Bush has 12th Christmas at Camp David retreat

WASHINGTON — President Bush spent Christmas at Camp David, the 12th time he and his family celebrated the holiday at the Maryland presidential retreat.

Bush’s parents -- former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara -- and the president’s siblings and their families were also at Camp David, as were the president’s twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, and Jenna’s husband, Henry Hager, the White House said Wednesday.

Bush and his wife, Laura, have celebrated Christmas at Camp David every year of Bush’s two-term presidency and his father’s single term.

Their Christmas Day menu is traditional: roast turkey with cornbread dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, spinach salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie and pecan pie for dessert.

Bush spent part of Christmas Eve morning phoning nine members of the armed forces stationed around the world to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and to thank them for their service, said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

She said the president asked each one to pass the Bushes’ holiday wishes to fellow service members. He thanked them for the “continued sacrifices that they are making in serving our country overseas, and away from family.”