Halt. Playing the starspangled banner halt. [drumroll] playing]et [band playing] quakes ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President of the United States. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the procession of our nations colors and those of our Veterans Service organizations. As we march on the colors, the United States army band, pershings own, will play the National Emblem march. Please place your hand over the heart or render a hand salute. Playing] band playing] ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the invitation given by chaplain juliana lesher, National Director of Chaplain Service for the department of veterans affairs. Let us pray. Almighty and loving god, on this day we honor our American Veterans, the men and women of this nation who selflessly committed their very lives to honor and defend the freedoms that we cherish as americans. Our veterans know that freedom is not free, and comes with a significant sacrifice for those who faithfully serve, as well as for their families and loved ones. For the devoted service of our American Veterans, we are grateful. We are also grateful to you, god, for your strengthening presence. Our veterans have felt your sustaining presence while standing watch in the dark nights silence in a lonely outpost, worlds away from home, or on a ship in a distant and hostile sea. Our veterans have felt your protective presence in the horrible heat of combat, or flying amid darkening clouds across your infinite sky. Our veterans have felt your abiding presence as they attended to our wounded and tortured comrades in their cries of pain, and among those whose earthly struggle had ceased. For your strengthening, sustaining, protective, and abiding presence, we are grateful. May the ceremonies this day inspire our hearts to uphold the values of faith and understanding, life and human dignity, love and justice, and continued aspiration to Sacrificial Service as exemplified by our Service Members and veterans. We pray all of this in your most holy and loving name, amen. Now, i would like to invite mr. Frank kowalski, national commander, catholic veterans of the United States, to lead us in our pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. It is now my distinct privilege to introduce the members of the Veterans Day National commitcomn honor of americas veterans and to support veterans day observances throughout the nation. Please hold your applause until i have introduced the special guests. If you are able, please stand when your name is called. Mr. Thomas zampieri, president , National Veterans blind association. Mr. Harvey winer. National commander, jewish war veterans of the usa. Mr. Thomas burke, national Vice President , Vietnam Veterans of america. Mr. William doc schmits. Commanderinchief, veterans of foreign wars of the United States. Ms. Donna m. Jansky. National president , Fleet Reserve association. Ms. Jan c. Brown, national , am vets. Kenneth, national commander, army and navy union, incorporated. Mr. John ostrausky. President , noncommissioned Officers Association. Mr. Bruce fewerbok. Ional vice chimeric commander of the american legion. Mr. Charles eggleston, National Region one commander, military order of the purple heart. Mr. Dennis towbin, national commandant, marine corps league. Mr. William d. Roswoth. Executive director, military Chaplains Association of the usa. Mr. David zerflu. National president , paralyzed veterans of america. Mr. George m. Malone junior, national commander, legion of valor of the usa. Mr. Charles s. Chamberlin, commanderinchief, leader of military order of the world wars. Mr. Philip j. Helinski. , the retiredident enlisted association. Mr. Brian thacker, congressional medal of Honor Society of the usa. Mr. Stephen butch whitehead, national commander, disabled American Veterans. Mr. Dan mary, Vice President of governor government relations, military Officers Association of america. Ms. Karen munoz, board chair, commissioned Officers Association of Public Health service. Michael r. Carton, International President , air force sergeants association. Mr. Stephen wojikowski. Maryland state commander, polish legion of American Veterans usa. Dr. Paul h. Cunningham, National President , Korean War Veterans Association of the usa. Mr. Lawrence g. Romo, American National commander, american g. I. Forum of the United States. The associate members of the committee are located in the boxes to my left. I would like to ask the president s and National Commanders that comprise our associate membership to stand and be recognized. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing our Veterans National leadership with your applause. [applause] it is now my pleasure to introduce the executive director Army National military cemeteries, ms. Karen durhamaguilera. Good morning. On behalf of the secretary of the army, welcome to Arlington National cemetery. Thank you, mr. Vice president for being here today and for honoring our nations veterans. Welcome also to the honorable dan quayle, former Vice President , and his family for attending today. [applause] to secretary defense esper, mrs. Esper, secretary of the v. A. Wilkie, mrs. Wilkie, the senior officials before me, the duties of undersecretary of the army, the honorable jim mcpherson, chief of staff of the army, general mcconville, mrs. Mcconville, welcome. Mr. Frank kowalski of the catholic war veterans, thank you for being the veteran Service Organization host and for your participation in this Important National observance, and to all dignitaries, veterans and families here today, and everyone watching across this great nation, thank you. What a beautiful day. It is fitting that we are here in the center of these