    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 29, 2003]
    [Pages 1643-1644]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    November 29, 2003

        Good morning. On Thursday, I was honored to travel to Iraq to spend
    Thanksgiving with some of the finest men and women serving in our
    military.
        My message to the troops was clear: Your country is thankful for
    your service; we are proud of you; and America stands with you in all
    that you are doing to defend America. I'm pleased to report back from
    the

    [[Page 1644]]

    frontlines that our troops are strong. Morale is high, and our military
    is confident we will prevail.
        Many members of our Armed Forces, Guard, and Reserve observed
    Thanksgiving in places far from home. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and
    elsewhere, our military is confronting the terrorist enemy so we don't
    meet that enemy in our own country. They're serving the cause of
    freedom. They're helping millions of people in newly liberated countries
    to build lives of dignity and hope. They are protecting the lives and
    security of the American people. All of us can be grateful to live in a
    country that has produced such brave men and women who stand between us
    and the dangers of the world.
        This holiday weekend is also a time when many proud military
    families are also feeling separation and worry. Long deployments in
    dangerous places have added hardships in military communities across the
    country. Many parents are dealing with the burdens of raising families
    while praying for the safe return of a loved one. Our whole Nation
    respects and appreciates the commitment and sacrifice of our military
    families.
        Americans are also thinking of the military families that must face
    this holiday with sorrow of recent loss. It is the nature of terrorism
    that a small number of people can inflict such terrible grief. Every
    person who dies in the line of duty commands the special gratitude of
    the American people. And the military families that mourn can know this:
    Our Nation will not forget their loved ones and the sacrifice they made
    to protect us all.
        The courage of our soldiers and their families show the spirit of
    this country in great adversity. And many citizens are showing their
    appreciation by helping military families here at home. Members of the
    VFW have started an Adopt-A-Unit program, so veterans and their families
    can support military units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Volunteers from a
    group called Rebuilding Together have repaired homes for military
    families while their spouses are deployed.
        Citizens interested in finding volunteer opportunities to support
    our military should visit the USA Freedom Corps web site at
    usafreedomcorps.gov.
        Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to every member of the United
    States military and to their families. It was a privilege to offer that
    gratitude in person to some of our troops serving in Iraq. May God bless
    them all, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.
        Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:55 a.m. on November 28 at the Bush
    Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November 29. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    November 28 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.