MILWAUKEE, Wis. – President Bush says a state of heightened alert for terror attacks over the holiday weekend shouldn't deter Americans from celebrating Independence Day. Here's what the president plans:
Like many Americans, Bush is going on the road for the Fourth of July. The president, accompanied by Laura Bush, will join thousands of others at late-morning festivities honoring veterans in the courthouse square of tiny Ripley, W.Va.
The White House will later host a small gathering of federal workers on the South Lawn and that Bush will likely watch the city's fireworks display from the Truman Balcony, Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
While visiting a church in Milwaukee Tuesday, Bush said Americans concerned about the looming threat should know the government is doing what it can to prevent more attacks. But they should also spend the holiday "deliberating the fact that we're fortunate enough to be Americans," he said.
"They should celebrate heartily because we have freedom and we love freedom," the president said.
Fleischer said there has been no change in the government's terrorism alert level. "It remains a time of celebration and vigilance," he said.
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