[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 47 (Monday, December 1, 2008)]
[Pages 1461-1462]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
 The President's Radio Address

 November 26, 2008

     Good morning. This week, Americans gather with loved ones to 
celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday season is a time of fellowship and 
peace. And it is a time to give thanks for our many blessings.
     During this holiday season, we give thanks for generations of 
Americans who overcame hardships to create and sustain a free nation. 
When the Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving nearly four 
centuries ago, they had already suffered through a harsh and bitter 
winter. But they were willing to endure that adversity to live in a land 
where they could worship the Almighty without persecution. When 
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 
1863, the United States was in the midst of a terrible civil war. But in 
that hour of trial

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he gave thanks, because he believed America would weather the storm and 
emerge into a new era of liberty.
     During this holiday season, we give thanks for those who defend our 
freedom. America's men and women in uniform deserve our highest respect, 
and so do the families who love and support them. Lately, I have been 
asked what I will miss about the Presidency. And my answer is that I 
will miss being the Commander in Chief of these brave warriors. In this 
special time of year, when many of them are serving in distant lands, 
they are in the thoughts and prayers of all Americans.
     During this holiday season, we give thanks for the kindness of 
citizens throughout our Nation. It is a testament to the goodness of our 
people that on Thanksgiving millions of Americans reach out to those who 
have little. The true spirit of the holidays can be seen in the generous 
volunteers who bring comfort to the poor and the sick and the elderly. 
These men and women are selfless members of our Nation's armies of 
compassion, and they make our country a better place, one heart and one 
soul at a time.
     Finally, I have a special note of thanks to the American people. On 
this my last Thanksgiving as your President, I am thankful for the good 
will, kind words, and heartfelt prayers that so many of you have offered 
me during the past 8 years. I have been blessed to represent such 
decent, brave, and caring people. For that I will always be grateful, 
and I will always be honored.
     Thank you for listening.

  Note:  The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on November 26 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November 
29. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 26. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of this address.