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.

[Kathy in Alaska]

My goodness, yorkie....a busy time of year for you and your family. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all. Prayers for your safe travel.

[Tamar1973]

I'll be posting my latke recipe on youtube in the next day or so. Please check for it and let me know what you think. Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

[Allegra]

Mornin', y'all.

And a Happy Hannukah to all of our Jewish members.

[yorkie]

Good night friends!
May you all have wonderful, sweet, peaceful dreams, tonight!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the prayer for our troops.

[yorkie]

Allegra, big hugs to you (((((((((((Allegra)))))))))))) and your sis! Merry Christmas to you, and prayers for you also!

[Cindy]

Good night Yorkie.
Rest well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Allegra.....are you “home”? How is your weather? Lots of gorebull warming all over the lower 48. Lots of flights cancelled. Not good! They will never catch up at this time of year. I NEVER travel at this time of year.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for Amazing Grace.....Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, Canedawg, and good Lord’s Day to you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day to you, TS....in the absence of your camera, thank you for the visual you “painted”. And it sounds like you survived the escalator.

Oh...congratulations on your wins at Mario Kart.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day, Sand.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, lauren, for the wonderful selection of Christmas music.

[Allegra]

Big **hug** back atcha, {{{{{{yorkie!}}}}}}

I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

[Allegra]

Hi Kathy! Yes, I am back "home" in the sandbox trying to conquer the jet-lag. Got to work at 6:30 this morning because my eyes popped open around 4 a.m. and just weren't going to close again. LOL

I usually do travel at Christmas, but it looks like I got out just ahead of things this year. We're hearing about all the gorebull warming back home. It sounds crazy!

How are things in Alaska? Weather normal?

How is the moose family?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day to you, higgmeister.

[Kathy in Alaska]

It’s about 6 degrees right now...we’ve been promised some snow for 2 days, but not a flake yet. And I haven’t seen any moose for a couple days.

You did get out of “town” just in time. Both the northeast and northwest coasts are getting “pounded” with snow. Alaska has had to cancel all sorts of flight due to the horrible weather in Seattle, and Lady Jag, somewhere in the vicinity of Boston, is over a foot of new snow and a bunch more on the way.

Did you get to meet up with philly in Kuwait?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day, Perky.....”we”? Is hubby home again?

What a beautiful pictorial story. I love the red, white, and blue “barn” with the Support Our Troops ribbon.

BTW...your camera is doing a very nice job of taking cool pictures.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day, Cindy. Thanks for the links.

Are you in the “storm” area?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Tamar.