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President Bush arrives, greets and leaves from Southwest Florida International Airport Watch »

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Before leaving on Marine One at 11:56 p.m., President George W. Bush greeted supporters and presented an award to a local volunteer.

After sharing some quick moments and photos with the supporters at Southwest Florida International Airport, Bush approached 18-year-old Fort Myers resident Josh Kelchner, who spent eight years of his life in foster care.

“It’s definitely going to be memorable throughout the rest of my life,” Kelchner said after meeting with Bush. “I really can’t explain it any better than that.”

The president shook Kelchner’s hand, gave him a pat on the back and presented him with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which was created after Bush called for increased volunteer service in his 2002 State of the Union Address. Some 600 volunteers have received the award during Bush’s travels since March 2002.

Kelchner, who later showed off the award — a gold lapel pin — graduated from Dunbar High School in Fort Myers recently and has spent several years volunteering locally with Voices for Kids of Southwest Florida, a non-profit partner of the Guardian ad Litem program.

Kelchner has been speaking to local groups and educating other children in the skills needed for life outside of foster care. Kelchner is also a volunteer Sunday school leader at McGregor Baptist Church and he recently traveled to the Czech Republic on a 10-day mission trip.

In July, Kelchner will attend the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Monmouth, N.J.

Accompanying Kelchner were several friends and family members, including his legal guardian, John O’Sullivan of Cape Coral, and best friend, Jeff Hawley, 17, of Fort Myers.

Lined up at the base of the stairs that had been pulled up to Air Force One were a line of seven locals. Bush shook hands and enjoyed short conversations with a few of them.

Among those lined up were author Randy White, Circuit Court Judge Bruce Kyle, United States Marine Corps Reserve Officer Lance Cpl. Andrew Bush, retired school teacher Carol Aprio, International Ministerial Association member Yvonne Lacy, Lee Memorial Health System Chief Legal Officer Mary McGillicuddy and Reynolds Corporation retired administrative assistant Betty Muldoon.