[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 52 (Monday, December 29, 2003)]
[Page 1839]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.