President Barack Obama said on Sunday it had been the "privilege of my life" to serve as U.S. commander in chief and promised his continued gratitude and commitment to service members and their families during a Christmas Day visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. "Although this will be my last time addressing you as president, I want you to know that as a citizen, my gratitude will remain, and our commitment to standing by you every step of the way, that won't stop," Obama told several hundred people gathered in a mess hall decorated with Christmas trees and wreaths. Obama said greeting service members and their families, some of whom held up cell phones for photos as he spoke, was one of his favorite traditions.



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