NBC TO AIR TONIGHT | Points of Light Institute's All Together Now - A Celebration of Service Brings Together Star-Studded Crowd

STAR-STUDDED CROWD GATHERS TO HONOR PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, RAISING OVER $30 MILLION

Legendry Soul Man’s Sam Moore and judge of the upcoming TV Show The Voice, Cee Lo Green stole the show at the Points of Light Institute’s All Together Now – A Celebration of Service, honoring President George H.W. Bush, set to air on NBC tonight, March 28, 2011. The televised extravaganza, which took place at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., honored the President’s dedication to encouraging the value of service and volunteerism in the United States, bringing together United States presidents: President and Mrs. George W. Bush, President William J. Clinton, who served as honorary co-chair, President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter and President Barack Obama, who joined the festivities via video, emphasizing the crucial role of service in America. Other star-studded performances included Kid Rock, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Mavis Staples,Johnny Lang and Heather Headley.

Points of Light Institute is a hands-on organization which motivates and rallies people to take action to change the world, embracing service and civic engagement as a vital part of a focused life. In collaboration with the President’s tribute special, Points of Light Institute is asking Americans to recognize individuals in their communities by posting a tribute on the organizations Innovative Tribute Wall. Once posted, patrons can begin helping their communities by signing up for local volunteer opportunities.

To post and view the Tribute Wall, visit www.pointsoflight.org/tributes/wall. For further information on Points of Light Institute,www.pointsoflight.org.

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Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only and it is courtesy of PR

Bush Cuts Troops in Iraq by 8,000

President George W. Bush announced a plan Tuesday morning that would withdraw about 8,000 troops from Iraq by February and strengthen U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.

In his speech at the National Security University in Washington D.C., Bush said that improving conditions in Iraq will allow a "quite surge" of American troops to Afghanistan, where there has been a resurgence of the Taliban and increased violence.

The troop cut is smaller than what most expected due to the Bush administration's desire to maintain recent security gains in Iraq. This decision will mark Bush's final decision in a war that has defined his presidency.

Bush said that he is making the decision based on recommendations made by top military officers, including Gen. David Petraeus, the highest ranking military officer in Iraq.

"Over the next several months, we will bring home about 3,400 combat support forces -- including aviation personnel, explosive ordnance teams, combat and construction engineers, military police, and logistical support forces," Bush said.

"By November, we will bring home a Marine battalion that is now serving in Anbar province. And in February of 2009, another Army combat brigade will come home.

"This amounts to about 8,000 additional American troops returning home without replacement. And if the progress in Iraq continues to hold, Gen. Petraeus and our military leaders believe additional reductions will be possible in the first half of 2009."

Bush said that violence in Iraq is down to it's lowest point since spring of 2004, but more work needs to be done in Afghanistan, where troop presence has risen from 20,000 to 31,000 in the past two years.

"While the terrorists and extremists deliberately target and murder the innocent, coalition and Afghan forces risk their lives to protect the innocent," he said.

Oliver Stone's "W" Movie Trailer

Click on the video above to watch Oliver Stone's trailer for his new biopic on George W. Bush, it looks pretty interesting. Actors in the film are James Cromwell (playing the elder Bush), Josh Brolin (starring as President Bush), Thandie Newton (Condoleeza Rice) and "Fantastic Four" star Ioan Gruffudd (British Prime Minister Tony Blair). Could this be too controversial? A hit? Thoughts?

Tim Russert remembered, honored

NBC journalist Tim Russert's life and legacy was celebrated on The Today Show.

Colleagues and politicians have also expressed their sorrow and gave tribute to the newscaster.

"Tim had become an important part of our political process. He will be especially missed in this historic presidential election year," Dan Rather said. "Tim Russert was a beacon of quality journalism. At a time when quality journalism is in increasingly short supply, Tim Russert was a leader for what is best in American journalism. He was tough but fair, pulled no punches, played no favorites. As an interviewer, he had few, if any, peers."

Katie Couric called Russert a "big teddy bear of a guy" and a "pit bull of an interviewer."

"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will all miss him," said President George W. Bush. "As the longest-serving host of the longest-running program in the history of television, he was an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades."

Both candidates for Election 2008 also paid their respects.

"I am very saddened by Tim Russert's sudden death," Senator John McCain said. "Cindy and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Russert family as they cope with this shocking loss and remember the life and legacy of a loving father, husband and the preeminent political journalist of his generation."

Senator Barack Obama said he first met Russert at the 2004 convention.

"He’s somebody who, over time, I came to consider not only a journalist but a friend," he added. "There wasn’t a better interviewer in TV, not a more thoughtful analyst of our politics, and he was also one of the finest men I knew."

Jenna Bush gets married

(photo by Shealah Craighead / White House)

First Daughter Jenna Welch Bush wed Henry Chase Hager, son of a prominent Virginian Republican, Saturday evening on the Bush family ranch, despite threats of a tornado in the area.

The nuptials took place just before sundown on President George W. Bush's 1,600-acre Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas. It marked the first time the first daughter of a sitting U.S. president has married in 16 years.

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell presided over the ceremony, which took place in front of a 4-ft. limestone cross and altar, which President Bush said will be a permanent landmark to remember the occasion.

"This is a joyous occasion for our family, as we celebrate the happy life ahead of [Jenna] and her husband, Henry," President Bush said during his Saturday morning weekly radio broadcast. "It's also a special time for Laura, who this Mother's Day weekend will watch a young woman we raised together walk down the aisle."

The president walked the Oscar de la Renta-clad bride down the aisle, where she was joined by maid of honor and twin sister, Barbara.

Dinner and dancing was held under tents, and the wedding singer was Nashville-based Tyrone Smith, also known as Super T, a southern frat party favorite.

Hager met the first daughter when both were working on her father's re-election campaign in 2004. The two reportedly plan to live in Baltimore, MD., where they just bought a townhouse.

George W. Bush biopic

Director Oliver Stone has reportedly started production on a biopic about President George W. Bush. The film, 'W,' will star Josh Brolin of 'No Country for Old Men' as Bush, The Decider.

Laura Bush is played by Elizabeth Banks, Rob Corddry is Ari Fleisher, and Paul Giamatti and Thandie Newton are reportedly in talks to portray Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice, respectively.

Entertainment Weekly visited the Louisiana set and took a glimpse at the script, revealing scenes about Bush's youth and presidency. The film is, of course, from Stone's one-sided perspective.

"Bush may turn out to be the worst president in history," Stone told EW. "But that doesn't mean he isn't a great story... The fact that he had to overcome the shadow of his father and the weight of his family name - you have to admire his tenacity."

Stone is a button-pushing director whose films include 'JFK' and 'Nixon.'