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 Home > News & Policies > December 2008

President Bush Hosts Hanukkah Reception
President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the lighting of the Menorah Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. This year's Menorah, currently housed at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Mo., was a gift from Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to the U.S. President on May 7, 1951 - President Truman's birthday - to personally thank him for his important, and then-controversial recognition of Israel's independence three years prior. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the lighting of the Menorah Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. This year's Menorah, currently housed at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Mo., was a gift from Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to the U.S. President on May 7, 1951 - President Truman's birthday - to personally thank him for his important, and then-controversial recognition of Israel's independence three years prior. White House photo by Shealah Craighead Full Story
Mrs. Laura Bush poses Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in the White House kitchen with the rabbis who supervised the kitchen's koshering for the annual Hanukkah party. From left are Rabbi Mendel Minkowitz, Rabbi Binyomin Steinmetz and Rabbi Levi Shemtov. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the lighting of the Menorah Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. This year's Menorah, currently housed at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Mo., was a gift from Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to the U.S. President on May 7, 1951 - President Truman's birthday - to personally thank him for his important, and then-controversial recognition of Israel's independence three years prior. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Clifton Truman Daniel, right, and Yariv Ben-Eliezer light the Menorah Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, before the annual White House Hanukkah Reception. Because the Menorah was being lit before the holiday actually begins, December 21, all eight candles, plus the Shamash -- the main candle -- were lit following a blessing. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President George W. Bush pauses for photos with troops at Bagram Air Base Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Afghanistan. The President made the pre-dawn visit to the base before meeting with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul. During his remarks to the troops, the President said, "What you're doing in Afghanistan is important, it is courageous, and it is selfless. It's akin to what American troops did in places like Normandy and Iwo Jima and Korea. Your generation is every bit as great as any that has come before. And the work you do every day is shaping history for generations to come." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush is greeted as he deplanes Air Force One Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, after arriving in the pre-dawn hours in Afghanistan. The President visited with troops at Bagram Air Base, thanking them for their service and telling them, "I am proud to be with brave souls serving the United States of America." White House photo by Eric Draper
Troops at Bagram Air Base listen to remarks by President George W. Bush early Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, after his arrival in Afghanistan. The President told his audience, "I am confident we will succeed in Afghanistan because our cause is just, our coalition and Afghan partners are determined; and I am confident because I believe freedom is a gift of an Almighty to every man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth. Above all, I know the strength and character of you all. As I conclude this final trip, I have a message to you, and to all who serve our country: Thanks for making the noble choice to serve and protect your fellow Americans." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush is greeted by President Hamid Karzai upon arrival Monday morning, Dec. 15, 2008, at the Afghanistan leader's presidential palace in Kabul. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush is presented the Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan Insignia by Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, for his efforts in rebuilding the country. The presentation came during a surprise visit to Kabul about which the President said, "I want to be in Afghanistan to say 'thank you' to President Karzai, to let the people of Afghanistan know that the United States has stood with them and will stand with them." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush stands with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan as he prepares to depart Kabul Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, for Washington, D.C. The President arrived in Afghanistan in the pre-dawn hours to deliver farewell remarks to the troops at Bagram Air Base and to meet with President Karzai. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush bids farewell to President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan as he prepares to depart the presidential palace Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Kabul. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush meets with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at the presidential palace in Kabul. White House photo by Eric Draper
 
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