Posted on 11/24/2004 7:23:45 PM PST by GretchenM
The Bush's welcomed King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain to a private visit at Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas, for the afternoon.
Mrs. Cheney participated in topping the national Christmas tree in DC.
President Bush ordered an internal review into whether the Defense Department should run covert paramilitary operations traditionally mounted by the CIA, administration officials said November 23, 2004. The presidential directive, signed by Bush last week, asks the CIA and the Departments of State, Defense, and Justice to report back to him in 90 days on "whether or not the paramilitary operations, currently under the control of the CIA, should be transferred to the Department of Defense."
Stephen Friedman, who heads the National Economic Council, is expected to leave the job before the end of the year.
Bush plans to travel to Canada next week.
More photos are available from the APEC summit.
Enjoy your evening on the beach at Sanity Island!
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
All across America, we gather this week with the people we love to give thanks to God for the blessings in our lives. We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for our families and friends, and grateful for the many gifts of America. On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come from the Almighty God.
Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated a harvest feast to thank God after suffering through a brutal winter. President George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and President Lincoln revived the tradition during the Civil War, asking Americans to give thanks with "one heart and one voice." Since then, in times of war and in times of peace, Americans have gathered with family and friends and given thanks to God for our blessings.
Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings with those who are less fortunate. Americans this week will gather food and clothing for neighbors in need. Many young people will give part of their holiday to volunteer at homeless shelters and food pantries. On Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of the American people. By seeking out those who are hurting and by lending a hand, Americans touch the lives of their fellow citizens and help make our Nation and the world a better place.
This Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to our dedicated firefighters and police officers who help keep our homeland safe. We are grateful to the homeland security and intelligence personnel who spend long hours on faithful watch. And we give thanks for the Americans in our Armed Forces who are serving around the world to secure our country and advance the cause of freedom. These brave men and women make our entire Nation proud, and we thank them and their families for their sacrifice.
On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for His blessings and ask Him to continue to guide and watch over our Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2004, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship to reinforce the ties of family and community and to express gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy.
King Juan Carlos and W
Please wait to post photos till the all clear.
Pre-Thanksgiving greetings to all!
Friedman on the day he was appointed
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Laura talks with Chile's Luisa Duran de Lagos or Lagros, depending on where one finds the spelling
Yippeeeee!!!
TC
Rack so far photos oh Grethean you could tell King and Queen really enjoy being pick up in Dubya Ford truck they used to horses and carriage LOL!
No man deserves this more!
It's really fun that W is driving a king and queen in his pick-up truck
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends on the dose! One of the things I am thankful for is this thread celebrating our wonderful first family. Thanks to all of you who post it, and all of you who participate!
Happy Thanksgiving Eve!
Same to you!
I need to get to bed!
Lots of cooking tomorrow, starting early!
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the effort of rising, thank you, Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord for the food we have. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life and for the many talents you've given me for this journey. Bless me with faith, fortitude and discipline, that my gifts from You will be utilized for good, to be the best person I can be, to extend a helping hand to those in need, and to humbly and gratefully accept a hand when I have need.
WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION FOR YOU AND YOURS
Come think of it Dubya better driver than LBJ who used go on dirty road at 80mph you have hold on to dear LIFE
While looking for his tennis ball, Barney the SCOTTISH Terrier, stops in disbelief upon spotting the Lochness Monster in a drainage ditch on the South Lawn. 
That's all from me for now. Hope everyone enjoys both the pics and Thanksgiving!
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