National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2008 VIDEO

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we mourn the more than 2,400 Americans whose lives were lost in the surprise attack on our homeland that changed the course of history. Their service and sacrifice and the service and sacrifice of all our World War II veterans will be forever honored on this day by the citizens of a free and grateful Nation.

On December 7, 1941, the enemy nearly destroyed our Pacific Fleet, and the United States was forced into a long and terrible war. A generation of Americans stepped forward to fight for our country. Their message to America's enemies was clear: If you attack this country and harm our people, there is no corner of the Earth remote enough to protect you from the reach of our Nation's Armed Forces.

Following the war the United States worked to make our most bitter enemies into our closest friends through the transformative power of freedom. The joys of liberty are often secured by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than self. To honor and recognize the sacrifice of our Armed Forces, I have designated nine sites as the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. This monument will preserve our history and help share this heritage with future generations. On this anniversary, we honor the heroes who risked and lost their lives for our security and freedom. Their selfless dedication exemplifies the great character of America and continues to inspire our Nation.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2008, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH # # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 5, 2008

Audio: The audio is a Public Domain recording of the The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum Audio Archive From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Images: All of The images in this collection are Public Domain. Credit, NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER and Navy NewsStand - Eye on the Fleet.

Video: Flag videos are from YouTube - Broadcast Yourself courtesy users lilly7301 and gully42

For complete documentation of each image follow links below.

Navy NewsStand - Eye on the Fleet

071204-N-9758L-067 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 6, 2007) Seaman Apprentice Chaz Chesnek, assigned to Naval Station (NAVSTA)

070911-N-4965F-001 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Sept. 11, 2007) Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER

Pearl Harbor Raid, 7 December 1941;

Pearl Harbor in 1940-1941;

Japanese Forces in the Pearl Harbor Attack;

Overall Views of the Pearl Harbor Attack;

"Battleship Row" during the Pearl Harbor Attack;

Attacks off the West Side of Ford Island;

Attacks in the Navy Yard Area;

Attacks on Airfields and Aerial Combat;

Tags: President Bush and White House and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Pear Harbor Remembered and Imperial Japanese Navy or aircraft carriers

President and Mrs. Bush Attend 2008 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony VIDEO

President and Mrs. Bush Attend 2008 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony FULL STREAMING VIDEO Ellipse Holidays at the White House 2008 5:55 P.M. EST.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, thank you for the introduction and thank you for the warm welcome. Laura and I are pleased to welcome all of you here for one of Washington's great traditions, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

Santa, thank you for finally showing up. (Laughter.) I know you've come a long way. After all, you do live in the North Pole. You may have heard that Laura and I are going to have plenty of time next year. (Laughter.) So we look forward to returning the favor. The problem is we're going to be short on an airplane. (Laughter.) Have you got an extra sleigh? (Laughter.)

I welcome the members of my Cabinet; the administration and their families; members of Congress and their families; Vin Cipolla; Mary Bomar, the Director of the National Park Service -- (applause) -- Peggy O'Dell, Regional Director, National Capital Region of the National Park Service. (Applause.) And all the National Park Service employees, we thank you for your dedication and work. (Applause.)

Laura and I are thrilled to be here with our dear friend, Reverend Luis León. All the entertainers -- thank you for being here. You were fabulous tonight. We appreciate your performance. (Applause.) We especially welcome the folks from Enterprise, Alabama. (Applause.) And we thank the School Choir for showing the determination and grit of some really fine people.

We want to thank all the volunteers who designed and created the ornaments for our state trees.

Today we celebrate the 85th anniversary of the National Christmas Tree lighting. In times of calm, and in times of challenge, Americans have gathered for this ceremony. The simple story we remember during the season speaks to every generation. It is the story of a humble birth in a quiet town, and the story of one life that changed millions more. For two millennia, the story of Christmas has brought joy to families, comfort to communities, and hope to hearts around the world.

During Christmas we celebrate the blessings of the season, and the blessings that surround us every day. And the greatest of these blessings is freedom -- the Almighty's gift to every man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth. (Applause.)

And today, we give thanks to the brave men and women who protect the American people by defending freedom around the world. (Applause.) Over the past eight years, my greatest honor as President has been serving as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military ever known. (Applause.)

Our men and women in uniform have stepped forward to defend our nation during a time of war. They serve with courage and with honor, and they've made incredible sacrifices. Many of them will spend this Christmas stationed in distant lands, far from the families they love. Yet they're never far from our thoughts, and they are always in our prayers. America honors their service, and we are grateful to the sacrifice of the families who stand by their side. (Applause.)

Some of those families are with us tonight, and Laura and I are pleased to be joined by Kayleigh Kepler and Lindsey Van Horn. Lindsey's dad is in Baghdad. Kayleigh's dad will deploy to Iraq next year. Kayleigh and Lindsey, America is safer because of your dads, and moms and dads across America who have stepped forward to defend our country.

And now I'm going to ask Kayleigh and Lindsey to get up here with Laura -- to please come up with Laura -- (laughter) -- and help us light this beautiful tree.

Everybody join -- five, four, three, two, one! (Applause.)

END 6:00 p.m. EST For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 4, 2008

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