Just re-read the Press Conference questions...

wouldn't the photo-op have been 1,000 times greater if Bush HAD met the carrier in port and thanked THE FAMILIES who sacrificed to make the mission possible? After all out military has a lot of men and women serving.... but every one of theose men and women may have a couple people waiting at the yard to greet them and welcome them home.

Oh, but then protesters might have shown up.

can't have protestors.