Obama's day: Thanking the troops

President Obama brings the greetings of the season to the nation's armed forces on Monday, traveling to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

"While in New Jersey, the President will deliver remarks expressing his gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families," says the White House schedule.

Obama travels to the base early in the afternoon, and returns to the White House in the late afternoon.

Along the way, Obama and aides will no doubt be getting updates on the hostage situation in Sydney, Australia, and prepare to sign a new $1.1 trillion spending bill to keep the government open.