Russellville resident gets stage seat for Bush speech

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
Sitting on the stage behind President George W. Bush as he pushed his new social security plan in Montgomery on Thursday, Opal Ross wasn't sure what to think.
Ross, 81, of Russellville, was invited to sit on the stage during the "Conversation on Strengthening Social Security" as Bush pushed for a privatization of the program at Auburn University-Montgomery during a four-state trip Thursday.
Ross, who is no stranger to politics, made the trip to Montgomery for the speech following a late-night call from the governor's office on Wednesday.
After making an early hair appointment Thursday morning, Ross and her son, Don, left for the capital.
Sitting on the second row of the stage just a few feet away from the president, Ross was able to get his autograph and to give him a little message.
With more than 4,000 people in attendance, Ross was one of just a few who was able to meet Bush.
Ross, who worked on B-29 fighter planes in Birmingham during World War II, said that Bush makes the third president that she has met and the fourth that she has seen in person.
Ross said that she gained an interest in politics from her father and has carried that with her for most of her life.