    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 24, 2001]
    [Pages 1442-1443]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    November 24, 2001

        Good morning. Thanksgiving this year comes 72 days after a terrible
    national shock, an act of evil that caused, and continues to cause, so
    much suffering. Yet, the evil the terrorists intended has resulted in
    good they never expected. And this holiday season, Americans have much
    to be thankful for.
        We're thankful for the character of our fellow citizens who are
    flying flags and donating to charity and comforting those who grieve.
    Americans have aided the families of victims and the starving children
    of Afghanistan, half a world away. This country has a good and generous
    heart.
        We're thankful for the decency of the American people who have stood
    for the American tradition of tolerance and religious liberty, a
    tradition that has welcomed and protected generations of immigrants from
    every faith and background.
        We are thankful for new heroes, police officers and firefighters and
    emergency workers, who have renewed our respect for public service and
    provided lasting lessons in courage.
        We're thankful for the men and women of our military, who are
    defending our lives and liberty with such skill, honor, and success.
        We're thankful, this year even more intensely, for our lives and our
    families and the love of those around us. Americans are remembering what
    really matters--holding our children more closely, giving them more
    time.

    [[Page 1443]]

        And we're thankful to God, who turned suffering into strength and
    grief into grace. Offering thanks in the midst of tragedy is an American
    tradition, perhaps because in times of testing, our dependence on God is
    so clear.
        The Pilgrims gave thanks even after the many deaths of a bitter
    winter. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed days of national thanksgiving even
    during a bloody Civil War. Lincoln asked God to heal the wounds of the
    Nation and to restore it, as soon as it may be consistent with the
    divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility.
    We pray for this goal, and we work for it.
        In America, blessings are meant to be shared, and our Thanksgiving
    is revealed in concern for others. At this season, Laura and I hope
    you'll find ways to reach out and share your blessings and talents in
    your own communities: Tutor or mentor a child; volunteer in a hospital;
    support our troops by becoming active in the USO; comfort those who feel
    afraid; show your kindness to a Muslim neighbor; help someone in need of
    shelter or food or words of hope; and continue to pray for America.
        We will face difficult times ahead. The fight we have begun will not
    be quickly or easily finished. Our enemies hide and plot in many
    nations. They are devious and ruthless. Yet we are confident in the
    justice of our cause. We will fight for as long as it takes, and we will
    prevail.
        May God grant us patience, resolve, and wisdom in all that is to
    come. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:50 a.m. on November 21 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November
    24. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on November 23 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of the address. The Thanksgiving Day proclamation of
    November 16 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.