Bush Remembers Sept. 11, War Families in Christmas Message

WASHINGTON —  President Bush said in a Christmas message Tuesday that Americans were thinking of families who lost loved ones, both in the Sept. 11 attacks and on the battlefield in Afghanistan.

“America grieves with you,” Bush said, in a holiday message sent to radio stations across the nation.

“During this time of conflict and challenge, Christmas is a day on which we celebrate hope and joy; when our thoughts turn to justice and compassion, and to a prince of peace born long ago,” the president said.

“This is a day on which we give thanks for the wonder of God’s love, for the blessings we have received and for the families we love. And this year all of these things seem particularly important,” the president said.

Bush celebrated Christmas at the Camp David presidential retreat outside Washington. He and his wife, Laura, were joined by several family members, including her mother, Jenna Welch; Bush’s parents, former President George Bush and Barbara Bush; and the Bushes’ twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna.

“This Christmas finds many facing hurt and loss, especially the families of terror victims and of our young men killed in battle. America grieves with you, and we hope you’ll especially find the comfort and hope of Christmas,” the president said.

Bush also telephoned nine men and women in the military to pass along his best wishes and to thank them for their service, said White House spokesman Scott Stanzel. Church services were held at a Camp David chapel.

Bush taped the message before departing for Camp David on Saturday.

The family exchanged presents after a Christmas brunch, White House spokesman Taylor Gross said. Laura Bush gave the president several sweaters and a commemorative keepsake marking Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s visit last month to Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas.

The Bushes gave books to their daughters: Barbara received a fashion book and Jenna the memoirs of Holocaust survivor Ruth Kluger.

A family dinner was planned for the evening, and Bush also was participating in the Camp David staff’s holiday celebration, Gross said.

Bush planned to fly to Texas on Wednesday to vacation at his ranch.