Grinder
5 December 2003, 18:00
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2003 - The countdown began with "5," and
four seconds later the 40-foot blue spruce burst forth in
with red, white and green - Christmas at the White House
had officially begun.
President Bush and wife, Laura, greeted hundreds of
children, their families and special guests on the White
House lawn in chilly temperatures to watch the national
Christmas tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 4. The annual event
first began in 1923 with the nation's 30th president,
Calvin Coolidge.
Several service members from Operations Iraqi Freedom and
Enduring Freedom were among those assembled. Many came from
nearby Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where they are
recovering from injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I know your families are glad to have you back," the
president told them. "They're proud of your service, and so
is our country. On behalf of all Americans, welcome home,
and job well done. We also honor all of our fellow
Americans serving far away from home during the holidays.'"
He then reminded the audience that for those serving in the
military, separation from loved ones is especially
difficult this time of year.
"Our people in uniform can know that their families miss
them and love them, that millions are praying for them, and
that America is grateful for the men and women who serve
and defend our country."
Although the president's arrival brought cheers, he may
have been upstaged when the evening's most important guest
-- Santa (this year, actor and former pro NFL player Merlin
Olsen) - arrived.
Bush amused the crowd by comparing his clandestine
Thanksgiving Day visit to troops in Iraq a week earlier to
that of Santa on Christmas Eve. The president acknowledged
that "it's always good to see Santa.
Then he turned his attention to the jolly gent: "I know
you've got a lot of commitments this time of year. We also
know how Santa gets around: He travels in the dark of
night, he arrives unannounced, and he's gone before you
know he was there.
And in a bull's-eye reference to their respective journeys,
the president said, "Santa, I can assure you, it's a lot
easier on a flying sled than it is on Air Force One."
The president also told the story of why Christmas is
celebrated, and he emphasized that the words of Christmas
have spread a message across generations.
"The poor have heard words of hope, the proud have heard
words of challenge, and the weak and the dying have heard
words of assurance. And mankind has been given a message
first delivered by angels on a shepherd's field: 'Fear
not.'"
The president told the audience that "as we near Christmas
in a time of war, these words bring comfort."
"We don't know all of God's ways, yet the Christmas story
promises that God's purpose is justice, and His plan is
peace."
This year's event included performances by actress Shirley
Jones, opera soprano Twyla Robinson, and the cast of the
Broadway musical "Mamma Mia." Country band Lonestar played
several Christmas tunes, accompanied by the United States
Coast Guard Band.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2003 - The countdown began with "5," and
four seconds later the 40-foot blue spruce burst forth in
with red, white and green - Christmas at the White House
had officially begun.
President Bush and wife, Laura, greeted hundreds of
children, their families and special guests on the White
House lawn in chilly temperatures to watch the national
Christmas tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 4. The annual event
first began in 1923 with the nation's 30th president,
Calvin Coolidge.
Several service members from Operations Iraqi Freedom and
Enduring Freedom were among those assembled. Many came from
nearby Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where they are
recovering from injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I know your families are glad to have you back," the
president told them. "They're proud of your service, and so
is our country. On behalf of all Americans, welcome home,
and job well done. We also honor all of our fellow
Americans serving far away from home during the holidays.'"
He then reminded the audience that for those serving in the
military, separation from loved ones is especially
difficult this time of year.
"Our people in uniform can know that their families miss
them and love them, that millions are praying for them, and
that America is grateful for the men and women who serve
and defend our country."
Although the president's arrival brought cheers, he may
have been upstaged when the evening's most important guest
-- Santa (this year, actor and former pro NFL player Merlin
Olsen) - arrived.
Bush amused the crowd by comparing his clandestine
Thanksgiving Day visit to troops in Iraq a week earlier to
that of Santa on Christmas Eve. The president acknowledged
that "it's always good to see Santa.
Then he turned his attention to the jolly gent: "I know
you've got a lot of commitments this time of year. We also
know how Santa gets around: He travels in the dark of
night, he arrives unannounced, and he's gone before you
know he was there.
And in a bull's-eye reference to their respective journeys,
the president said, "Santa, I can assure you, it's a lot
easier on a flying sled than it is on Air Force One."
The president also told the story of why Christmas is
celebrated, and he emphasized that the words of Christmas
have spread a message across generations.
"The poor have heard words of hope, the proud have heard
words of challenge, and the weak and the dying have heard
words of assurance. And mankind has been given a message
first delivered by angels on a shepherd's field: 'Fear
not.'"
The president told the audience that "as we near Christmas
in a time of war, these words bring comfort."
"We don't know all of God's ways, yet the Christmas story
promises that God's purpose is justice, and His plan is
peace."
This year's event included performances by actress Shirley
Jones, opera soprano Twyla Robinson, and the cast of the
Broadway musical "Mamma Mia." Country band Lonestar played
several Christmas tunes, accompanied by the United States
Coast Guard Band.