Sitting down to their Thanksgiving turkey at Baghdad International Airport, the last person they expected to see was their President.

Then Paul Bremer, the head of the occupation administration who was hosting the holiday meal, announced that he was supposed to read the President’s Thanksgiving address but would instead defer to the most senior person at the heavily guarded airport, which serves as the coalition’s military headquarters.

“Is there anybody back there more senior than us?” he asked.

To the astonishment of the 600 troops dressed in desert fatigues in the mess hall, President Bush then emerged from behind a curtain in a military jacket.

It was a moment of pure theatre that triggered a chorus of deafening cheers.

“I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere,” said Mr Bush, as tears filled his eyes.

“Thanks for inviting me to dinner . . . I can’t think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all,” he gushed before shaking hands with the troops.

Then, wading into the crowd, he dispensed hugs and posed for photos.

A towering army master sergeant, Michael Johnson of Turlock, California, thrust his hand at the President.

“Johnson,” President Bush declared as his hand was enveloped by the sergeant’s. “I’m glad we’re on the same side.”

Afterwards, Sergeant Johnson, 40, cut a fairly blasé pose.

“It was a pleasant surprise, actually,” he said. “They had us waiting so long I started to get (mad). But it’s not so often you get to meet a president.”

Times Recommends

• Rio Tinto four held as China prepares case
• Diplomats must keep heads down and trousers up
• When in Rome should one make like Berlusconi?