Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family ... Berke Breathed, Bloom Country Babylon
For Immediate Release December 23, 2004 Presidential Christmas Message, 2004
For 2,000 years, Christmas has proclaimed a message of hope: the patient hope of men and women across centuries who listened to the words of prophets and lived in joyful expectation; the hope of Mary, who welcomed God's plan with great faith; and the hope of wise men, who set out on a long journey guided only by a slender promise traced in the stars. Christmas reminds us that the grandest purposes of God can be found in the humblest places. And it gives us hope that all the love and gifts that come to us in this life are the signs and symbols of an even greater love and gift that came on a holy night.
The Christmas season fills our hearts with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. With those blessings comes a responsibility to reach out to others. Many of our fellow Americans still suffer from the effects of illness or poverty. Others fight cruel addictions, cope with division in their families, or grieve the loss of a loved one. Christmastime reminds each of us that we have a duty to love our neighbor just as we would like to be loved ourselves. By volunteering our time and talents where they are needed most, we help heal the sick, comfort those who suffer, and bring hope to those who despair.
During the holidays, we also keep in our thoughts and prayers the men and women of our Armed Forces -- especially those far from home, separated from family and friends by the call of duty. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, these courageous Americans are fighting the enemies of freedom and protecting our country from danger. By bringing liberty to the oppressed, our troops are defending the freedom and security of us all. They and their families are making many sacrifices for our Nation, and all Americans are deeply grateful.
Laura joins me in wishing all Americans a Merry Christmas.
GEORGE W. BUSH ###
Friday, December 24, 2004
Presidential Christmas Message, 2004
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Secretary Rumsfeld Holiday Visit to Iraq
Rumsfeld Cheers U.S. Troops During Surprise Iraq Visit
Source: Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Dec. 24, 2004 – During a surprise trip to Iraq Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today shared Christmas-Eve cheer with U.S. troops serving here and in the cities of Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah.
Rumsfeld shared Christmas-Eve cheer with U.S. troops serving in Baghdad and in the cities of Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah. .
The trip had been planned for some time, Rumsfeld told traveling press members on his C-17 plane over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Iraq. The secretary noted he'd not only meet with U.S. troops during the trip, but would also discuss the current military situation in Iraq with senior Iraqi and U.S. leaders.
Rumsfeld also noted that progress of the Iraqi security forces would be discussed, as well as preparations for nationwide Iraqi elections slated for January.
"This is a tough situation in Iraq," Rumsfeld said to the Marines in Fallujah. Yet, he predicted, the Marines and other U.S. service members will be proud of their accomplishments after Iraqis take control of their destiny and become a free, democratic nation.
Afterward, Rumsfeld's helicopter took him to Baghdad, where he attended a meeting with Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the U.S. commander of multinational forces in Iraq, and Metz. The secretary also met with interim Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawar.
The secretary then met with wounded troops in Baghdad at the 31st Combat Surgical Hospital. Later, he flew north of Baghdad to visit with troops at Camp Victory North.
Rumsfeld told reporters during the flight to Iraq that Iraqis who'd taken positions in the interim government and security forces had "guts," given the instances of apparent insurgent intimidation of such officials in some parts of the country.
And any attempted intimidation of law-abiding Iraqis, Rumsfeld pointed out, "is a factor that has to be considered in watching how this thing tips."
Donald H. Rumsfeld | Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (center) meets with Army Pfc. Anthony Abas (right) and Spc. Donald Arminio (left) from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-082
| Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (left) shares a laugh with Army Capts. Duane Limpert (2nd from left) and Andy Allen (right) of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. | 
Donald H. Rumsfeld 2 |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-092
Donald H. Rumsfeld 3 | Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld talks to soldiers of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, in Tikrit, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-148
| Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld talks to soldiers of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, in Tikrit, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. | 
Donald H. Rumsfeld 4 |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-198
Donald H. Rumsfeld 5 | Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld greets soldiers from the Army's 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, in Tikrit, Iraq, on Dec. 24. 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-215
| Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (center) meets with Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force while at the Camp Fallujah Dining Facility in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. | 
Donald H. Rumsfeld 6 |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-252
Rumsfeld 7 | Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld shares a meal with Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at the Camp Fallujah Dining Facility in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-323
| Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld meets Iraqi Interim Government President Ghazi Al-Yawar at the Iraqi Interim Government Building in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. | 
Rumsfeld 8 |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-382
Rumsfeld 9 | Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld meets with soldiers from the 67th Combat Surgical Hospital at Mosul Airfield, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-013
| Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld shakes hands with a soldier from the Army's 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season. | 
Rumsfeld 10 |
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-038
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