First Couple Extends Christmas Greetings to Americans
EmailABC News’ John R. Parkinson reports:
In the Weekly Presidential Address, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama extend Christmas wishes to families throughout the country and express their appreciation to the men and women of the American military and their families for their service.
Click Here to See the Obama’s Christmas Eve Greeting
“To all our men and women in uniform spending the holidays far from home—whether it’s at a base here in the states, a mess hall in Iraq or a remote outpost in Afghanistan, know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers,” President Obama said. “And this holiday season—and every holiday season—know that we are doing everything in our power to make sure you can succeed in your missions and come home safe to your families.”
First Lady Michelle Obama joined the president in encouraging Americans to show support to service members and military families affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Even these strong military families can use a hand, especially during the holidays,” Michelle Obama said. “If you live near a military base, you can reach out through your workplaces, your schools, your churches. There are so many ways to help—with child care, with errands, or by just bringing over a home-cooked meal. Even if you don’t know a military family nearby, your family can still help by donating or volunteering at organizations that support military families.”
While acknowledging the widespread economic hardship being felt in the United States – including high unemployment and the housing crisis – the president took the opportunity to detail some of the things he is grateful for this holiday season.
“There’s still so much to celebrate this Christmas,” President Obama said. “A message of peace and brotherhood that continues to inspire more than 2,000 after Jesus’ birth. The love of family and friends. The bonds of community and country. And the character and courage of our men and women in uniform who are far from home for the holidays, away from their families, risking their lives to protect ours.”
The president also reiterated that he is humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom, and inspired by their selflessness.
“In flag-draped caskets coming home at Dover. In the quiet solitude of Arlington. And after years of multiple tours of duty, as you carry on with our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, your service, your readiness to make that same sacrifice, is an inspiration to us and to every American,” President Obama remarked.
The First Couple encouraged children across the country to make hand-made cards for military personnel stationed overseas, and asked adults to send care packages – particularly pre-paid phone cards.
“Every American can do something to support our troops, even if it’s as simple as just saying thank you,” President Obama said. “Merry Christmas, everybody.”
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This is typical Obama. Completely man-centered. No acknowledgement of God and no sense of dependance on him. This address could have been given by an atheist.
Posted by: Jerry Patterson | December 24, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
That is an outright lie, Mr. Patterson.
“But even in these tough times, there’s still so much to celebrate this Christmas. A message of peace and brotherhood that continues to inspire more than 2,000 after Jesus’ birth.”
If you require an altar call, I suggest you go to a Christmas Eve Service near you.
That said, I don’t begrudge the spots where GIs say hi to family member back home but I am getting rather tired of the attempt to center every single holiday around the military. The military is not and never has been about Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man.
Posted by: jan | December 24, 2009, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
jan, I know what you mean. It bothers me too. On the other hand, most Americans are fairly far removed from the effects of the wars, especially the rich who profit from them without any sacrifice whatsoever. It doesn’t hurt to acknowledge those who are forced to sacrifice.
But it wouldn’t hurt to acknowledge all the non-Americans who have had to sacrifice as well. Particularly those who have been killed so some contractor can continue to get his welfare check from the Pentagon.
Posted by: Flash Override | December 24, 2009, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
I was listening to Young Willie McBride today. Maybe because this is the time of year when you think Peace on Earth, but it struck home that the last real war we experienced on our soil was the Civil War. That’s a long time ago.
Europe on the other hand hasn’t been that lucky and for the time being, at least, isn’t really all that interested in war. Perhaps because they still remember what its like to live in a war zone and now live with the “countless white crosses” and old photograph, torn, tattered, and stained” every day.
Its not that I’m ungrateful. Its that I can’t figure out why every holiday has now contains a statement about being grateful to the military and to some extent at least, a commercial for the military.
Posted by: jan | December 24, 2009, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
“The military is not and never has been about Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man.”
You couldn’t be more wrong! Thanks to the Allies in WWII, there has been peace in western Europe and Japan since 1945.
As for Goodwill to Man, the military spreads good will–at home and abroad–when they are not on the battlefield. There are numerous programs. This time of year the Marine Corps is busy with their Toys for Tots program–giving toys to children whose parents can’t afford to buy gifts since 1947.
