By Meghan Keneally and Associated Press PUBLISHED: 15:49 EST, 25 December 2012 | UPDATED: 06:36 EST, 26 December 2012 The President and First Lady wished the troops a merry Christmas with a visit to a U.S. Marine base on Tuesday. His appearance with servicemen at a Christmas ceremony was his last public stop in Hawaii before he cuts short his vacation and flies back to Washington to return to negotiations over the fiscal cliff. Barack Obama is expected to arrive in Washington early Thursday, the White House said Tuesday night. Michelle Obama and the couple's two daughters will remain in Hawaii.
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Both the president and his wife spoke of the joy at spending the Holidays with loved ones and paid a special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces
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President Obama also spoke of the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast of America and the massacre of 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Connecticut
'And this year, I know many of you are extending that kindness to the families who are still picking up the pieces from @placeholder and your prayers to the people of Newtown, Connecticut.,' he said.