    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 25, 2006]
    [Pages 2118-2119]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    November 25, 2006

        Good morning. This week, Americans across our Nation gather with
    loved ones to give thanks for the many blessings we share. We're
    grateful for our friends and families, who fill our lives with meaning
    and purpose. We're grateful to live in a land of plenty and during a
    time of great prosperity. And we're grateful to Almighty God for the
    freedom to enjoy all these gifts.
        Every Thanksgiving we remember the story of the Pilgrims who came to
    America in search of a better life and religious freedom. Much has
    changed in the four centuries since these humble settlers landed at
    Plymouth Rock. While they were only a shivering few, we are now a strong
    and growing nation of more than 300 million. And the desire for freedom
    that led the Pilgrims to the New World still guides our Nation today.

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        Americans believe that every person has the right to live, work, and
    worship in freedom. And we're thankful to the men and women of our
    Nation's Armed Forces who risk their lives to protect those rights. This
    Thanksgiving, we are mindful that many of our finest citizens are
    spending the holiday far from their homes and loved ones, and we know
    that their service makes it possible for us to live in freedom.
        On Tuesday, I had the chance to visit our troops and their families
    at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. Our servicemembers there
    have deployed around the world to fight the terrorists in Afghanistan
    and Iraq, conduct important maritime exercises in the Pacific, help
    deliver humanitarian aid to the victims of disaster, and fight drug
    trafficking. I told the men and women at the base that we're grateful
    for their bravery and service and that we will never forget those who
    have made the ultimate sacrifice.
        One American who made the ultimate sacrifice was Marine Corporal
    Jason Dunham. Two-and-a-half years ago in Iraq, Corporal Dunham gave his
    life when he threw himself on top of an enemy grenade and absorbed the
    blast. His selfless act saved the lives of two of his fellow marines, and earlier this
    month, I announced that our Nation will recognize Corporal Dunham with
    our highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor.
        Corporal Dunham's friends remember him as the kind of guy who would
    do anything for you, his superiors remember him as a model marine, and a
    grateful Nation will forever remember him as one of America's most
    valiant heroes. This Thanksgiving, our thoughts and prayers are with his
    family and with all military families, especially those mourning the
    loss of a loved one.
        During this holiday season, we also think of those still working to
    recover from the devastating hurricanes that struck our Nation last
    year. We are grateful to the armies of compassion who rallied to bring
    food, water, and hope to those who had lost everything, and we renew our
    commitment to help those who are still suffering and to rebuild our
    Nation's gulf coast.
        Thanksgiving reminds us that the true strength of our Nation is the
    compassion and decency of our people. And as we count our blessings, we
    remember that those blessings are meant to be shared. I encourage all
    Americans to look for a way to help those in need--from tutoring a child
    to working in a shelter to giving a hand to a neighbor. I thank all
    those Americans who volunteer this season, and Laura and I wish every American a safe and happy holiday.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 11:20 a.m. on November 22 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November
    25. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on November 24 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address.