Bush Dedicates Tree Lighting to Troops

FOXNews.com ^ | 2 December 2005

[Aussie Dasher]

WASHINGTON — For the fifth year in a row, President Bush on Thursday dedicated the lighting of the National Christmas tree to U.S. troops risking their lives far from home and loved ones.

"We ask for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas. Their families miss them, hold a seat open for them and pray for their safe return," Bush said. "Many of them are serving in distant lands tonight, but they are close to our hearts."

A moment later, the president and his wife, Laura, were aided by three local girls as they flicked the switch that illuminated the dazzling white lights and snowflakes that adorn the live, 40-foot Colorado blue spruce that stands permanently on the Ellipse just south of the White House.

Jackie, Melissa, and Jenna Kantor of nearby Bethesda, Md., were chosen to assist the president because they started a program called Project Backpack that assembles bags stuffed with school supplies for Gulf Coast children affected by Hurricane Katrina.

[Aussie Dasher]

God bless all the troops fighting for freedom everywhere. May they have a very happy Christmas!

[kitkat]

I am so delighted to know that the White House tree is a CHRISTMAS tree, and that Hastert has named the House of Reps' tree a CHRISTMAS tree.

[ohioWfan]

This was a BEAUTIFUL ceremony, and the President was touched by emotion when he dedicated the occasion to the troops.

Praise God for a President who knows the CHRIST in CHRISTmas.

[doug from upland]

HOW HASTERT SAVED THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE

[vigilante2]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR TROOPS

[Spirited]

"We ask for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas. Their families miss them, hold a seat open for them and pray for their safe return," Bush said. "Many of them are serving in distant lands tonight, but they are close to our hearts"


AMEN.

[Gucho]

Bump!



Dec. 1: The National Christmas Tree is lit up in D.C.

[GloriaJane]

"Merry Christmas To Our Troops In Iraq (My Hero's)"

God Bless Our Troops! Merry Christmas to them, our President and his Beautiful First Lady. And God Bless Mr. Hastert for saving Christmas for all of us!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

[anonymoussierra]

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"We ask for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas. Their families miss them, hold a seat open for them and pray for their safe return," Bush said. "Many of them are serving in distant lands tonight, but they are close to our hearts"


AMEN."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



AMEN ALL GOOD PERSONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be strong America!!!!! Good G-D will help you. Thank you all

[anonymoussierra]

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR TROOPS" AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!!!

[Peach]

May God richly bless all of our beloved troops and their families. We couldn't be more proud of them.

[anonymoussierra]

"Praise God for a President who knows the CHRIST in CHRISTmas." YES!!!!! Thank you all and I will write this: Marry Christmas strong persons of United States of America; Marry Christmas America!!!!!

[ohioWfan]

And MERRY CHRISTMAS to the GOOD, STRONG people of POLAND!

[LucyJo]

"God bless all the troops fighting for freedom everywhere. May they have a very happy Christmas!"

====

AMEN! God Bless! Merry Christmas!

And...

[Gucho]

Santa Claus, arrives on stage to participate in the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington. President Bush and his wife, Laura, participated in the event by making a few remarks and lighting the National Christmas Tree. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)


The National Christmas Tree is lit in front of the White House during the 2005 Christmas Pageant of Peace in Washington December 1, 2005. (REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)


U.S. President George W. Bush greets Santa Claus, played by actor and former athlete Merlin Olsen, at the end of the Christmas Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse in front of the White House in Washington December 1, 2005. Bush briefly addressed the crowd before leading in the lighting of the National Christmas tree. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)


Final preparations are made for the National Christmas Tree and the grounds of the Elipse near the White House for the Pageant of Peace and the lighting of the tree by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)


Laura, along with, right to left, sisters Jenna, 8, Melissa, 11, and Jackie Kantor, 14, participate in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree during the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

[blackie]

Thank you Sara!

God Bless our President, our troops and our Country ~ Bump!