Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama called for unity in his final Thanksgiving address Thursday, just weeks after what he called the "sometimes divisive campaign" came to a close.

"As a country, we've just emerged from a noisy, passionate, and sometimes divisive campaign season," Obama said in his weekly address. "After all, elections are often where we emphasize what sets us apart. We face off in a contest of 'us' versus 'them.' We focus on the candidate we support instead of some of the ideals we share ... But a few short weeks later, Thanksgiving reminds us that no matter our differences, we are still one people, part of something bigger than ourselves."

Obama made nine phone calls to service members Thursday morning to thank them for their service.

For his part, President-elect Donald Trump, in his holiday message released yesterday, called for national unity as well and he vowed to bring the country together in common purpose.

But the wounds from the election are still fresh and liberal leaders are seeking recounts of the vote in three states -- Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- and some Democratic members of the Electoral College also have launched a last-ditch attempt to block Trump.

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