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A Red, White and Blue Christmas

Entertainers Step Afrika perform Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, during the opening ceremony on the Ellipse at the annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper
Entertainers Step Afrika perform Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, during the opening ceremony on the Ellipse at the annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper

Photo Essay: Holiday 2008     Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

President George W. Bush embraces a group of youngsters Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, as he welcomes children attending the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance at the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush is joined by two children on stage in the East Room of the White House as he thanks members of the musical group Sweet Heaven Kings, Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, during the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush, sitting with Mrs. Laura Bush, reaches to hold the hand of a young child Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 in the East Room of the White House, during the Children's Hoilday Reception and Performance. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush is smothered in little hands as he says goodbye to a group of childen in attendance Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, for the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance at the White House. The President and Mrs. Laura Bush traditionally invite children to a White House celebration for the holidays, and this year, the audience included kids of active duty and reserve military service members from Russell Elementary at Quantico Marine Base, Dahlgren School at Dahlgren Navy Base and West Meade Elementary at Ft. Meade Army Base. White House photo by Eric Draper
A vocalist with Sweet Heaven Kings entertains in the East Room of the White House Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, during the 2008 Children's Holiday Reception and Performance hosted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. The Sweet Heaven Kings is the premier brass band at the United House of Prayer in Anacostia, Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper
Mrs. Laura Bush is seated between volunteers Master Tre'shaad Cox, 11, left, and U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Griffin, an out-patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, during a visit Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, to the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Packing Event at the Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Bush reminded the volunteers that during this holiday season, "we are reminded of our many blessings, especially our freedom. The American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes project, in partnership with Pitney Bowes, provides citizens an opportunity to send holiday cards to members of our Armed Forces. I am grateful to the many volunteers gathered here today to ensure our military receives our message of thanks for the sacrifice they make each day to defend our freedom." White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Mrs. Laura Bush greets one of the military volunteers and his child during the Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes event in Washington, D.C. Standing in the background are American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern, in red, and Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the American Red Cross. As the room full of volunteers sorted cards created by Americans to send to U.S. troops deployed around the world, Mrs. Bush encouraged Americans to do volunteer work in their home towns for those in need of food, care or appreciation. Cards for the troops can still be sent until December 10th at designated post office boxes. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Entertainers Step Afrika perform Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, during the opening ceremony on the Ellipse at the annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush watch four-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher perform on the Ellipse Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, prior to the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper
Four-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher waves to the crowd during her performance Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., for the annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush join the Enterprise High School Encores from Enterprise, Ala., on stage at the Ellipse Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, during the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush stand on stage Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, with Santa, entertainers and guests, during the 85th Lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. With them, from left, are: Members of Step Afrika!; Lindsey Van Horn, 9, and Kayleigh Kepler, 11, the official tree lighters; Phil Vassar; Jon Secada, and Santa and his elf. White House photo by Eric Draper

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