[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 27 (Monday, July 10, 2006)]
[Pages 1259-1260]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

July 1, 2006

    Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a safe and happy Fourth 
of July weekend. I'm looking forward to spending Independence Day with 
members of our Armed Forces and their families at Fort Bragg, North 
Carolina. These brave men and women risk their lives to defend the 
ideals of our founding generation, and I will have the honor of thanking 
many of them personally for their service in freedom's cause.
    In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's 
Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the 
great anniversary festival. He wrote that ``this anniversary should be 
commemorated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, 
bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, 
from this time forward, forever more.''
    Since then, generations of Americans have done just that. Each year, 
we look forward to the family gatherings and the grand celebrations that 
take place across the Nation on the Fourth of July. And amid the music 
and barbeques and fireworks, we give thanks for our freedom, and we 
honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who have made that freedom 
possible.
    On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our 
Nation's Founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and 
live in freedom. Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the 
lives and achievements of our Founders, and we have learned once again 
that they possessed extraordinary talents as well as ordinary human 
failings, which only makes their accomplishments all the more 
remarkable.

[[Page 1260]]

    For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was 
far from certain. They were certain only of the cause they served--the 
belief that freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The 
strength of their convictions made possible the birth of the free Nation 
in which we are blessed to live.
    On the Fourth of July, we also honor the sacrifices made by each 
American generation to secure the promises of the Declaration of 
Independence. For more than two centuries, from the camps of Valley 
Forge to the mountains of Afghanistan, Americans have served and 
sacrificed for the principles of our founding.
    Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our 
freedom against determined and ruthless enemies. At this hour, the men 
and women of our Armed Forces are facing danger in distant places, 
carrying out their missions with all the skill and honor we expect of 
them. And their families are enduring long separations from their loved 
ones with great courage and dignity. Our troops and our military 
families deserve all our support and gratitude, and on this Fourth of 
July weekend, I ask every American to find a way to thank those who 
defend our freedom. To find out about efforts in your community, please 
visit the web site americasupportsyou.mil.
    As we celebrate the Fourth, we also remember that the promises of 
liberty contained in our Declaration apply to all people. Because 
Americans believe that freedom is an unalienable right, we value the 
freedom of every person in every nation. And because we are committed to 
the God-given worth of every life, we strive to promote respect for 
human dignity. Today, all who live in tyranny and all who yearn for 
freedom can know that America stands with them.
    As citizens of this good Nation, we should be proud of our heritage, 
grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future. Two hundred and 
thirty years after America declared its independence, the spirit of '76 
lives on. And our Nation remains proud to carry freedom's torch. We 
still place our trust in the protections of divine providence. We still 
pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to freedom's 
defense. And we still believe in the promise of freedom for all.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 7:45 a.m. on June 30 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 1. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
June 30 but embargoed for release until broadcast. The Office of the 
Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these 
remarks.