Thanksgiving Day, 2004

Proclamation 7849 of November 23, 2004

Thanksgiving Day, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All across America, we gather this week with the people
we love to give thanks to God for the blessings in our
lives. We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for
our families and friends, and grateful for the many
gifts of America. On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge
that all of these things, and life itself, come from
the Almighty God.

Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated a
harvest feast to thank God after suffering through a
brutal winter. President George Washington proclaimed
the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and
President Lincoln revived the tradition during the
Civil War, asking Americans to give thanks with ``one
heart and one voice.'' Since then, in times of war and
in times of peace, Americans have gathered with family
and friends and given thanks to God for our blessings.

Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings with
those who are less fortunate. Americans this week will
gather food and clothing for neighbors in need. Many
young people will give part of their holiday to
volunteer at homeless shelters and food pantries. On
Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength of
America lies in the hearts and souls of the American
people. By seeking out those who are hurting and by
lending a hand, Americans touch the lives of their
fellow citizens and help make our Nation and the world
a better place.

This Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to our
dedicated firefighters and police officers who help
keep our homeland safe. We are grateful to the homeland
security and intelligence personnel who spend long
hours on faithful watch. And we give thanks for the
Americans in our Armed Forces who are serving around
the world to secure our country and advance the cause
of freedom. These brave men and women make our entire
Nation proud, and we thank them and their families for
their sacrifice.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for His
blessings and ask Him to continue to guide and watch
over our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2004,
as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all
Americans to gather together in their homes and places
of worship to reinforce the ties of family and
community and to express gratitude for the many
blessings we enjoy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord
two thousand four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B