    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [April 19, 2003]
    [Page 353]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    April 19, 2003

        Good morning. This weekend, families across America will come
    together to celebrate Easter and continue the observance of Passover.
    This holy season reminds us of the value of freedom and the power of a
    love stronger than death.
        This year, Easter and Passover have special meaning for the families
    of our men and women in uniform who feel so intensely the absence of
    their loved ones during these days. More than 250,000 American troops
    are serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to protect our security and to
    free an oppressed people. Their families await their safe return, and
    our grateful Nation remembers them in prayer.
        Our whole Nation has also shared in the happiness of learning that
    seven American prisoners of war were rescued in northern Iraq earlier
    this week and are now safe. Thanks to the courage of our marines and the
    help of Iraqis, their families have even more reason to celebrate this
    weekend.
        After hearing the good news, the  Sr.
    parents of rescued helicopter pilot Ronald Young,
    Jr.,  Jr of Georgia thanked people from
    across America and as far away as Australia and Japan for their cards
    and flowers and prayers. Kaye Young, Ronald's mother, said, ``You can't
    believe the blessings that have come out of this. Even as sad as we
    were, as upset as we were to think that he was being held, there have
    been so many blessings.'' Mrs. Young continued, ``All over this country,
    people cared so much about us and about our son.''
        As a nation, we continue to pray for all who serve in our military
    and those who remain in harm's way. We also pray for those who have lost
    people they love in this war. I have met with some of these grieving
    families, and I have seen their sorrow and their strength.
        Corporal Henry Brown, a 22-year-old soldier
    from Natchez, Mississippi, was lost in battle earlier this month. After
    the news arrived, his best friend, Frank Woods, Jr.,
    Jr. said this about Henry: ``He believed God was working
    through him, and he was part of the plan. I guess part of the plan now
    is God calling his soldier home.''
        America mourns those who have been called home, and we pray that
    their families will find God's comfort and God's grace. His purposes are
    not always clear to us, yet this season brings a promise that good can
    come out of evil, that hope can arise from despair, and that all our
    grief will someday turn to joy, a joy that can never be taken away.
        Laura and I wish you all a happy Easter and a
    blessed Passover. Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 10:05 a.m. on April 16 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 19. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    April 18 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.