President pays tribute to the troops
In his first Christmas message as commander in chief, President Obama pays tribute to the men and women fighting two wars, all those serving overseas, those wounded in battle, and the loved ones of those who fell on the battlefield.
"To all our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, I have no greater honor than serving as your Commander in Chief. I've been awed by your selfless spirit, your eagerness to serve -- at the Naval Academy and West Point. I've been energized by your dedication to duty -- from Baghdad to the Korean Peninsula. Michelle and I have been moved by your determination -- wounded warriors at Walter Reed and Bethesda, fighting to recover, to get back to your units," he said in his weekly Internet and radio address, released by the White House this evening.
"And I've been humbled, profoundly, by patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In flag-draped caskets coming home at Dover. In the quiet solitude of Arlington. And after years of multiple tours of duty, as you carry on with our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, your service, your readiness to make that same sacrifice, is an inspiration to us and to every American," said Obama, who also called selected service members from the White House before he left for Hawaii for the holidays.
In a rare feature of the weekly address, First Lady Michelle Obama joins in. She has made helping military families one of her primary causes as first lady, and she and the president ask all Americans to find a way to assist them.
"I've met military spouses doing the parenting of two -- keeping the household together, juggling play dates and soccer games, helping with homework, doing everything they can to make the kids feel OK even as they try to hide their own fears and worries," she says. "I've met kids who wonder when mom or dad is coming home; grandparents and relatives who step in to care for our wounded warriors; and folks trying to carry on after losing the person they loved most in the world.
"And through it all, these families somehow still find the time and energy to serve their communities as well -- coaching Little League, running the PTA, raising money to help those less fortunate than they are, and more. But even these strong military families can use a hand, especially during the holidays. If you live near a military base, you can reach out through your workplaces, your schools, your churches. There are so many ways to help -- with child care, with errands, or by just bringing over a home-cooked meal. Even if you don't know a military family nearby, your family can still help by donating or volunteering at organizations that support military families."
The full address is below and can be viewed here.
In the weekly Republican address, Representative Duncan Hunter of California also urges Americans to think about service members.
"Thoughts of home remind us of why we serve: because we're proud to be Americans, because we want to pass on to our children the blessings of liberty that we inherited from our forefathers, and because nothing matters more to us than protecting our homes and our families," said Hunter, a combat veteran.
He also noted this country's 10 percent unemployment rate. "I hope we also take a moment this year to reflect on those suffering here at home," he said. "For too many families, this will be a difficult Christmas."
OBAMA'S ADDRESS
PRESIDENT: Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas. As you and your families gather to celebrate the holidays, we wanted to take a moment to send greetings from our family?from me, from Michelle, from Malia and Sasha?and from Bo.
FIRST LADY: This is our first Christmas in the White House, and we are so grateful for this extraordinary experience. Not far from here, in the Blue Room, is the official White House Christmas Tree. It?s an 18-foot tall Douglas-fir from West Virginia and it?s decorated with hundreds of ornaments designed by people and children from all over the country. Each one is a reminder of the traditions we cherish as Americans and the blessings we?re thankful for this holiday season.
PRESIDENT: That?s right, especially as we continue to recover from an extraordinary recession that still has so many Americans hurting: parents without a job who struggled to put presents under the Christmas tree; families and neighbors who?ve seen their home foreclosed; folks wondering what the new year will bring.
But even in these tough times, there?s still so much to celebrate this Christmas. A message of peace and brotherhood that continues to inspire more than 2,000 after Jesus? birth. The love of family and friends. The bonds of community and country. And the character and courage of our men and women in uniform who are far from home for the holidays, away from their families, risking their lives to protect ours.
To all our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen?I have no greater honor than serving as your Commander in Chief. I?ve been awed by your selfless spirit, your eagerness to serve?at the Naval Academy and West Point. I?ve been energized by your dedication to duty?from Baghdad to the Korean Peninsula. Michelle and I have been moved by your determination?wounded warriors at Walter Reed and Bethesda, fighting to recover, to get back to your units.
And I?ve been humbled, profoundly, by patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In flag-draped caskets coming home at Dover. In the quiet solitude of Arlington. And after years of multiple tours of duty, as you carry on with our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, your service, your readiness to make that same sacrifice, is an inspiration to us and to every American.
FIRST LADY: And so are your families. As First Lady, one of my greatest privileges is to visit with military families across the country. I?ve met military spouses doing the parenting of two?keeping the household together, juggling play dates and soccer games, helping with homework, doing everything they can to make the kids feel OK even as they try to hide their own fears and worries.
I?ve met kids who wonder when mom or dad is coming home; grandparents and relatives who step in to care for our wounded warriors; and folks trying to carry on after losing the person they loved most in the world.
And through it all, these families somehow still find the time and energy to serve their communities as well?coaching Little League, running the PTA, raising money to help those less fortunate than they are, and more.
But even these strong military families can use a hand, especially during the holidays. If you live near a military base, you can reach out through your workplaces, your schools, your churches. There are so many ways to help?with child care, with errands, or by just bringing over a home-cooked meal. Even if you don?t know a military family nearby, your family can still help by donating or volunteering at organizations that support military families.
PRESIDENT: You can also reach out directly to our forces around the world. Kids can make a card that will bring a smile to an American far from home. Adults can send a care package or a pre-paid phone card that makes the tour at little easier. Every American can do something to support our troops, even if it?s as simple as just saying thank you. For more ways to let our troops know you care, go to www.whitehouse.gov
So to all our men and women in uniform spending the holidays far from home?whether it?s at a base here in the states, a mess hall in Iraq or a remote outpost in Afghanistan, know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers. And this holiday season?and every Holiday season?know that we are doing everything in our power to make sure you can succeed in your missions and come home safe to your families.
FIRST LADY: And to all Americans, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.
PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas, everybody.
About Political Intelligence
Glen Johnson is Politics Editor at boston.com and lead blogger for "Political Intelligence." He moved to Massachusetts in the fourth grade, and has covered local, state, and national politics for over 25 years. E-mail him at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen. |
