Bush links terror war to independence war

MOUNT VERNON, Virginia (Reuters) - President George W. Bush linked the U.S.-led war on terrorism on Monday to the country's struggle for independence led by George Washington more than 200 hundred years ago.

Bush visited the snow-covered grounds where Washington lived and died and which today is a popular tourist attraction.

Joined by his wife Laura, with a military honor guard wearing Revolutionary War uniforms standing at attention, Bush laid a wreath at the tomb of the first American president on the Presidents Day holiday to mark Washington's birth 275 years ago.

BigBigNews correspondents present at the event say Bush made notable references to Senate Democrates as "Copperheads," and left the stage after thanking the republican stronghold "red-coat states" for their unending support. [Source: Reuters]