President George W. Bush inspires Acadian

President George W. Bush reflected on the importance of freedom and values when he spoke to more than 2,200 people at Acadian Ambulance Service's annual Paramedic Luncheon on May 24th.

Freedom is one of the "principles that are inviolate, that do not change," Bush said. "Every man, woman and child on Earth shares a desire to be free. I believe the only way to secure our country for the long run ... is to spread freedom."

Discussing his two terms in office, Bush said he "never wanted to be a wartime president."

"The hardest decision by far was to put people in combat," he said. "Sometimes you have to make a principled decision ... I would not compromise on decisions that I thought would lead to a better tomorrow."

Noting that Acadian is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the president called the company a "testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of America."

"I gained such great respect for first responders during 9/11 and Katrina," he said. "I appreciate you using your skills to save others."

The 41st president called Acadian a "quintessentially American success story."

"The outstanding service that made a name for the company when it served only Lafayette Parish is now offered to millions of residents in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and across the nation," he said. "I'm confident that many more chapters of Acadian's success story remain to be written."