July 21, 2008 was a memorable day for three members of the USA Softball  Women’s National team as they were invited to a day at the White House with  President George Bush, the First Lady and members of the White House staff.  Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.),  Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.)  and Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.)  were invited to an official send off from the President and First Lady to the  United States Olympic Committee and the U.S.  athletes who will be representing the Red, White and Blue in Beijing, China.

“It was such an incredible experience,” said Finch. “I was honored to be at  the White House with all the other athletes and we were welcomed with open  arms. The President was so nice and to think that I had the chance to eat  dinner sitting right next to him was just crazy. He said was looking forward to  coming to one of our games in China.”

“It was great to be there and feel so comfortable,” said Duran. “It was an  honor to be one of the few Olympians to be selected to go to this event. It was  a pinch-yourself experience to look down and see the White Housechina and  Jennie sitting next to the president eating dinner. I was moved by the history  of the White House and realizing all the people that have walked the halls I  was standing in.”

The day started with a 10 a.m. greeting by the  President in the Rose Garden. Members of the Olympic team were greeted with a  couple remarks by the President before USA Softball’s Finch presented him with  an authentic softball jersey with ‘Bush 08’ embroidered on the back.