    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [July 1, 2006]
    [Pages 1313-1314]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1313]]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 1, 2006

        Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans
    a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend. I'm looking forward to spending
    Independence Day with members of our Armed Forces and their families at
    Fort Bragg, North Carolina. These brave men and women risk their lives
    to defend the ideals of our founding generation, and I will have the
    honor of thanking many of them personally for their service in freedom's
    cause.
        In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's
    Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the
    great anniversary festival. He wrote that ``this anniversary should be
    commemorated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells,
    bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,
    from this time forward, forever more.''
        Since then, generations of Americans have done just that. Each year,
    we look forward to the family gatherings and the grand celebrations that
    take place across the Nation on the Fourth of July. And amid the music
    and barbeques and fireworks, we give thanks for our freedom, and we
    honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who have made that freedom
    possible.
        On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our
    Nation's Founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and
    live in freedom. Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the
    lives and achievements of our Founders, and we have learned once again
    that they possessed extraordinary talents as well as ordinary human
    failings, which only makes their accomplishments all the more
    remarkable.
        For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was
    far from certain. They were certain only of the cause they served, the
    belief that freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The
    strength of their convictions made possible the birth of the free Nation
    in which we are blessed to live.
        On the Fourth of July, we also honor the sacrifices made by each
    American generation to secure the promises of the Declaration of
    Independence. For more than two centuries, from the camps of Valley
    Forge to the mountains of Afghanistan, Americans have served and
    sacrificed for the principles of our founding.
        Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our
    freedom against determined and ruthless enemies. At this hour, the men
    and women of our Armed Forces are facing danger in distant places,
    carrying out their missions with all the skill and honor we expect of
    them. And their families are enduring long separations from their loved
    ones with great courage and dignity. Our troops and our military
    families deserve all our support and gratitude, and on this Fourth of
    July weekend, I ask every American to find a way to thank those who
    defend our freedom. To find out about efforts in your community, please
    visit the web site americasupportsyou.mil.
        As we celebrate the Fourth, we also remember that the promises of
    liberty contained in our Declaration apply to all people. Because
    Americans believe that freedom is an unalienable right, we value the
    freedom of every person in every nation. And because we are committed to
    the God-given worth of every life, we strive to promote respect for
    human dignity. Today, all

    [[Page 1314]]

    who live in tyranny and all who yearn for freedom can know that America
    stands with them.
        As citizens of this good Nation, we should be proud of our heritage,
    grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future. Two hundred and
    thirty years after America declared its independence, the spirit of '76
    lives on. And our Nation remains proud to carry freedom's torch. We
    still place our trust in the protections of divine providence. We still
    pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to freedom's
    defense. And we still believe in the promise of freedom for all.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:45 a.m. on June 30 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 1. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    June 30 but embargoed for release until broadcast. The Office of the
    Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these
    remarks.