President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama released their annual holiday greetings on Wednesday, highlighting those troops who may be at last home for the holidays now that the United States' overseas conflicts are drawing down, and praising volunteering as an enactment of Jesus' values.
'For many of our troops and newest veterans, this might be the first time in years that they've been with their family on Christmas,' Obama said. 'In fact, with the Iraq War over and the transition in Afghanistan, fewer of our men and women in uniform are deployed in harm's way than at anytime in the last decade.'
'With more of our troops back here at home, now it's our turn to serve,' Michelle Obama said, citing her Joining Forces initiative. 'It's our turn to show gratitude for military families who have given us so much.'
Obama also praised those who are volunteering during the holiday season.
'That service is a chance to celebrate the birth of Christ and live out what he taught us,' Obama said. 'For all of us as Americans, regardless of our faith, those our values that can drive us to be better parents and friends, better neighbors, and better citizens.'
Watch the full greeting below, via the White House:
[ Image via screengrab]
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Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 - Rating: 4.5
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