most hallowed grounds. Today is the celebration of honor, duty, and patriotism. Here at Arlington National cemetery, we are surrounded by over 400,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coast guard men, and their families who have proudly served our nation in peacetime and in more. Their headstones are the brick that form the foundation of the city on the hill, that beacon of the hope that is our United States. Stories of the service and sacrifice we celebrate today are etched in marble around us to from the inscriptions on gravestones to the tomb of the unknown soldier. Most important are the patriotism, valor, and fidelity etched in the hearts and souls of our Service Members come up past, present, and future are who are the vanguard of our freedom and liberty. Today, as for the past 155 years, Arlington National cemetery is honored to serve our veterans and their families at the nations most sacred shrine. No place but Arlington National cemetery could be purchased. Each must be earned through honorable service. On behalf of our dedicated men and women who serve here, is my privilege to welcome you today. We are a great people honoring sacrifice and service to a grateful nation. Again, thank you and welcome to Arlington National cemetery. [applause] i would now like to introduce our Veterans Service organization host for 2019, the catholic War Veterans Association of the usa. The catholic War Veterans Association of america is honored to serve as the Host Organization for the 2019 Veterans Day National commemoration at Arlington National cemetery. The catholic War Veterans Association is incorporated as a Nonprofit Corporation that meets the requirements for a veteran Service Organization under section 501 c 19 of the Internal Revenue code of 1986 and is organized under the laws of the state of new york. Under its motto, for god, country, and home, the cap that the catholic war veterans is dedicated to serving returning war veterans. Together with other organizations, it seeks to educate and influence public opinion, promote good laws, and serve veterans as they look or benefits, counseling, representation, and employment opportunities. The catholic war veterans up War Veterans Association is represented today by their National President. Please welcome mr. Frank kowalski. [applause] mr. Vice president , members of the clergy, mr. Secretary, members of congress, my fellow veterans and guests, welcome. Today is an extraordinary day on our national calendar. We come here to this hallowed place for a sacred purpose. We set aside this day to honor and thank all of our veterans throughout our history, the least of whom are average citizens who proudly embraced and distinguished the uniform of our country. We are here to remember and pray for those who gave their last full measure of devotion, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. We give special thanks to those who returned safely to their families and resume their lives to help build this great country. In particular, we salute those who came home with the scars of war, who continue to fight daily against emotional, mental, and physical disabilities. We can never thank them and not enough. They are an inspiration to us all. Veterans day has become an important reminder of our national heritage. Our military forces have had a profound affect on our world. We reflect on the unselfish courage of the early patriots who fought a revolution to forge our freedom as soldiers on both sides of the civil war. It would divide the course of our nation. We cherish the doughboys of world war i who set standards of courage in combat. We admire the determination of our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who took the fight to the enemy in world war ii and prevailed by their valor and sheer power of will. Not only did they preserve our freedom, but they also made possible to pursue a world at peace. That same commitment to the cause of liberty has brought us to the mountains of korea, the jungles of vietnam, and the deserts of the middle east. In each time and place, our veterans have distinguished themselves for their bravery and care for those innocents caught in the horrors of war. We recall fondly the courageous sacrifice of our doctors, nurses, clergy of all faiths, merchant mariners, rosie the riveters, and entertainers who stood shoulder to shoulder on front lines, factory yards, shipyards and at home to demonstrate the best that america had to offer. Our commitment to peace remains the highest priority of these United States of america. It is the debt we owe to those who ironically had to go to war to preserve the peace. May we never forget the enormous sacrifices made by those who served. It is my great honor to also represent all veterans of every race, creed, color, and service on this special occasion. The catholic War Veterans Organization is honored to act as your host today. We join forces with you to say may god bless all of those who served, and may god bless these United States of america. [applause] it gives me great pleasure to introduce the secretary of veterans affairs, the honorable robert wilkie. Before coming to the v. A. , mr. Wilkie was the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, the principal advisor to the secretary under deputy secretary of defense on total force management. As undersecretary of defense, mr. Wilkie served james mattis as assistant secretary of defense, serve both Donald Rumsfeld and robert gates. Before that, mr. Wilkie was special assistant to the president for National Security affairs and senior director for the National Security council. Currently, he is a colonel in the United States air force reserve and previously served in the navy reserve, in