as an electrician’s mate aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. His duties called for him to fix electrical problems on the USS Richard B. Anderson for 3 1 /2 years.

WASHINGTON - America dedicated a memorial today to the fast-thinning ranks of World War II veterans, a poignant last hurrah drawing together tens of thousands of old soldiers, sailors and heroes of the home front.

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Susan Keenan stood before Sen. John McCain, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded last week with him to help her Navy petty officer son bring his Filipina wife and two children home.

Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens: Every year, by law and by custom, we meet here to consider the state of the union. This year, we gather in this chamber deeply aware of decisive days that lie ahead.