FReeper Canteen ~ Presidential 2008 Military Message for Hanukkah ~ Dec 21 2008

The Canteen Crew ^ | December 20, 2008 | Serving the Best Troops and Vets in the WORLD!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Presidential Message

The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift -- freedom.

This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory -- the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations -- and one of America's closest friends.

This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way. Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times. As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman's place in American history, but the President's courageous decision to recognize the new state of Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history. Those words filled the President's eyes with uncharacteristic tears. And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.

And so tonight I'm deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men -- Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer -- to light the Truman menorah together.

Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead.
Thank you

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav, ve-tzivanu le-hadlik ner shel Hanukah.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by his commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukah.

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam she-asa nisim la-avotenu ba-yamim ha-hem ba-zeman ha-zeh.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam she-hecheyanu, ve-kiyemanu, ve-higiyanu la-zeman ha-zeh.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

[mylife]

I thought the pic was old.

“The trees look just like that right now, however.
I drove home in near white out conditions..”

At least you are home now.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Yeah..
I had to pry my fingers off the steering wheel..
(Had a death grip on it)
LOL

[mylife]

Moxie needs chains!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
Moxie did fine!
I had chains on a different car once..
One of em came loose and stoved the wheel well all to hell..
I’m leery of them now.

[mylife]

I had chains on a different car once.. One of em came loose and stoved the wheel well all to hell..

You aint supposed to drive 80 with them!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
I KNEW you were gonna say something like that..
*sigh*

[mylife]

Sorry!

[Kirkwood]

I had a taste for homemade donuts today after looking at the picture and stopped off at the grocery store to buy some donut mix. All sold out! What the heck? What’s going on? I thought about making some from scratch, but I caved in and got a couple at the bakery. Nothing beats a donut with some coffee, but I missed the home-made ones like my mom used to make. I think I might make some from scratch for my family over Christmas and we can talk about stories of when we were little and helping in the kitchen.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
*HUG*
S’okay!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Hiya Doc!
Sounds like something Taz would do!

[mylife]

Did you pick up dinah on the way home?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

No..
Once I got started, I wasn’t stoppin’!
Got some good leftovers to choose from..
Either leftover pot roast or shrimp amd sausage Jambayla.
Dat sound okay?
;0)

[Kirkwood]

In a way it is good I didn’t do it. I would have made a dozen donuts and then had to eat them all myself. Then I would have felt guilty. LOL!

[mylife]

I was gonna say... “gee. now you have to cook too!”

Both those sound good. Sounds like you’re all set.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
Ah..
Feel guilty AFTER the Holidays!
;0)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Yup!
Got some nice French Brandy for later, too!
Dat’s gonna be nice!
Didja cook something wonderful today?

[mylife]

No cooking for me.
I had a hamburg.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I'm sending help!

[Kirkwood]

Yeah. I share the same philosophy. Somehow I had the strength to avoid the candy aisle!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours, Arrowhead.