English subtitles for clip: File:2011-11-24 President Obama's Weekly Address.ogv
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1 00:00:05,700 --> 00:00:07,934 The President: From my family to yours, I'd like to wish you a 2 00:00:07,934 --> 00:00:09,767 happy Thanksgiving. 3 00:00:09,767 --> 00:00:11,834 Like millions of Americans, Michelle, Malia, 4 00:00:11,834 --> 00:00:14,399 Sasha and I will spend the day eating great food, 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,767 watching a little football, and reflecting on how truly 6 00:00:17,767 --> 00:00:19,767 lucky we are. 7 00:00:19,767 --> 00:00:22,900 As Americans, each of us has our own list of things and people to 8 00:00:22,900 --> 00:00:23,900 be thankful for. 9 00:00:23,900 --> 00:00:27,433 But there are some blessings we all share. 10 00:00:27,433 --> 00:00:29,800 We're especially grateful for the men and women who defend our 11 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:31,633 country overseas. 12 00:00:31,633 --> 00:00:34,100 To all the service members eating Thanksgiving dinner far 13 00:00:34,100 --> 00:00:36,967 from your families: the American people are thinking of 14 00:00:36,967 --> 00:00:37,967 you today. 15 00:00:37,967 --> 00:00:40,800 And when you come home, we intend to make sure that we 16 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,934 serve you as well as you're serving America. 17 00:00:43,934 --> 00:00:46,467 We're also grateful for the Americans who are taking time 18 00:00:46,467 --> 00:00:50,033 out of their holiday to serve in soup kitchens and shelters, 19 00:00:50,033 --> 00:00:54,233 making sure their neighbors have a hot meal and a place to stay. 20 00:00:54,233 --> 00:00:56,632 This sense of mutual responsibility -- 21 00:00:56,633 --> 00:00:58,333 the idea that I'm my brother's keeper; 22 00:00:58,333 --> 00:01:01,467 that I'm my sister's keeper -- has always been part of what 23 00:01:01,467 --> 00:01:02,600 makes our country special. 24 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,834 And it's one of the reasons the Thanksgiving tradition 25 00:01:05,834 --> 00:01:07,667 has endured. 26 00:01:07,667 --> 00:01:10,233 The very first Thanksgiving was a celebration of community 27 00:01:10,233 --> 00:01:13,433 during a time of great hardship, and we've followed that example 28 00:01:13,433 --> 00:01:14,834 ever since. 29 00:01:14,834 --> 00:01:18,000 Even when the fate of our union was far from certain -- 30 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:22,600 during a Civil War, two World Wars, a Great Depression -- 31 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:25,699 Americans drew strength from each other. 32 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:29,367 They had faith that tomorrow would be better than today. 33 00:01:29,367 --> 00:01:31,166 We're grateful that they did. 34 00:01:31,166 --> 00:01:33,667 As we gather around the table, we pause to remember the 35 00:01:33,667 --> 00:01:37,133 pilgrims, pioneers and patriots who helped make this country 36 00:01:37,133 --> 00:01:38,567 what it is. 37 00:01:38,567 --> 00:01:43,232 They faced impossible odds, and yet somehow, they persevered. 38 00:01:43,233 --> 00:01:45,700 Today, it's our turn. 39 00:01:45,700 --> 00:01:47,934 I know that for many of you, this Thanksgiving is more 40 00:01:47,934 --> 00:01:49,467 difficult than most. 41 00:01:49,467 --> 00:01:51,934 But no matter how tough things are right now, 42 00:01:51,934 --> 00:01:55,133 we still give thanks for that most American of blessings, 43 00:01:55,133 --> 00:01:57,232 the chance to determine our own destiny. 44 00:01:57,233 --> 00:02:00,734 The problems we face didn't develop overnight, 45 00:02:00,734 --> 00:02:02,567 and we won't solve them overnight. 46 00:02:02,567 --> 00:02:04,734 But we will solve them. 47 00:02:04,734 --> 00:02:07,100 All it takes is for each of us to do our part. 48 00:02:07,100 --> 00:02:11,066 With all the partisanship and gridlock here in Washington, 49 00:02:11,066 --> 00:02:14,533 it's easy to wonder if such unity is really possible. 50 00:02:14,533 --> 00:02:17,232 But think about what's happening at this very moment: 51 00:02:17,233 --> 00:02:20,066 Americans from all walks of life are coming together as one 52 00:02:20,066 --> 00:02:23,567 people, grateful for the blessings of family, community, 53 00:02:23,567 --> 00:02:25,066 and country. 54 00:02:25,066 --> 00:02:29,533 If we keep that spirit alive, if we support each other and look 55 00:02:29,533 --> 00:02:32,632 out for each other and remember that we're all in this together, 56 00:02:32,633 --> 00:02:36,133 then I know that we, too, will overcome the challenges 57 00:02:36,133 --> 00:02:37,633 of our time. 58 00:02:37,633 --> 00:02:40,600 So today, I'm thankful to serve as your President and 59 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:41,600 Commander-in-Chief. 60 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:44,834 I'm thankful that my daughters get to grow up in this great 61 00:02:44,834 --> 00:02:45,900 country of ours. 62 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:49,800 And I'm thankful for the chance to do my part, as together, 63 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,266 we make tomorrow better than today. 64 00:02:52,266 --> 00:02:55,100 Thanks, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.