Many people associate me with sunshine and the Fourth of July. I'd like to tell you about some of my more important days. Christmas Day is not usually thought of as patriotic--but YOU be the judge. My very first Christmas, I remember very well. I was in a boat with General George Washington, crossing the Delaware on his way to Valley Forge. By Christmas of 1814, Francis Scott Key had written a famous song about me after the British had burned our White House. At Fredricksburg, the Christmas of 1862 found ALL my men free from slavery. I was mighty proud that Christmas. The Christmas of 1917 was a miserable one. I was at Verdun, France, in a cold and freezing battle; but I stayed on to give my men hope. In 1941, General Douglas MacArthur spent Christmas with me in Manila, cheering our men on. Since then, I've been to Korea and Vietnam. I spent a little while in Iran and a long time on the moon. I've been almost everywhere in the world, on one Christmas or another, since that long-ago time we crossed the Delaware. Some Christmases have been peaceful and beautiful--others sad and dreary. I'll still be around this Christmas. I might not get as much attention as the Christmas tree does, or the presents under the tree. But I'll still be there, giving hope and courage to the men and women willing to fight for me and MY country.

(May end with audience standing for pledge or simply by the lights dying out.)