the joint forces command, and the office of naval intelligence. Ladies and gentlemen, secretary mr. Robert wilkie. [applause] secretary wilkie thank you, mr. Kowalski, and to the catholic war veterans for this glorious day. Mr. Vice president , to my colleagues in the cabinet, to the veterans of the United States, to the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs committee, on behalf of the president of the United States, welcome to arlington. Today, we honor veterans. Just across that river in the 1860s, Abraham Lincoln would ride alongside ambulances full of Wounded Soldiers as they were taken to hospitals just north of the white house, and he would constantly ask, how are things going . What are you seeing . In those days, the weary president was constantly looking for ways to honor and to respect those who carried the nations future on their bayonets. He knew that if we were going to have a nation at all, it would be these men that would deliver our future. He thanked, in 1864, the 199th new york volunteers when he said, to you who render the hardest work in support of this nation should be given the greatest credit. It was lincoln who set the tone for what we see today as our department of veterans affairs. Generations after president lincoln, Sergeant Alvin york showed america what it means to revere our country, and to revere those who defend our country. York was americas greatest hero, but having returned from world war i, he was besieged by advertisers and hollywood types begging for his endorsement, so they could profit from his heroics. He declined all those offers as only a mountain man from east tennessee could. He said this uniform aint for sale. Years later, as the guns of europe began to get closer and closer to the shores of our country, york reminded americans again why his veterans fought. He said liberty and freedom and democracy are so very precious that you do not fight to win them once and then stop. Liberty and freedom and democracys democracy are prizes awarded only to those people who fight to win them and keep fighting eternally to hold them. But in some times, despite what our veterans deliver, support for veterans in this country has been fragile since alvin york returned from france. In the 1930s, veterans marched on this city and were greeted with tanks. Franklin roosevelt knew what was going on, and as veterans saw his wife pass amongst them to say that all things would come right in the end, one private from alvin yorks division said, they send the army a few weeks ago, and roosevelt sent eleanor. A soldier of the first order, the first war, harry truman knew what had gone wrong. To make sure those things did not happen again, he ordered his fellow Missourian Omar Bradley to take hold of the department of veterans affairs, known then as the veterans administration. General bradley built 150 hospitals. He administered educational benefits to 7. 5 million returning veterans and he set america on the course for doing the right thing, that it had forgotten in between the two great wars. But things did not continue in that way. When my father went to vietnam, the tide had turned again. We forgot why we send americans overseas, and the wisdom of taking care of those who put this nations freedom on their backs. There were no welcome home parades, and my father, a senior officer in americas most decorated combat division, was not even allowed to wear his uniform off of fort bragg. There was such neglect that our friends at the Vietnam Veterans of america created the most lasting slogan. Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. That must be our charge today and always. We must vow never to let those dark days return, and to always be a welcoming family for those, who as lincoln said, borne the battle. I will close today with the thoughts of the greatest of airborne warriors, matthew bunker ridgeway. He led the allamerican victory in north africa, sicily, and general eisenhower passed him best tasked him with leading the Airborne Assault on taylors on hitlerss fortress europe. As he planned the operations of the screaming eagles, the allamericans, and the red devils of the british division, general ridgway could not sleep. He was so restless he fell out of his cot. He reached for the Old Testament and to the book of joshua and pulled down the description of the battle of jericho and gods promise to that great general. I shall not fail thee, nor forsake thee. In 1986, general ridgway was awarded the president ial medal of freedom by ronald reagan. Ronald reagan said, heroes come when they are needed. Great men step forward when courage seems in short supply. This day is about heroes, but it is about those 41 million american men and women who have stepped forward when courage seems in short supply from the moment the first shots were fired on lexington green. It is our duty never to fail nor forsake them. It is now my high honor [applause] it is now my high honor and distinct pleasure to introduce to you the father of a marine corps aviator, a man who has spent his career making sure that those who have answered the call to the colors are treated with the respect and reverence they deserve. It is my great honor to introduce the Vice President of the United States, the honorable mike pence. [applause] vice pres. Pence thank you all. It is the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. 