speeches

Schloss Biebrich, Wiesbaden

Minister-President and Mrs. Koch,
Gen. Diepenhorst,
Honored guests,

Christmas is fast approaching, and I know many of you are busy trying to finish up your holiday shopping. My family and I are looking forward to our first Christmas in Germany. Growing up in a diplomatic family, we celebrated Christmas in many lands – from Saudi Arabia to Ceylon, from Lebanon to Laos. In Frankfurt, we will visit a Weihnachtsmarkt and attend church services on Christmas Eve.

Christmas is a time to rejoice, and to give thanks for the blessings of the season and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year. We also remember that we have a responsibility to help those in need. America is a compassionate and generous land. And acts of kindness toward others embody the spirit of the season.

During the holiday season and throughout the year, we remember you with pride: the men and women of our Armed Forces, who keep our nation safe and defend freedom around the world. In Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, you are protecting our liberty by securing liberty for others. Our German friends, some of whom are with us here today, stand shoulder to shoulder with us in Afghanistan. We're also grateful to your families, both German and American. Staying behind when a family member goes to war is a heavy burden -- and it's particularly hard at Christmas.

We also remember the heroic men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom. The sacrifices of these brave troops have rescued millions from lives of tyranny and sorrow, and made America more secure. We will always cherish the memory of each of our fallen servicemen and women, and count it a privilege to be citizens of the country they served.

America's military men and women stand for freedom -- and you serve the cause of peace. You and your families are making many sacrifices for our nation, and for that, all Americans are deeply grateful.

As we approach Christmas in this time of war, we pray for freedom, and justice, and peace on Earth.