    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 24, 2003]
    [Page 1760]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1760]]

    Christmas Message to the Members of the Armed Forces
    December 24, 2003

        Laura and I send greetings to the men and
    women of our military. Many of you are far from home during the
    holidays. We know you miss the people you love, especially this time of
    year. Your family and friends and fellow citizens miss you too--and our
    whole country is proud of you.
        All who serve in our military are protecting the American people in
    a time of challenge and danger. You are confronting terrorists abroad so
    that we don't have to face them in our own country, and so that people
    around the world can live in peace. By spreading freedom and democracy,
    you are making our future more secure.
        As your Commander in Chief, I am proud of every one of you. Some of
    your comrades have been wounded, and we pray for their recovery. Some
    have given their lives. This Nation will never forget their service and
    sacrifice, and in this holiday season we pray that God will comfort the
    families they left behind.
        The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world; it is God's
    gift to humanity. Americans are blessed to have men and women like you
    protecting us, and defending the cause of freedom across the world. May
    God bless you, and may He watch over our country.

                                                              George W. Bush

     Note: This message was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on December 25 and follows the text as printed in the December
    24 edition of USA Today. An original was not available for verification
    of the content of this message.