Bush to mother who lost son in Iraq: 'I grieve' (Reuters)

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) -
President George W. Bush on Thursday said he sympathized with a mother who lost a son in
Iraq and who has been leading a protest vigil near his ranch but that he would not pull U.S. troops from Iraq prematurely.

"I grieve for every death," Bush said as Cindy Sheehan remained camped out about five miles away. For six days she has been demanding Bush meet with her about her son, Casey Austin Sheehan, an Army specialist killed in combat in Baghdad in April 2004.

"It breaks my heart to think about a family weeping over the loss of a loved one. I understand the anguish that some feel about the death that takes place," Bush said.

But, he added, "Pulling the troops out would send a terrible signal to the enemy."

Semper Fi