troops abroad as Christians celebrate Easter and Jews continue the observance of Passover.
The announcement came at a time when both U.S. troops as well as local Christians in Iraq and the nearby Turkish border area are concerned about Muslim violence, following several anti war protests in the region.
Local Christians have told BosNewsLife they are viewed as pro-American, and that militants see the war as a fight between Islam and Christianity.
President Bush, himself believed to be a born again Christian, made clear in his weekly radio address that the Easter holiday season had a special meaning for those whose loved ones are far away.
FREEDOM
"This holy season reminds us of the value of freedom, and the power of a love stronger than death…More than 250,000 American troops are serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to protect our security and to free an oppressed people. Their families await their safe return, and our grateful nation remembers them in prayer," he said.
In addition the president mentioned seven American prisoners of war, rescued just days ago in northern Iraq, saying that the "whole nation has also shared" in their happiness. "Thanks to the courage of our Marines and the help of Iraqis, their families have even more reason to celebrate this weekend."
However he also cautioned that America should learn to cope with tragedy, including the reportedly nearly 130 fatal casualties among U.S. soldiers alone.
GRIEVE
"I have met with some of these grieving families, and I have seen their sorrow and their strength," recalled Bush. "Corporal Henry Brown, a 22-year-old soldier from Natchez, Mississippi, was lost in battle earlier this month. After the news arrived, his best friend, Frank Woods, Jr., said this about Henry: "He believed God was working through him and he was part of the plan. I guess part of the plan now is God calling his soldier home."
President Bush added that "America mourns those who have been called home, and we pray that their families will find God’s comfort and God’s grace. His purposes are not always clear to us, yet this season brings a promise: that good can come out of evil, that hope can arise from despair, and that all our grief will someday turn to joy, a joy that can never be taken away."
The president delivered his weekly radio address from his Texas ranch, where he is spending a long holiday weekend with members of his immediate family. On Sunday, he will make a quick helicopter trip to a nearby army base to attend church services with soldiers and their families.
Fort Hood, Texas has sent about 20,000 of its men and women to Iraq. It is the home base of two of the freed prisoners of war, who were set to return this weekend, the Voice of America (VOA) reported.
