Bush makes Christmas Eve calls to U.S. troops abroad

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush called U.S. troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf on Monday to wish them a happy Christmas.

According to the White House, Bush spoke through calls to the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and U.S. Coastal Guard from the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland where he is spending Christmas, and thanked them for their sacrifice.

President George W. Bush speaks while at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington Dec. 20, 2007. He called U.S. troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf on Monday to wish them a happy Christmas.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"He said he couldn't thank them enough for their contribution to their country, hopes they are in high spirits, and that they are serving a cause that is very noble," White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "He said, 'I know that you miss your family.'"

Bush also said that when the troops' children grow up, they will "understand and appreciate their parent's sacrifice," Perino added.

The president is set to leave for his Texas ranch to spend vocation with his family and return to the White House after the start of the new year.

Bush's administration was widely criticized for his war policies and urged to bring home U.S. troops from Iraq. Pentagon chief Robert Gates announced on Friday that due to Iraq's security improvement recently, the U.S. military decided to withdraw a combat brigade from the country later this month, and take home another four by mid-2008.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei