President Bush met with 33 wounded servicemen and their families yesterday during his brief stop in the Islands, during which he also lunched with military leaders before getting on Air Force One to return to Washington, D.C.

After a one-and-a-half-hour closed-door session with the wounded Hawai'i-based Marines, soldiers and sailor, Bush said he was "amazed at their spirit and resolve."

Speaking to reporters, Bush also said he was "encouraged" during his recent surprise visit to Iraq, and said he believes a much-anticipated report from Gen. David Petraeus on the status of the Iraq war will show the United States has made gains.

Petraeus is set to testify before Congress tomorrow on the report.

"I came back from Iraq encouraged by what I saw," Bush said. "My resolve is stronger than ever. I believe we will succeed."

Bush landed at Hickam Air Force Base about 11:05 a.m.

He was on his way back to Washington, D.C., from Australia, where the president met with world leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Bush left Hawai'i about 2:30 p.m.

MOTORCYCLE ESCORT

During his visit, traffic on Hickam and Pearl Harbor Naval Base, where Bush had lunch, was stopped to allow his motorcade to pass.

Servicemembers, standing at attention, also guarded side streets along the motorcade route, while motorcycle officers and police cars drove in front and behind the president's limousine and escort vehicles with White House staff and members of the media.

There were no reports of problems with the motorcade, which police had worried about in the wake of a motorcycle officer's death during the president's last visit to O'ahu in November 2006.

Police officer Steve Favela was injured and later died after his motorcycle slipped on rain-slickened roads on Hickam while he was escorting the president to a breakfast with troops.

Yesterday, the president was greeted at Hickam by Gov. Linda Lingle and several local military leaders. While still on the tarmac, Bush met briefly with Nu'uanu resident Caroline Tom, who received a volunteer service pin for 15 years of donating her time.

In return, the 78-year-old gave Bush a lei and a kiss.

She then quickly brushed her lipstick from his cheek.

Bush then headed to the private meeting with wounded servicemen at the enlisted club at Hickam. Navy Lt. Com. Christine O'Connell, said the men were hand-picked, and felt honored to get personal time with the president. Many were moved to tears.

The servicemen, who get outpatient care from Tripler Army Medical Center or Kane'ohe Bay Marine Base, and their families were each given private spaces to meet with the president. They snapped photos and talked about how they were injured.

One soldier was wounded in Afghanistan; all the others were wounded in Iraq.

"I had one wife who was saying it was the greatest moment of her life," O'Connell said. "It was nice. It made me really feel good."

GREETS SUPPORTERS

About 1 p.m., Bush headed to a lunch at the Pearl Harbor home of Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the U.S. Pacific Command. The luncheon, which was not open to the press, included the top leaders of all the armed forces in Hawai'i, officials said.

At the end of Bush's visit, about 150 military members and civilians greeted the president at Hickam as he left his motorcade to get back on Air Force One. Bush stopped for about five minutes to shake hands and pose for photos with the supporters, who also sent him off with loud hoots, whistles and roaring applause.

Lance Cpl. Christian Jones, a 21-year-old Marine, was ecstatic after shaking hands with the president. He had waited more than two hours to see Bush, and even got to take a photo with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "I'm inspired, just inspired," he said.

Army Sgt. Anthony Cruz was beaming after meeting Bush.

"I didn't know how to react," he said. "It was so exciting."

The Boenisch family all huddled in to get a snapshot with the president. Debbie Boenisch, her husband, Air Force Maj. Jeremiah Boenisch, and their two daughters, 9-year-old Kylie and 6-year-old Kate, waited for about 30 minutes for Bush — and they all said it was well worth the wait for 10 seconds with the president.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Debbie Boenisch said.

Bush was originally scheduled to make two stopovers in Hawai'i this month, but a visit on Labor Day was canceled after Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq, where he met with troops for about six hours.

Bush then headed to Australia for the economic summit, which he attends annually. On his way to Hawai'i yesterday, Bush said he made two phone calls to check in on first lady Laura Bush, who went in for surgery to relieve pinched nerves in her neck.

Bush told reporters his wife had returned to the White House and is recovering well. "She's doing great," he said.

"I told her I'm looking forward to having breakfast with her."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.