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FReeper Canteen ~ Presidential 2008 Military Message for Hanukkah ~ Dec 21 2008
The Canteen Crew ^
| December 20, 2008
| Serving the Best Troops and Vets in the WORLD!
Posted on 12/20/2008 5:06:29 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma
Presidential Message
The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift -- freedom.
This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory -- the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations -- and one of America's closest friends.
This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way. Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times. As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman's place in American history, but the President's courageous decision to recognize the new state of Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history. Those words filled the President's eyes with uncharacteristic tears. And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.
And so tonight I'm deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men -- Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer -- to light the Truman menorah together.
Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead.
Thank you
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav, ve-tzivanu le-hadlik ner shel Hanukah.
Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by his commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukah.
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam she-asa nisim la-avotenu ba-yamim ha-hem ba-zeman ha-zeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam she-hecheyanu, ve-kiyemanu, ve-higiyanu la-zeman ha-zeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chanukah; chaplain; hanukkah; military; troopsupport
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To: Brad's Gramma
41
posted on
12/20/2008 8:20:45 PM PST
by
higgmeister
(In the Shadow of The Big Chicken!)
To: Lady Jag
To: Lady Jag
43
posted on
12/20/2008 8:27:44 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska
We got a fair snowfall today, 12” this morning, to which 3 or 4” were added by constant snow today.
Another front is due tomorrow for another 4-6.”
All this Gorbal Warming has me looking at higher boots. Any recommendations?
44
posted on
12/20/2008 8:56:58 PM PST
by
Lady Jag
(DONATE NOW at https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate)
To: Lady Jag
Move to Cochise County Arizona.
45
posted on
12/20/2008 9:01:33 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Lady Jag
To: All
47
posted on
12/20/2008 9:03:21 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: All
48
posted on
12/20/2008 9:03:21 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: All
49
posted on
12/20/2008 9:03:22 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: SandRat
50
posted on
12/20/2008 9:03:41 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: SandRat
51! :)
To: Brad's Gramma
8^)
52
posted on
12/20/2008 9:12:57 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Lady Jag
53
posted on
12/20/2008 9:14:27 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: SandRat
Why? I love the weather here.
Arizona’s too hot. Heck, 80º is too hot.
Thanks for the invite, though. You anywhere near Tucson?
54
posted on
12/20/2008 9:16:24 PM PST
by
Lady Jag
(DONATE NOW at https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate)
To: Kirkwood
Beautiful Menorrah for our Jewish troops and their families. Thanks, Kirkwood.
55
posted on
12/20/2008 9:16:31 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: SandRat
You wipe that grin off your face young man or I'll wipe it off FOR you!:)
To: Lady Jag
75 SSE at 4800 feet elevation. Prediciting 29 for tonight’s low and 53 for the high tomorrow.
57
posted on
12/20/2008 9:18:10 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Brad's Gramma
8^[
58
posted on
12/20/2008 9:20:31 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Brad's Gramma
Do you ever get snow or can you drive to it?
59
posted on
12/20/2008 9:23:49 PM PST
by
Lady Jag
(DONATE NOW at https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate)
To: SandRat
LOL!!
OK. You can stop pouting now...
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