New York Local News

NEW YORK (CBS) ― President Bush, marking Veterans Day at a Manhattan pier that is home to the World War II aircraft carrier Intrepid, praised veterans past and present who have defended U.S. liberty.

"Veterans have inspired me," Bush said in a speech Tuesday before attending rededication ceremony of the Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum. "I was raised by a veteran. I appreciate the commitment to our country that the veterans have made."

"Our nation is blessed because our liberties have been defended by brave men and women in the past and we are blessed to have brave men and women defend our liberties today."

Noting that this will be his last Veterans Day as president, Bush said Tuesday that he will miss being commander-in-chief of "such a fabulous group of men and women."

The Intrepid returned last month to the pier where it has served for 24 years as a military and space museum. In late 2006, the carrier was moved for extensive repairs and improvements costing nearly $120 million.

Launched in 1943 as one of the Navy's then-new Essex-class attack carriers, the USS Intrepid figured in six major Pacific theater campaigns including Leyte Gulf, the war's greatest naval battle. It survived five Japanese kamikaze planes and a torpedo but lost 270 crew members in combat.

After World War II, the Intrepid saw service in the Korean and Vietnam wars and was twice a recovery ship for NASA astronauts before it was decommissioned and mothballed in a Philadelphia shipyard -- slated for demolition until rescued by New York real estate developer and philanthropist Zachary Fisher. 

Over the weekend, the public got its first peek at the newly refurbished Intrepid, and lots of vets revisited cherished memories:

"You worked 16 hours a day. You didn't mind…you were just a kid, maybe 19, 20 years old. It was the best thing that happened to you as a young guy," said Neal O'Connor, who served on the Intrepid as a young man.

And on this Veterans Day, the Intrepid can be a symbol of service and sacrifice:

"Five kamikaze attacks struck this ship. Over 270 sailors gave their lives in service to our country. Whether you are for or against the war, we're about support for our troops. Show them love and respect," said President of the Intrepid Museum, Bill White.

There's a new way to support our troops with just a touch of a finger on this Veterans Day. You can send a text message with just the word 'Troops' to 69866.

Here's a reminder of what's open and closed on Tuesday, November 11. Schools in New York and Connecticut are closed. New Jersey schools have the option to close. Government offices will be closed and the MTA will be functioning on a normal workday schedule. 

Meanwhile, President-elect Obama planned to honor fallen troops Tuesday, taking a short break from his primary task of mapping out his administration to mark Veterans Day.

The Democrat was slated to lay a wreath in Chicago, accompanied by Tammy Duckworth, a disabled Iraq war veteran and 2006 failed congressional candidate who now is the Illinois governor's veterans affairs director.

Aside from the brief public appearance, Obama planned to huddle in private with top advisers planning for the transfer of presidential power in January.

His aides say no Cabinet positions are to be announced this week, though White House staff positions may come later in the week.

Aides say Obama talks with transition chief John Podesta and other transition committee members several times a day, as well as with Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois congressman who was tapped for White House chief of staff.

Obama is expected to remain in Chicago all week, and aides say he doesn't plan to meet with world leaders in the United States this weekend for a summit on the global economic crisis.

"He's very interested and thought it was a good idea to have the meeting, but ... there's only one president at a time, and we will stay up to date and briefed on what's going on but will not be a participant," said Robert Gibbs, a senior Obama adviser. Gibbs said "it's a possibility" that Obama advisers will take part in the meeting.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

• Go! New York For A Healthy Lifestyle
• Got Wit? Play CBS 2's Caption Game!
• 20 Questions
• Celebrities On Twitter
• Celebrity Real Names Revealed
• When It Was Out To Be Out
• Hilarious Movie Blunders
• World's Coolest Fighter Jets