100 years ago on this day, America First celebrated armistice day, marking the anniversary of the day in 1918 when the guns of world war i fell silent. There is a day in may when we remember those who served and did not come home. But today, all across america, in gatherings large and small, in cities and towns, we pause to remember all those who served in uniform and did come home. It is veterans day in america. [applause] Vice President quayle, secretary esper, secretary wilkie, secretary de vos and scalia, to congressman to condo, commander kowalski, director durhamaguilera, distinct distinguished americans and it is anthered here, honor to be with you all, but most especially, it is a high honor for me to stand before you in this special place among men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of america, today, and our veterans who serve our nation in uniform in ages past. [applause] it is my great honor to welcome you here to Arlington National cemetery for the 2019 National Veterans day observance. I am grateful that you all would make time, as millions of americans will do across this nation, to honor all those who served. The bible tell us, if you owe debts, pay debts. If honor, then honor. If respect, then respect. Today, here in arlington and all across the nation, americans gather to pay a debt of gratitude to the generations who have answered the call to serve in the armed forces of the United States. It is also my honor to be here on behalf of a great champion of our armed forces and of every veteran across this nation, so allow me to begin by bringing greetings and gratitude from the 45th president of the United States, president donald trump. [applause] this morning, our president made history, becoming the first president ever to kick off the annual veterans day parade in new york city. But though he is in new york, i know his heart is here, with all of you and every Veterans Day Service across the country. As the president said just moments ago, in his words, today, we come together as one nation, to salute the veterans of the United States armed forces, the greatest warriors ever to walk the face of the earth. [applause] as the president said, you risked everything for us. Now it is our duty to serve you, and serving and protecting our veterans, and keeping our promises to our veterans, we will do every day of our lives. [applause] so to all the veterans gathered here as well as all of those looking on, from the heart of a grateful nation, thank you for your service. We are proud of you. [applause] every single one of you. Just as you fought for us, i promise you, this president , this bites Vice President and this administration, will always fight for you. [applause] , theesident trump has said spirit of strength lives within the heart of every american warrior. That spirit has helped our ,ighters defeat tyrants vanquish communism and facedown terrorism. And so he rightly said. Our first president said in his farewell orders to the continental army, these words. The unparalleled perseverance of the armies of the United States, through almost every possible suffering and discouragement for the space of eight long years, was little short of a standing miracle. So said george washington, and so it can be said of every veteran throughout the long and storied history of this nation. [applause] you are a standing miracle. From bunker hill to bella wood, from San Juan Hill to saipan,rom the coral reef to kandahar nearly 50 million men and women have donned the uniform in the United States and nearly 20 million of you still walk among us today. As we speak, a new generation of american heroes and veterans is being forged around the nation and around the world. , it is alook out today truly humbling sight. I see men and women who served in world war ii, in the korean iraq andietnam, afghanistan. I see many more whose to watch over our country in times of peace. , if you havele worn the uniform of the United States of america, would you please stand and give us one more opportunity to show the gratitude of this nation for your service . [applause] thank you for your service. It truly is humbling to be with all of you. Our veterans dont consider themselves heroes. To speak to them, most of them reject the thought of it. Most of them say, as Iraq War Veteran Army specialist Christopher Gamblin said not justgo, and i quote, some guy who did his job. My dad, a combat veteran from the korean war, used to say with equal humility, the heroes were the guys that didnt make it home. But on this day, it is our job to set the record straight. Every veteran of the armed forces of the United States is a hero to the American People. [applause] v. P. Pence and on this day, it is our duty to tell your story, the story of what you did for us and what you did for our country, and all you did to ensure the survival and success of liberty. Our veterans have distinguished themselves in combat. Like a man who joined me on this occasion two years ago. 38 years ago this march, he was serving his country in vietnam. Back then, he was a First Lieutenant in the army, 92nd artillery. First battalion. One morning, he woke to a massive north vietnamese attack on a hilltop outpost. He and his brothers in arms were heavily outnumbered. It took just minutes for the enemy to break through their defenses. But this First Lieutenant rallied. He rallied his brothers to stand their ground. He ordered air and artillery strikes from what would later be described as a dangerously exposed position, for four straight hours. As the situation worsened, he personally directed the withdrawal and provided covering fire to ensure his brothers in arms safety, and to inflict maximum damage on the enemy. He actually called in an artillery strike on his own position. Wounded himself, he managed to evade detection for eight long days, until he was rescued by American Forces that retook the outpost. For his conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, he received, of course, the medal of honor. Would you join me in thanking a true american