President Bush exchanged gifts with his family at Camp David yesterday, posed for photographs with Marines, and issued a Christmas day radio address urging Americans to care for the sick, the elderly and the poor.
White House spokesman Taylor Gross said the president and first lady Laura Bush enjoyed a "peaceful and relaxing Christmas" at the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains. They were joined by their twin daughters and close relatives, including his parents, former president George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush.
 
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Before eating a family dinner of turkey with corn bread dressing and giblet gravy, the president visited with Marines stationed at Camp David, posed for pictures, and exchanged presents with his family.
He gave the first lady dessert plates to match her china pattern, and she gave him a raincoat, the White House said.
"Many of our fellow Americans still suffer from the effects of illness or poverty, others fight cruel addictions, or cope with division in their families, or grieve the loss of a loved one," he said in his weekly radio address.
"Christmastime reminds each of us that we have a duty to our fellow citizens, that we are called to love our neighbor just as we would like to be loved ourselves," he added. "By volunteering our time and talents where they are needed most, we help heal the sick, comfort those who suffer, and bring hope to those who despair, one heart and one soul at a time."
Bush also assured U.S. troops overseas that they are in the thoughts and prayers of their fellow Americans. That has been a theme of Bush's annual Christmas messages and came days after a suicide bombing at a U.S. military dining hall in Iraq killed 22 people, including 14 U.S. service members.
"In Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, these skilled and courageous Americans are fighting the enemies of freedom and protecting our country from danger," Bush said. He called 10 members of the U.S. military around the world and in the United States on Friday to thank them for their service and to share holiday greetings.
"By bringing liberty to the oppressed, our troops are helping to win the war on terror, and they are defending the freedom and security of us all," the president said. "They and their families are making many sacrifices for our nation, and for that, all Americans are deeply grateful."
After spending a long Christmas weekend at Camp David, the Bushes fly today to their home in Crawford, Tex., where they are scheduled to remain until Jan. 2. Aides said no official work was planned for Bush's holiday vacation.
