Obama feels ‘small’ compared with members of US Marines

First lady Michelle Obama, left, greets service members as President Barack Obama speaks during an event to thank members of the military and their families at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay today.

He thanked the service members for their hard work, and he said their efforts to help keep Americans free and strong is never taken for granted.

During his remarks, Obama referenced the six USA airmen who were killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan this past Monday. He said that although his administration has been bringing home troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, “there are still folks over there every single day and it’s still risky, as we saw this past week where we had some outstanding, courageous men and women who were killed”.

Obama and his wife Michelle made their annual visit to the U.S. Marine base’s Anderson Hall dining room to deliver Christmas wishes to troops and their families. And whatever service you’re in, whatever branch, we are extraordinarily grateful for everything that you do every single day. “For those of you who are still a little bit far away from home, we hope you had a chance to give them our best and let them know that we love them as well”.

Obama played an afternoon round of golf at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii with friends Bobby Titcomb, Greg Orme and Darrell Harrington. The Taliban claimed responsibility. “So many families here are serving tirelessly”.

He also took the opportunity for some light-hearted comments joking at the end about his daily workouts on the base and how he pales in comparison to the Marines who are in the gym at the same time.

The First Family spend every Christmas in Hawaii and are often spotted eating ice cones, boogie boarding or out to dinner in the local restaurants.

Crystal Patterson didn’t have the cash or assets to post $150,000 bail and get out of jail after her arrest for assault in October.

The First Lady said that the President will be able to keep up his exercise regiment when he returns to Washington since he was getting “workout stuff” for Christmas. “So they’d rather just have the money”.

Yet in spite of all that, Obama feels inadequate from time to time. “But the main thing I just want to say is, ‘Keep up the extraordinary work'”. “Because I generally feel like your commander in chief is in pretty good shape, and then I get next to some guy curling 100 pounds and it makes me feel small”.