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Larry Downing / Reuters
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet military personnel and their families as they walk into Anderson Hall base chow hall at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, in Kaneohe Bay, Dec 25.
KANEHOE, HAWAII – President Obama spent part of his last full day in Hawaii participating in an annual tradition for his wife Michelle and him: greeting Marines at the base near his vacation home here.
The president will return to Washington D.C. early Thursday morning, the White House announced, as the Senate returns to session to work on a way forward on avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff.
But his attention was far from tax hikes and spending cuts as he and the first lady slipped around a corner of the Anderson mess hall at Marine Corps Base Hawaii to greet military families as they ate an early Christmas dinner.
In short remarks, Obama, dressed casually in a blue button-down shirt and khakis, thanked the service members and their families – mostly Marines, but some Army and Navy as well - for enduring the challenges of military life.
“Not only do those in uniform make sacrifices but I think everybody understands the sacrifices that families make each and every day as well,” he said.
The president also noted that the country is “still in a wartime footing,” even as the troop drawdown in Afghanistan, slated to conclude in 2014, continues.
“Some of you may have loved ones who are deployed there; some of you may be about to be deployed there,” he said. “So we want you to know that it’s not easy. But what we also want you to know is that you have the entire country aligned with you.”
After his remarks, the president and first lady disappeared behind the mess hall walls, where they posed for pictures with troops.
Leave a Comment:
Patrick93 Liberals are the enemy. Your weak, always wanting the easy way out. Letting others infringe on my GOD given rights and not willing to stand up for the common good. Just sit back because you dont want to get involved, oh its alright we'll just let others walk all over us. Liberalism is a mental disorder and your a threat to all that want to prosper.
This is what all Presidents do and you right-wing CLOWNS can't even take one day off from your childish drival? I'm sure happy ObamaCare covers MENTAL ILLNESS.
"after a dozen or so, postings of pure garbage by Viewer_Ready... he's more than eligible for the "Troll of the Day" award on the 'Vine. So here's your prize, nutjob... I honor you (stretch of the word) with a big "BLOCK Poster". Congrats! Now your garbage is invisible and has no lasting smell."
I have read all of the comments here...I have never "trolled" before but thought it would be interesting to read everything...omg what is wrong with you people. I feel dumber after reading most of this. But on Christmas, after reading all of this, I am the ultimate "troll" uhg.
I would hope all the military gave Obama the one-finger sulute he diserves.
Uncle Sam can't spell?
He "deserves" nothing after the Benghazi scandal!
Compliments of Season to all the Americans including the Armed Services. GOD Bless the Americans. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
the only people smiling in the room are obama and michelle.I wonder why???????????
That's because their smile was as phoney as the tear he tried to squeeze out.
I hope President Obama can convince our Politicians into keeping their word on providing the Medical care that they promised to Veteran Retirees and their spouses instead of cutting them even more like they just did. That would be way better then a slap on the back.
A slap on the back is nice but it doesn't pay the bills especially when you survived a career and your youth is gone.
We kept our word...
http://mrgrg-ms.org/brief00.html
@Ted, I went there and read that most of what was there, it is very interesting. It raisess a lot of thoughts.Like the Codes written in 1956 and than mentioning Base Closures. Who could have forseen the Troop Drawdown, ending the Draft, and Base Closures that started in 1990 or 92 under Geroge W H Bush. I spent many years in the Military and we generally worked on a 5 year in advance plan. I don't think that the Congressmen and Senators of the day were looking 44-46 years ahead. For every Cause there is an effect. Yes closing down Bases causes a big effedt on the civilian community and the retired and medically discharged military. As they have a tendency to stay near bases and hospitals that fits their situation. I really only read as far as page 7 but do plan on reading more later today. This may be coming to the surface now but having been in the Military at that time and past it. This is nothing created by Obama.
Here is the PDF page to read and it is 16 pages long http://mrgrg-ms.org/briefing-c.pdf
Wow. They look absolutely thrilled!
Gee, bet they were thrilled at the staged photo op knowing this was the guy that let people die at Bengazi without even trying to help.
I'll bet they would be MORE thrilled if it was the shrub there giving them all orders to go and get killed year after year.
It was the gop that said NO to increased funding for security of the embassies.
