Reader TTS

Yes, I think about painting all the time. And I view colors differently. So if you look at the sky, you may see it as one color. But I see it as a series of colors. Or I think, L_ook at the

shadow that goes across that grass or concrete._ AS YOU PAINTED THESE 98 VETERANS FOR YOUR NEW BOOK, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? For a while I was thinking, _How can I make that person's

portrait better?!_ But really, I was thinking about why I was doing this book in the first place. It's to honor veterans I've gotten to know, who are an incredible asset to our

country. Think about it: Eighteen-year-old kids volunteered to face danger. And when you get to know these men and women the way I do, you realize they want no pity. They're proud of

their accomplishments. They would do it again. And they need help. So the purpose is not only to honor them — and, frankly, to do something unique that has never been done, which is a

commander in chief painting portraits of troops he put into combat — but also to call attention to the invisible wounds of war like PTS and TBIs. The other reason to do the book is that

maybe some vets will read the story of, say, Michael Rodriguez and find something that helps them. Over time, Rod's been [overcoming his wounds], and one of the ways he's doing

this is by learning to forge metal. So maybe  somebody'll  see Rod or somebody else and go, "Wow, I can relate to them, and maybe I'll follow their same path." Because

we've learned that many vets with these wounds think there's shame attached, that "I'd better not talk about this because people might think I'm weak." Or

"I'd best keep it inside because someone may not hire me." SIGN UP FOR THE AARP LEISURE NEWSLETTER — NEWS AND DISCOUNTS DELIVERED TO YOU EVERY MONTH Lieutenant Melissa

Stockwell, Army, 2002-2005 Sergeant William Ganem, Marines, 1996-2005 A WARRIOR MENTALITY. Very much so. And the message of this book is, it's courageous to talk about it. And if you

need help, seek it. Some people in the book were reluctant to talk but began to as step one of the healing process. We discovered through our bike rides, through our golf tournaments, that

when vets talk to vets, it really helps. DO WE DO ENOUGH FOR OUR VETS? I think we try. I think when you compare this with the Vietnam era, we do a heck of a lot more, starting with respect

and appreciation for sacrifices. The institute is part of helping determine what works and then getting the message to the vets. Because the truth of the matter is, a vet has to want to help

him- or herself. YOU LEFT A VERY BIG JOB AND STARTED THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO, THEN STARTED DOING THOSE THINGS. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO VETERANS WHO HAVE LEFT WHAT MIGHT HAVE

BEEN THE BIGGEST JOB IN THEIR LIVES? The first message is, you've got some skills that are really important. And you can make a significant contribution to a company, a nongovernmental

organization, a group of people. Secondly, you've got to learn how to talk about it. HOW HAVE THE VETS REACTED TO THE PORTRAITS YOU PAINTED OF THEM? Well, I think they're all very

pleased and honored that I would paint them. Probably a little surprised. I've probably never gotten an honest reaction. _[Laughs.]_ Because I don't think they want to offend a

commander in chief. YOU'RE FROM A LONG-LIVED FAMILY; YOU PROBABLY HAVE ANOTHER 20, 30 YEARS TO GO, AT LEAST. HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING THAT TIME? Well, grandparenthood is great.

Defending the values of the Bush Center, I think, is going to be very important. Laura and I will be going to Africa this spring to encourage Namibia and Botswana to continue with the

cervical cancer effort that was started here at the Bush Center. That's going to be very important. But the painting trip has no end. When you look at my early paintings today, you can

see I've learned a lot. And when you study the history of painters, it's an evolutionary process. I don't know where it's going to end up. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME,

PRESIDENT BUSH. IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE. Thank you, buddy. Thanks for coming down.