hero, medal of honor recipient First Lieutenant brian thacker. [applause] lt. Thacker thank you, sir. V. P. Pence thank you, brian. Its an honor. Lt. Thacker it is an honor to be here. [applause] v. P. Pence so we remember those who served in combat, but on this veterans day we also do well to remember that our veterans contributions continue long after you come home. They continue to serve our country in civilian life. You lead in business, in education, and law enforcement, and Public Service at every level. And wherever you go, you do what you always did when you were serving in uniform. Our veterans show the same sense of duty and courage that defined your years in the armed forces. For a veteran of the United States armed forces, service does not end when they hang up the uniform. Service is a lifelong calling. [applause] v. P. Pence like a marine sergeant who joins us here today, during his time in uniform, he was in the second battalion, fifth marines. But after he came home, went to college, played a little football, played in the orange bowl, got a masters degree, and then joined the v. A. , and for the last 10 years, he has worked tirelessly to fulfill the words of our nations 16th president , to care for them that shall have borne the battle. Would you join me in thanking Sergeant Matt webb for a lifetime of service to america. [applause] webb thank you so much. Thank you. [applause] v. P. Pence serving our veterans in meeting their needs, and we thank you, sergeant, for continuing that service. And as i stand before you today, i can tell you from my heart not i couldnt be more proud to be Vice President to a president who cares so deeply about the men and women of our armed forces, and every veteran in america. [applause] v. P. Pence since the first day of our administration, President Trump has taken Decisive Action to make sure america keeps the solemn promises we have made to each and every one of you, and all of our nations heroes. Veterans benefits are not entitlements. They are the ongoing compensation for Services Rendered in the uniform of the United States. [applause] v. P. Pence and under this president s leadership, we have been working to keep those promises. He passed the most sweeping reforms at the v. A. In more than 50 years, and veterans choice is now available to every veteran in america. [applause] and to end an era of heartbreaking abuse and neglect, President Trump also signed the v. A. Accountability and whistleblower protection act, to ensure that our veterans receive the highest quality of care in the v. A. System. And under our administration, we fired more than 8000 employees for negligent behavior, and the wait times for patients have dropped by 33 . In fact, the wait times are shorter at the v. A. Than they are in the private sector medical system. [applause] that is how you do it for our heroes. And as our 40th president once said, veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, because you have suffered the scars of war. The truth is that not all the wounds of war are visible. Often, after they come home, or our combat veterans struggle with the weight of having defended our freedom on the field of battle. That is why at the president s direction, we have increased funding for Mental Health services by almost 9 billion. The v. A. Is now providing Mental Health screenings to every patient who walks through the door. [applause] and to all of our heroes gathered here, and to all of those looking on, let me say let me say from the heart, if you are a veteran who is struggling with a return to civilian life, or if you have a Family Member or a friend or a neighbor who you know is similarly burdened, just know that there is help available today. And just as you were there for us, we will be there for you, to see you through this time. [applause] v. P. Pence so we have been providing for the practical needs of those who serve, but also, from the first day of this administration, this president has taken steps to ensure our returning veterans can live the American Dream they fought so nobly to defend. In fact, President Trump signed legislation to expand the post 9 11 g. I. Bill so that veterans can get up to 24,000 to attend the college of their choice at any point in their lives. And three months ago, President Trump directed the department of education to eliminate every last penny of student debt owed by a permanently disabled veteran. With the stroke of a pen, the president wiped out 750 million owed by more than 25,000 heroes. And thanks to the president s leadership, not only are we making education more available, more affordable for our veterans, but our returning veterans are also coming back to an American Economy that is booming, and veteran unemployment is at a 19year low. [applause] v. P. Pence on this veterans day, we honor those who served. Like all of you gathered here. We honor you with tributes, and promises kept. But as our veterans understand better than most, we also honor your service by ensuring that the men and women in our armed forces today have the resources and the support that they need to accomplish their mission and defend this nation, and this we have done. [applause] v. P. Pence as they proved just two weeks ago, in a raid that took out the worlds number one terrorist leader, the United States armed forces are the greatest force for good the world has ever known. And i am proud to report to all of the veterans gathered here, and those looking on, that from the first day of his administration, President Trump has taken action to make the Strongest Military in the history of the world stronger still. This president has actually signed the largest investment in our National Defense since the days of ronald