Your wise counsel in vitally important national security questions has been of immense value to Mel Laird and to me, and I want you to know that these exceptional accomplishments have earned for you the Nation's gratitude.

THANKSGIVING is a time of summing up in America--a time to count our blessings, a time to express both as one people and as individuals our thanks for those blessings.

I want you to know how much I appreciate not only your encouraging comments but also your readiness to continue helping us out.

I am grateful for what you have done and I am grateful that you are staying.

Our thoughts will be with you--as will our prayers and our enduring thanks.

So as we look at America at this Christmas season, I think rather than apologizing for our great, strong private enterprise economy, we should recognize that we are very fortunate to have it.

I also want you to know that I am grateful for your willingness to remain available to serve your country when needed.

So be assured that you are in America's heart, for it is you that are fighting her battle--and a grateful Nation thanks, appreciates, remembers, and prays for all of you.

My Korean friends, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the warmth of your welcome.

I came here today with only one regret: that I would not be able to personally thank every man in Vietnam for what he is doing.

I have told Mrs. Johnson many, many times of the delightful experience that I had here and the hospitality that your people extended to me.

I want to thank all of you for being so good to us back in 1964 when the great State of New York gave us a landslide majority of more than two million votes.

I urge all our people to give public and private expression to the love and gratitude which they bear for their fathers.

I am proud to honor this request and do hereby extend to the Honorable Harry S Truman this expression of our profound and lasting gratitude and appreciation for his long years of devoted service to his country.

At this minute, in these difficult hours, I am deeply grateful for the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross has earned the respect, affection and gratitude of the American people.

We feel a debt of gratitude and we want to, in part, repay it by working with our other neighbors.

We are proud of you, and gratified for the example that you have set.