[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.

[[Page 2119]]

    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.