Posted by: James Danley | December 24, 2009, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
“Its not that I’m ungrateful. Its that I can’t figure out why every holiday has now contains a statement about being grateful to the military and to some extent at least, a commercial for the military.”
If not for our military we might still be an English colony OR our predominant language could have been German. But the main reason, is when we have troops on the battlefield it is tradition to remember them since they won’t be home for the holidays. Since they are sacrificing so much (months away from family, loss of limbs or lives) is it really asking too much to remember them a few days a year–especially on holidays? Many of us keep them in our prayers every day.
Posted by: James Danley | December 24, 2009, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
The only hope for peace anywhere is a just man — well armed. Thank God for the US Military.
Posted by: tj | December 24, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
“The military is not and never has been about Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man.”
You could not be more wrong.
Merry Christmas, people at ABC!
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 24, 2009, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm
“The military is not and never has been about Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man.”
Well, to a degree that certainly is true – military force was primarily used for conquest and domination for power or resources. Colonialism being a major example. The poorer of the peoples never had much to defend themselves with – the superior technologies generally one out.
Every now and then military might has bee used for the good.
Posted by: tierra | December 24, 2009, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
Have a good holiday everyone. Peace on earth, goodwill towards men, women and children.
Posted by: tierra | December 24, 2009, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
There are some great leaders thru out history who inspired people and lead by example.
barack is certainly not one of them
Posted by: Reality2009 | December 24, 2009, 11:34 pm 11:34 pm
There are some great leaders thru out history who inspired people and lead by example.
barack is certainly not one of them
______________________________
You’d be a fool to judge a leader’s greatness 1/4 of the way through his term.
Posted by: tierra | December 25, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
Merry Christmas to all. Pray for our country and take time to thank God for it.
The peace that Christ came to give us still comes by following His way and not our own ways.
Posted by: Joe White | December 25, 2009, 1:12 am 1:12 am
You don’t appear to have “heard” a word I said Mr. Danley. Under those circumstances you shouldn’t expect me to listen to you. (sound of a door shutting quietly but firmly)
Posted by: jan | December 25, 2009, 5:04 am 5:04 am
U.S. promises unlimited financial assistance to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
(Washington Post)
But even as the administration was making this open-ended financial commitment, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac disclosed that they had received approval from their federal regulator to pay $42 million in Wall Street-style compensation packages to 12 top executives for 2009.
Posted by: tanarg | December 25, 2009, 6:05 am 6:05 am
Jan,
I think I get you — the way I see it is that he doesn’t know how to be a genuine person, he’s not a Christian, and thus had nothing to say, so he falls back on what he thinks will mesmerize the people and make them think he’s a sensitive human being who understands things. He’s not and he doesn’t.
But it’s a mistake to try to make sense out of the words coming out of his mouth. One cannot take them at face value. They’re part of the strategy to manipulate people. Just take away the essence of the man’s soul as it comes to you through his eyes. His words are deceitful; it’s dangerous to put any trust in the idea that he means what he says.
Posted by: tanarg | December 25, 2009, 6:13 am 6:13 am
In spite of the widespread disagreements among us, our diversity, our different points of view and our sometimes wildly varying perspectives the fact is that this is our President and even the most radical among us needs to take pause for a moment and appreciate his reaching out to us and the gesture of good will.
Thank you, Mr. President.
OK – now we got the hallmark moment out of the way, its time to rumble.
(We can thank our founding Fathers for this last part)
Posted by: Lone Star Rules | December 25, 2009, 6:57 am 6:57 am
He is not sincere and genuine in any
way. He can take his fake compassion
and stuff it as far as I am concerned.
Posted by: wis134 | December 25, 2009, 8:00 am 8:00 am
The president seems to believe the birth of Christ is mere symbolism.
Posted by: Ferd | December 25, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
Jan, obviously based on your last comment I must have mis”heard” you. Please enlighten me as to what you really meant when you wrote: “The military is not and never has been about Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man.” or “Its not that I’m ungrateful. Its that I can’t figure out why every holiday has now contains a statement about being grateful to the military…”
To me it was like saying that Firemen are not about rescuing or saving lives. Sure they put out fires, but that isn’t all they do! Firemen risk their lives every day to save individuals from burning buildings. And they also go out and provide food and clothing for the needy.
Marines, airmen, soldiers and sailors do a lot more than just fight during wartime. Sometimes they are deployed for peacekeeping missions. And while many individuals within the military do great humanitarian work on their own time, each branch of the military regularly performs humanitarian work.
