President Bush Thanks Troops And Families

By Gene Harper
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2004 – President Bush turned the
nation's thoughts to
servicemembers and their families during a pre-Thanksgiving
White House event
Nov. 17.

"During this holiday season," the president said, "we think
especially of our
men and women of the armed forces, many of whom are
spending Thanksgiving far
from home.

"America is proud of our military. We're proud of our
military families," he
said. "And we give them our thanks every day of the year."

Bush recalled his surprise 2003 Thanksgiving Day visit with
troops serving in
Iraq's Baghdad area. Under tight-lipped security and
secrecy, the president
flew to Iraq and dined with about 600 servicemembers and
invited guests.

That day, he told the stunned audience they were on duty in
Iraq "so that we
don't have to face them in our own country."

"You're defeating Saddam's henchmen so that the people of
Iraq can live in
peace and freedom. By helping the Iraqi people become free,
you're helping
change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping
to build a peaceful
and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you
are defending the
American people from danger, and we are grateful," Bush
said at his 2003 visit.

At the White House this year, he noted that "those men and
women, like all who
wear our nation's uniform, have volunteered to serve," Bush
said. "Through
their courage and skill and sacrifice they are keeping our
country safe and
free."

The president reminded guests Nov. 17 that "we are a nation
founded by men and
women who deeply felt their dependence on God and always
gave Him thanks and
praise."

"As we prepare for Thanksgiving in 2004, we have much to be
thankful for: our
families, our friends, our beautiful country, and the
freedom granted to each
one of us by the Almighty."

The president hosted the annual White House event in honor
of the national
Thanksgiving turkey. In keeping with custom, Bush granted
this year's bird,
Biscuits, a presidential pardon, meaning that it was "not
going to end up on
the table." And in an unusual twist, the president included
a second turkey,
Gravy, in the pardon.