Just another photo op. Nice to know he and michelle could take a little time out from partying with their celebrity friends to stop in and visit the common people. How much did this little vacation cost again and we're supposedly all in this together?
nice to see him spend time with real american hero's while the gop spends its entire time protecting the millionaires and billionaires, face it what romney said was true they can't stand to even be around the bottom 47%
Obama is a millionaire and he spends the majority of his time hanging with celebrities. He only takes time for the common people to get a good photo op. What do you think about that troll? Furthermore even if we tax millionaires and billionaires at 100% that would only run the government for about 4 months. Are you aware of that Troll?
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." - Dwight D.Eisenhower
"Merry Christmas" Marines, thank you for your service. "Happy New Year" Hope You get, "family time" in 2013.
God Bless America, Land of the free & The home of the Brave!
"Merry Christmas" Soldiers, thank you for your service. "Happy New Year" Hope You get, "family time" in 2013.
God Bless America, Land of the free & The home of the Brave!
"Merry Christmas" Sailors, thank you for your service. "Happy New Year" Hope You get, "family time" in 2013.
God Bless America, Land of the free & The home of the Brave!
"Merry Christmas" Airmen/women, thank you for your service. "Happy New Year" Hope You get, "family time" in 2013.
God Bless America, Land of the free & The home of the Brave!
"Merry Christmas" National Guard, thank you for your service. "Happy New Year" Hope You get, "family time" in 2013.
God Bless America, Land of the free & The home of the Brave!
"Merry Christmas" Coast Guard, thank you for your service. "Happy New Year" Hope You get, "family time" in 2013.
God Bless America, Land of the free & The home of the Brave!
To ALL who serve Our Fine Nation, We Love You and Appreciate Your Commitment to All of our Freedom & Liberty. God Bless you and your Families sacrifice of time away from you and you away from them, for the sake of America.
May God bless ye, and Keep ye. May his face shine upon ye, and be gracious unto ye. May he lift up his countenance upon ye, and give thee peace.
In Jesus name, Amen...
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. "- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Obama's on the beach in Honolulu - looking for a cliff so he can dive
Spending millions on Christmas vacation - and as for you and me he has no time
Saw Lincoln today. An amazing movie recounting Lincoln and the Republican's fight to abolish slavery!
Lincoln's leadership - a teaching moment for those with none - on how to work both sides - brilliant
Why doesn't MSN put these nigga stories on the nigga websites? I really don't care to see them!
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus
@convenientlies...Now it's: Bring us your scum, your lazy, your worthless POS, your freeloaders, & your terrorists.
Move back to Iran, you freaking idiot!!!!!
Kind of makes you wonder about Barack's judgment when he leads Michelle into a mess hall. That is one scenic site she could afford to bypass.
I for one would be honored to have the President of the United States address me and have a photo taken with him. It would be framed and hung honorably in my home. All you crabbers about Obama are showing your partisanship and mimic the problems of that issue in the USA.
So far, President Obama has taken 61 vacation days after 31 months in office. At this point in their presidencies, George W. Bush had spent 180 days at his ranch where his staff often joined him for meetings. And Ronald Reagan had taken 112 vacation days at his ranch.
Among recent presidents, Bill Clinton took the least time off — 28 days.
To be fair, a presidential vacation away from the White House is not the same as a vacation for the average person. The president is still in contact with his advisers and on call for any emergency.
You forget one detail ---- obama spends NO time in the white house. He is always playing golf, on vacation or out campaigning/spreading propaganda (although I really don't know what he is running for now.. maybe "king"?)
I understand your small mindedness E1957 , However is it really a necessity to express your hate in this forum?
Or do you really just have nothing better to do?
I pity the foolish, Poor, poor languishing soul of denigration.
I shall pray for you...
@convientlies...whomever you're praying to, pray for your own soul, you devil-worshiping idiot.
E1957
do you really just have nothing better to do? or anything of substantive value to add?
Too bad, really that you've chosen to extoll a vitriolic hatred of your fellow man.
pitiful woe, willful ignorance, bitter taste and shame for you...
I pray... For you And Me And ALL
I shall turn the other cheek to your hate e1957.
Sorry. too see you so miserable in life...
I hope you have a change of heart soon . It is truly sad to live in the squalor of iniquity with pain being your only pleasure.
Even on Christmas, the idiot assed Rethugs cannot be civil! Wow, just wow!
Thanks for visiting the troops, Mr. and Mrs. President!!! Your empathy astounds even the stupid assed Gotper's!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DfromSpencer
Perhaps you should consider a resolution including civility. Happy New Year!
Ho Ho Ho!
Brilliant DfS
DFS.....Michelle Obama is now Mrs. President? You are an idiot slug.