President Obama on Saturday expressed gratitude for the nation's military families and extended a "welcome home" for armed services personnel returning from the conflicts in the Middle East.
Joined by first lady Michelle Obama in his regular weekly radio and Internet address, the president, who campaigned in 2008 on pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan, noted in his holiday-themed remarks that that goal is near.
"You see, the war in Iraq is over. The transition in Afghanistan is under way. After a decade of war, our heroes are coming home. And all across America, military families are reuniting," the president said. "So this week let's give thanks for our veterans and their families. And let's say a prayer for all our troops — especially those in Afghanistan — who are spending this holiday overseas, risking their lives to defend the freedoms we hold dear."
The first lady, who doesn't usually join the president for the weekly taped remarks, took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on a project she and vice presidential spouse Jill Biden started, JoiningForces.gov — a website designed to provide resources for military families.
See the president's Christmas greeting here.
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David Eldridge joined The Washington Times in 1999 and over the next seven years helped lead the paper’s coverage of regional politics and government, Sept. 11, and the sniper attacks of 2002. In 2006, he was named managing editor of the paper’s Web site. He came to The Times from the Telegraph in North Platte, Neb., where he served as ...
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