Troops Receive a Presidential Thank-You

CAMP DAVID, Md., Nov. 22 -- President Bush, who visited troops in Iraq on Thanksgiving after the U.S. invasion in 2003, called several servicemen and servicewomen Thursday to extend best wishes and say it was "the least I can do."

Three of those receiving holiday greetings are in the Army, two are Marines, three are in the Air Force, two serve in the Coast Guard and two in the Navy. The troops called are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and aboard ship, said White House press secretary Dana Perino.

"He called to wish the members of the military and their families and the troops that they are serving with a happy Thanksgiving. He said, 'I can't tell you how impressed I am by the courage and compassion of our troops.' He thanked them for their service," Perino said.

"He said how proud he is of them."

The president asked for God's blessings on the members of the military, Perino said. He said he is thankful to be commander in chief of the finest military ever assembled and told them, "Calling you is the least I can do because I admire the military so much."

Bush was celebrating the holiday at Camp David with first lady Laura Bush and their twin daughters, who have a birthday this weekend. Also present were daughter Jenna's fiance, Henry Hager, some of the president's brothers and sisters and their families, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Bush, who plans to return to Washington on Saturday, had no public schedule for the stay at Camp David, in the Catoctin Mountains of Western Maryland.

"He likes to keep it quiet when he's away up there, and he likes spending time with family," said deputy press secretary Tony Fratto, who added that the president does not have much time for that in his regular schedule.

The Thanksgiving dinner menu included jellied cranberry molds, whipped sweet potato souffle and pumpkin mousse trifle.