Thanksgiving Day, 2008

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Part IX

The President

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Proclamation 8322--Thanksgiving Day, 2008

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8322 of November 21, 2008

Thanksgiving Day, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to
gather together and express gratitude for all that we
have been given, the freedoms we enjoy, and the loved
ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of
these blessings, and life itself, come not from the
hand of man but from Almighty God.

Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the
Pilgrims who came to America in search of religious
freedom and a better life. Having arrived in the New
World, these early settlers gave thanks to the Author
of Life for granting them safe passage to this abundant
land and protecting them through a bitter winter. Our
Nation's first President, George Washington, stated in
the first Thanksgiving proclamation that ``It is the
duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His
benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and
favor.'' While in the midst of the Civil War, President
Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a
day of thanksgiving, asking God to heal our wounds and
restore our country.

Today, as we look back on the beginnings of our
democracy, Americans recall that we live in a land of
many blessings where every person has the right to
live, work, and worship in freedom. Our Nation is
especially thankful for the brave men and women of our
Armed Forces who protect these rights while setting
aside their own comfort and safety. Their courage keeps
us free, their sacrifice makes us grateful, and their
character makes us proud. Especially during the
holidays, our whole country keeps them and their
families in our thoughts and prayers. Americans are
also mindful of the need to share our gifts with
others, and our Nation is moved to compassionate
action. We pay tribute to all caring citizens who reach
out a helping hand and serve a cause larger than
themselves.

On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed
our Nation's first days and who blesses us today. May
He continue to guide and watch over our families and
our country always.

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 November 27, 2008, as a
National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans
to gather together in their homes and places of worship
with family, friends, and loved ones to strengthen the
ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and
many blessings we enjoy.

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