Marshall County Tribune: Local News: President Bush calling ... (01/04/08)

Photos submitted Seaman Michael Brindle at the helm of one of USCGC Monomoy's small boats.

Seaman Michael Brindle, 23, is deployed in the Persian Gulf with the Coast Guard cutter Monomoy. Just before Christmas he was summoned to the bridge for a telephone call.

Brindle's first thought was that it must be bad news from home. His parents, David and Susan Brindle, live in Lewisburg. He feared something might have happened to them.

The reality turned out to be quite different. On the other end of the line was a White House aide who wanted to confirm his availability to take a phone call from President Bush on Christmas Eve. The president made calls from Camp David to 11 members of the Armed Forces who are stationed overseas to wish them a merry Christmas.

The recipients of the calls are not chosen at random; they have to be recommended by their commanding officers.

See this Friday's Tribune for the complete story.