[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 27 (Monday, July 11, 2005)]
[Pages 1115-1116]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

July 2, 2005

    Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a happy Fourth of July 
weekend. I look forward to celebrating Independence Day with the people 
of Morgantown, West Virginia. On the Fourth of July, we remember the 
vision and conviction of America's Founders. We remember the ideals of 
liberty that led men from 13 colonies to gather in Philadelphia and pen 
a declaration of self-evident truths. And we remember the extraordinary 
personal courage that made their efforts a success. Doctor Benjamin Rush 
said that signing the Declaration of Independence was ``like signing 
your own death warrant.'' He signed it anyway--right above his fellow 
Pennsylvania delegate, Benjamin Franklin.
    On Independence Day, we are also mindful that the promises of the 
Declaration have been secured by the service and sacrifice of every 
generation. America's first defenders were mostly farmers, artisans, and 
shopkeepers who waged a desperate fight for independence. Our Union was 
preserved through the costly battles of the Civil War, including one at 
Vicksburg that ended on Independence Day, 1863. And we live in freedom 
because Americans prevailed in the hard-fought struggles of the 20th 
century from the Marne and Normandy to Iwo Jima and Inchon Bay. America 
is home to 25 million military veterans, and we will always be grateful 
for their unselfish courage.
    Today, a new generation of Americans is defending our freedom 
against determined enemies. At posts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around 
the world, our men and women in uniform are taking the fight to the 
terrorists overseas, so that we do not have to face the terrorists here 
at home. And by freeing millions from oppression, our Armed Forces are 
redeeming a universal principle of the Declaration that all are created 
equal, and all are meant to be free. Those who serve today are taking 
their rightful place among the greatest generations that have worn our 
Nation's uniform.
    The burden of war falls especially hard on military families, and I 
thank them for the support they give our troops in their vital work. 
Some of America's finest men and women have given their lives in the war 
on terror, and we remember them on Independence Day. We pray for the 
families who have lost a loved one in freedom's cause. And we know that 
the best way to honor the lives that have been given in this struggle is 
to complete the mission, so we will stay in the fight until the fight is 
won.
    In this time of testing, all our troops and their families can know 
that the American people are behind them. On this Fourth of July 
weekend, I ask every American to find a way to thank men and women 
defending our freedom by flying the flag, sending letters to our troops 
in the field, and helping the military family down the street. The 
Department of Defense has set up a web site, americasupportsyou.mil. You 
can go there to learn about private efforts in your own community. At 
this time when we celebrate our freedom, we will stand with the men and 
women who defend us all.
     In the summer of 1776, John Adams called the American Revolution 
``the most complete, unexpected, and remarkable of any in the history of 
nations.'' And 229 years later, history has proved him right. The Fourth 
of July is a day to be proud of our heritage as freedom's home and 
defender. It is a day to be confident in the future, because the spirit 
of our Founders still shapes the conscience of our country. Above all, 
it is a day to give thanks to God for His many blessings on America and 
for the privilege to call ourselves citizens of this special land. I 
hope all Americans enjoy a memorable and safe Independence Day 
celebration.
     Thank you for listening.

[[Page 1116]]

Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on July 1 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 2. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
July 1 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of 
the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this 
address.