Here is an excerpt from an article by Vince Crawley posted on the website America.gov, dated Mar 6, 2007:
“American troops have been undertaking humanitarian and peacekeeping projects for more than a century, from combating yellow fever in Central America to massive humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in the grim aftermath of World War II, to emergency rescue operations following the December 2004 South Asian tsunami and the October 2005 earthquake in and around Pakistan.
“Local humanitarian missions are so common for the U.S. military that they often are viewed as routine occurrences by everyone but the communities involved. In a given year, U.S. troops undertake humanitarian projects in nearly 100 countries.”
NOTE: While I don’t want to leave out Coast guardsmen, their branch of the military has a different function and do not fall under the Department of Defense. Yes! They, too, do humanitary deeds.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
Posted by: James Danley | December 25, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
“Have a good holiday everyone. Peace on earth, goodwill towards men, women and children.”
Merry Christmas! Mele Kalikimaka, LOL!
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 25, 2009, 11:46 am 11:46 am
There are some great leaders thru out history who inspired people and lead by example.
barack is certainly not one of them
______________________________
You’d be a fool to judge a leader’s greatness 1/4 of the way through his term.
Posted by: tierra
——————————-
LOL, thanks for the comic relief tierra. Most people doesn’t need a year to see that hitler, mao, stalin, il, etc are bad.
Not saying barack is evil, just totally unfit to be POTUS.
A fool is the one that keeps thinking barack is other than who he really is.
Posted by: Reality2009 | December 25, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
I sent my own holiday message to my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, serving overseas:
Thank you to our gay and lesbian troops who not only serve this nation selflessly and put their lives on the line, but also risk being tossed out of the military if they ever reveal the truth about who they are.
Thank you for keeping silent while those around you share their longing for wanting to see their loved ones at the holidays. I understand why you have to be careful about expressing that.
Thank you for feeling it important enough to give of your lives to this nation even though you know that you are treated like a second-class citizen, with no federal protection for your loved ones, and with the knowledge that they may be shut out if something happens to you in battle.
Thank you for your bravery and courage in the face of war from without and war from within.
Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy Kwanzaa, and know that there are those of us who will never stop fighting for your right to be treated with basic dignity and respect.
Posted by: leliorisen | December 25, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Merry Christmas to all the right wing whiners on here . . . and I remind you of Santa’s famous words “you better not pout, you better not cry . . .”
I wish you a turn towards contributing more positively towards the endeavour in the New Year – instead of all the whining and mud slinging!
And lay off the first family with your trashy and mean-spirited attacks.
Cheers!
Posted by: tierra | December 25, 2009, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
My point? Why bother with a holiday named Christmas or New Year’s Day. We’ll just call them Military Holiday 12 (Christmas) or Military Holiday 1 (New Years Day), do away with the pretense that the holiday has a reason other than the military to exist and be celebrated, and be done with it. For some of you, it would probably be more honest.
Posted by: jan | December 25, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
Jan, I can only speak for myself! I never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas–the Son of God, Jesus Christ, being born and the plan that our Heavenly Father had for Him; and the plan He has for us. And I love to celebrate with decorations and have family and friends around exchanging gifts; as well as celebrating and worshipping with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Neither do I lose sight of the significances of the other major holidays, nor the joy of decorating and celebrating those with family and friends.
Because I enjoy having my family and friends around to celebrate with me during the major holidays so much, it saddens me that others aren’t as fortunate. Coming from a military family, those soldiers, airmen, sailors, Coast Guardsmen and Marines who are unable to be with their families to celebrate have a special place in my heart.
I would love it if there were no wars. I would love it if groups like al Qaeda didn’t exist. I would love it if there was no evil in the world. But just look at the incident today of the NWA flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, where it is reported that a man claiming an al Qaeda link attempted to blow up the plane carrying 278 passengers. Just look at the incident in North Little Rock, AR last night, where a Salvation Army major was shot and killed in front of his three children. Think of how many individuals lost their lives or were severally injured in the past 24 hours due to drunk drivers. Christmas won’t be the same for any of these individuals or their families.
But as I celebrate Christmas, I take the time to think about those who are less fortunate and aren’t able to celebrate as I am able to do.
Posted by: James Danley | December 25, 2009, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm