NATION : Hundreds Weather Rain to Hear President Praise Volunteerism

President Bush today gave a Thanksgiving-eve salute to Memphis citizens involved in public service and volunteer efforts.

“We are nearing the dawn of a new decade,” he said. “Let it be a decade with no dark corners, no forgotten people, no forgotten places.”

The President delivered his speech outdoors in a cold driving rain before an audience of hundreds of people standing in several inches of mud.

He stood before the crowd without an umbrella, and the rain plastered his hair across his forehead. “I hope you haven’t gotten pneumonia,” he said in closing.

Encouraging Americans to reach out to help others, Bush said, “Everyone has a gift to give. Every one of us has a special talent that can help solve America’s problems. And every institution in America can make the kind of commitment you’ve made here.”

Today’s trip was linked to a series of articles published by the Memphis Commercial Appeal about people whose volunteer efforts help improve the lives of others. The newspaper calls the series “A Thousand Points of Light.”