[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 49 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Pages 2869-2870]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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The President's Radio Address

November 27, 2004

    Good morning. As Americans gather to celebrate this week, we show 
our gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. We are grateful for 
our friends and families who fill our lives with purpose and love. We're 
grateful for our beautiful country and for the prosperity we enjoy. 
We're grateful for the chance to live, work, and worship in freedom. And 
in this Thanksgiving week, we offer thanks and praise to the provider of 
all these gifts, Almighty God.
    We also recognize our duty to share our blessings with the least 
among us. Throughout the holiday season, schools, churches, synagogues, 
and other generous organizations gather food and clothing for their 
neighbors in need. Many young people give part of their holiday to 
volunteer at homeless shelters or food pantries. On Thanksgiving and on 
every day of the year, America is a more hopeful nation because of the 
volunteers who serve the weak and the vulnerable.
    The Thanksgiving tradition of compassion and humility dates back to 
the earliest days of our society. And through the years, our deepest 
gratitude has often been inspired by the most difficult times. Almost 
four centuries ago, the pilgrims set aside time to thank God after 
suffering through a bitter winter. George Washington held Thanksgiving 
during a trying stay at Valley Forge. And President Lincoln revived the 
Thanksgiving tradition in the midst of a civil war.
    The past year has brought many challenges to our Nation, and 
Americans have met every one with energy, optimism, and faith. After 
lifting our economy from a recession, manufacturers and entrepreneurs 
are creating jobs again. Volunteers from across the country came 
together to help hurricane victims rebuild. And when the children of 
Beslan, Russia, suffered a brutal terrorist attack, the world saw 
America's generous heart in an outpouring of compassion and relief.
    The greatest challenges of our time have come to the men and women 
who protect our Nation. We're fortunate to have dedicated firefighters 
and police officers to keep our streets safe. We're grateful for the 
homeland security and intelligence personnel who spend long hours on 
faithful watch. And we give thanks to the men and women of our military 
who are serving with courage and skill and making our entire Nation 
proud.
    Like generations before them, today's Armed Forces have liberated 
captive peoples and shown compassion for the suffering and delivered 
hope to the oppressed. In the past year, they have fought the terrorists 
abroad so that we do not have to face those enemies here at home. 
They've captured a brutal dictator, aided last month's historic election 
in Afghanistan, and helped set Iraq on the path to democracy.
    Our progress in the war on terror has made our country safer, yet it 
has also brought new burdens to our military families. Many service men 
and women have endured long deployments and painful separations from 
home. Families have faced the challenge of raising children while 
praying for a loved one's safe return. America is grateful to all our 
military families, and the families mourning a terrible loss this 
Thanksgiving can know that America will honor their sacrifices forever.
    As Commander in Chief, I've been honored to thank our troops at 
bases around the world, and I've been inspired by the efforts of private 
citizens to express their own gratitude. This month, I met Shauna 
Fleming, a 15-year-old from California who coordinated the mailing of a 
million thank you letters to military personnel. In October, I met Ken 
Porwoll, a World War II veteran who has devoted years of his retirement 
to volunteering at a VA medical center in Minneapolis. And we've seen 
the generosity of

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so many organizations like Give2theTroops, a group started in a basement 
by a mother and son that has sent thousands of care packages to troops 
in the field.
    Thanksgiving reminds us that America's true strength is the 
compassion and decency of our people. I thank all those who volunteer 
this season, and Laura and I wish every American a happy and safe 
Thanksgiving weekend.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 8:30 a.m. on November 26 at the Bush 
Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November 27. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
November 26 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The 
Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of this address.