Bush Offers Prayers at Hanukkah Ceremony

WASHINGTON — At a menorah-lighting ceremony to mark Hanukkah, President Bush on Monday prayed for Americans serving in the U.S. armed forces and expressed his hope that all people who live under oppression would one day be free.

“We hope and pray that all who live under tyranny will see their day of freedom, and that the light of faith will always shine through the darkness,” Bush said before candles were lighted at the White House on a 3-foot-tall candelabra that is more than two centuries old.

“We also pray for the brave men and women of our armed forces -- many of whom are spending the holiday season far from home and their loved ones,” he added.

Hebrew blessings for Hanukkah, which began Friday night and is celebrated for eight nights, were read by Jacob Murphy, 6, of Jacksonville, N.C.; and Sidney Hallem, 6, whose father, Lt. Col. Wayne Hallem, recently returned from Okinawa, Japan, and is based at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

Jacob struggled to light the wicks but got a boost from his father, Capt. Neil Murphy, a member of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, which returned from Iraq in June.

Before leaving for Camp David, Bush hosted more than 300 people at a Hanukkah reception, the last holiday party at the White House this season.

Also Monday, Bush visited Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., to recognize its “Victim to Victory Angel Tree Ministry,” which provides Christmas gifts to more than 500,000 children of inmates each year.