Navy Lines TPC 18 For H.W.

Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush salutes servicemembers who attended a ceremony at The Players Championship (TPC) golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass to honor the former president with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the tour. The event took place on Military Appreciation Day at TPC Sawgrass. MC2 Alan Gragg

President Bush arrived to the 18th green flanked by the local Sailors. The former commander-in-chief was awarded the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour lifetime achievement award on the green as part of a military appreciation day.

Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet was at the ceremony to greet President Bush.

"For those of us in the military, we aspire to serve in the likeness of great citizens and leaders, and the man the PGA Tour is honoring today is certainly among them," said Kernan.

President Bush made it a point to thank the military and all the volunteers who made this years PGA tour possible, he also said that he was honored to receive the award.

Sailors march down the 18th fairway at The Players Championship (TPC) golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Sailors enjoyed the event's Military Appreciation Day and attended a ceremony to honor Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the tour. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg/Released) MC2 Alan Gragg

"It means a great deal to receive this distinguished award from an organization like the PGA Tour," said Bush.

Kernan also described to President Bush why it was so fitting to have so many Sailors in attendance.

"Mr. President, you have, and continue, to inspire a nation since you were 18 years old," said Kernan. "We who serve in the U.S. Navy, firmly believe that your [President Bush] most formative years began at that age, when you joined the Naval service - where honor, courage and commitment become action words in your life and clearly remained with your throughout your public service."

The 41st President of the United States is one of only nine people to receive the award and he is now ranked among other recipients such as Jack Nicklaus.

Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, U.S. 4th Fleet, right, jokes about former U.S. President George H. W. Bush's golf handicap during a ceremony at The Players Championship (TPC) golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass to honor the former president with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the tour. The event took place on Military Appreciation Day at TPC Sawgrass. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg MC2 Alan Gragg

Over 100 Sailors from Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville march onto the 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass in anticipation of the arrival of former President of the United States George H. W. Bush. President Bush was on hand to receive the Professional Golfers Association Tour Lifetime Achievement Award. MC2 Daniel Gay

Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush salutes servicemembers who attended a ceremony at The Players Championship (TPC) golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass to honor the former president with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the tour. The event took place on Military Appreciation Day at TPC Sawgrass. MC2 Alan Gragg