reagan, including the largest pay raise for our armed forces in more than 10 years. And i will make a promise to all the veterans gathered here. Under this president s leadership, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guard will always have the resources and the support that they need so help us god. [applause] v. P. Pence so it is veterans day in america, the day we honor all of you who stepped forward, and answer the call to defend this nation at home and abroad. You came from the rest of us, but we know you are the best of us. And on this day and every day, we honor your courage, your patriotism, and what you have done for us. You put on the armor. You stood in the gap. You defended our freedom. You counted our lives more important than your own. You stood for a cause greater than yourselves. Nine years ago this month, a 21yearold marine was serving our country in afghanistan. History records he was on top of a house with his fellow marine, looking out at a village around him, when all of a sudden an insurgent through a grenade on the roof, and without a moments hesitation, he threw himself on the grenade and absorbed the impact of the blast. He suffered terrible injuries. Every part of his body that was not protected was injured face, neck, thigh, foot, lung. But somehow, he survived. While he was being treated, he went into cardiac arrest three times. He has undergone more than 70 procedures during 40 separate surgeries. But people who know him know that that had not slowed him down. Today, he is a published author, popular speaker, a marathon runner. And his faith in god and his patriotism has been an inspiration to millions. And i promise you and him that the American People will never forget or fail to honor the service of the youngest living recipient of the medal of honor, Corporal Kyle carpenter. What a great american. [applause] v. P. Pence i mentioned kyle because of his heroism, because of what he said not long ago. He wrote a memoir of his life. When told a story of the day he got into an uber on his way to an airport he started chatting with the driver. He said they talked about their lives. He shared that they had been through, serving our country. And as the conversation wound down, as it does for so many of you veterans, the driver turned and looked at him and said those words that he often hears. Thank you for your service. But in that moment, corporal gave a reply that surprised even him. He looked at the driver after he heard those words, and he said, youre worth it. As he wrote later, he wondered to himself, why did i say that . Then he realized, in his words, in that moment i wanted him to know that his family, his freedom, his rights, the simple fact that he was a human being meant that he was worth sacrificing for, and that is what i have come to realize, serving in the military means. [applause] v. P. Pence it was a small moment, but with a big meaning. In a single sentence, the Lance Corporal carpenter captured the spirit of every veteran. I could see it in the faces sitting before me as i recited those words in the gentle nods that so many of you just gave. When you put on the uniform of the United States, you said, we are worth it, that our freedom is worth it, and america is worth it. And on this day on behalf of your president and a grateful nation, thank you. Thank you for considering us worthy of your all, in service of this country. [applause] v. P. Pence so, it is veterans day in america. To my fellow americans who did not serve in uniform, i have a challenge for you today. I challenge every american who did not follow a calling into service, before the day is out, whether at home or at work, on the street corner, over a backyard fence, find a veteran. Whether they came home the last week or in the last century, extend your hand and say those words that they never asked to hear, but they deserve to hear every day. Find a veteran today, and say, thank you for your service. Every single one of you deserve to hear it every day. Thank you for the honor of addressing you in this special place. God bless our veterans and their families. God bless our fallen. God bless the men and women who serve in the armed forces of the United States today. And may god continue to bless the United States of america with heroes like all of you. Thank you. [applause] four more years [cheers and whistling] ladies and gentlemen, please stand and join the United States army band, pershings own, and army chorus in singing God Bless America. God bless america land that i love stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above from the mountain to the prairie to the ocean white with foam God Bless America my home, sweet home God Bless America my home, sweet home [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as we retire the colors. Please place yha heart, or render a hand salute. Retire the colors [applause] this concludes the 2019 National Veterans day observance. Please be seated for the departure of the Vice President of the United States and the official party. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate and honor all those who served. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2019] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] watch the cspan network all week. The house intelligence committees will hold their first public impeachment hearings led by chairman adam schiff will r from three state department officials. The top u. S. Diplomat in the secretary willt testify. On friday at 11 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan2, former u. S. Ambassador to ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch will give witness testimony from a deposition. Find the transcripts at www. Cspan. Org impeachment