History. He talked about the origins and history of the medal of honor. You will find all of those and many others at cspan. Org. Joe biden participates in the annual three playing the veterans day ceremony at the tomb of the unknowns. The Vice President and Robert Mcdonald spoke at the ceremony. This is 45 minutes. Present which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [national anthem playing] order. Right shoulder. [taps playing] 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 watch the colors, the band will play. Please place your hand on your heart or salute. There will be a prayer and the pledge of allegiance. Forward, march. Let us pray. Almighty god, we invoke your presence and we ask that your blessings may come on us as we gather here in our nations most hallowed Memorial Garden of heroes to honor our nations veterans. We thank you for veterans of generations past and present who served both during times of war and peace. Many of whom are bearing the physical, spiritual, visible and invisible wounds of war. We celebrate them for their faithful service in defending and preserving freedom for us all. We are grateful for our national and state Veterans Service organizations who many are represented today in this rousing parade of colors. We thank them for their ongoing willingness to support and advocate for veterans every day in so many valuable ways. We as a nation never fail to remember and support those who made the supreme sacrifice above and beyond to secure for our nation the blessings of life, liberty, and justice for all. God bless america, god be with our nations leaders, bless the families and friends of those who we honor today, and thank you for giving us so much to celebrate on this veterans day. Amen. Now id like to invite mr. Ron hope, National Commander disabled American Veterans, to lead us in our pledge of allegiance. Please place your hand over your heart. 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 committee. The committee was formed by president ial order in 1954 to hold this annual observance in honor of americas veterans and support veteran day observances throughout the nation. Please hold your applause until i have introduced these special guests. If you will please stand when i call your name. Ron hope, National Commander, disabled American Veterans. Ryan horbert jr. , National President , National Veterans sole and exclusive. Larry canard, National President korean war veterans association. Angel zuniga, National Commander american g. I. Forum. James fender, catholic war veterans of the u. S. A. Al kovak, National President , paralyzed veterans of america. Max well colon, commander jewish veterans of the u. S. A. John stroud, command for the chief, veterans of foreign wars of the United States. James pigeon, National FirstVice Commander amvets. Mark cornell, National President , blinded veterans association. H. Gene overstreet, commander noncommissioned officers association. William bryant, national Vice Commander, the american legion. Patrick little, empowering veterans to lead high quality lives with respect and dignity. Theyre represented today by their National Commander. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome ron hope. [applause] good morning, america. Ladies and gentlemen, families, friends, and most of all my fellow veterans. Im privileged and honored to be here on the hallowed grounds of this beautiful memorial to speak with you today was i proudly served among the ranks of many serving today. Like many of you, i wore the uniform of my country proudly and served a cause greater than myself. The defense of our nations and our of our nation and our freedoms we value so much. Its a special bond all veterans share and its a privilege to share that bond with you on veterans day weekend. Today is special to us. When the country calls, my brothers and sisters and i responded by say, send me. On veterans day we all think about our brothers and sisters, those we served beside, those we led, those with looked up to, and those we lost. For us, veterans day could never be just another day of the year. Military and veteran families are unique in this way. When a wife or husband, son or daughter raises his or her hand and says, send me, theres a great deal of sacrifice involved that most americans cant begin to understand. Our men and women in uniform miss holidays, birthdays and other milestones other families take for granted because Service Members are often called away on duty. Were rapidly approaching the holiday season. Military families often cannot invest the emotional capital of enjoying this time of year that is for most filled with joy, being surrounded by loved ones. It happens all too often in military careers, sometimes the rug gets pulled out from under you. When least expected, orders drop. That, as many of you know, is like a hard kick in the gut. Its no wonder that only onehalf of one percent choose to serve today, but serve they do and they, in my humble opinion are among our nations finest and bravest because they raise their hands and say send me, i will go. When our country calls. Im also proud to be part of a very special group, a group of people who left behind part of themselves while serving our country. Disabled veterans, whether theyre injury is visible or not, reminds us all of the phrase freedom isnt free, its more than just a cliche, its a daily truth we all live with. Thats why im proud to be part of the d. A. V. Disabled American Veterans. We know our heroes want to live fulfilling live lives with respect and dignity. They dont ask for much and that makes it all the more important to keep our promise to our veterans who served. D. A. V. Fights to make sure those promises are met and i urge you to get involve. Lets briefly examine what veterans day means to those who said, send me. Let me share three words with you. Has anyone ever heard of we the people . Americas sons and daughters took an oath, put on american uniforms and have sworn to uphold and defend freedom in dangerous and desolate places. Im very proud, as all veterans should be, when i remind myself that im part of a special group who committed to defend the ideas of our forebears. The concept of hardwon freedom and liberty outlined in our constitution gave birth to what was a profound and radical concept way back in 1789. A government that was responsible to the people who elected it. What about those words, duty, honor, and country . General macarthur said those words, reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, and what you will be. They are your rallying points to build courage when courage seems to fail. To regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith. And do to the create hope when hope becomes forlorn. Because of the words we the people mean something to all american the words duty, honor, and country carry profound meaning to military members and veterans. Committing to serve ones country and community is the single most important undertaking one person can make. I was and still am proud of my military service, but knowing i still advocate for the American Veteran makes me prouder still. Our veterans are part of americas greatest treasure. In my mind, they are the bravest, finest, and ensuring that we can and always will be a nation comprised of we the people. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts with you today and remember that for d. A. V. , every day is veterans day. [applause] thank you, mr. Hope. Please welcome the honorable Robert Mcdonald, secretary of Veterans Affairs. [applause] Vice President biden, medal of honor recipient brian thacker, secretary hagel, secretary perez, secretary castro, and members of your family, senator hirono, senator king, senator cantwell, minority leader pelosi, former secretary of Veterans Affairs jim pique, secretary james, chairman dempsey, general dunford, admiral grinnard, and your spouses, ron hope, disabled American Veterans our cohosts for this years celebration, and other representatives of Veterans Service organizations, dr. And mrs. Summers, thank you for your advocacy on behalf of veterans and god bless the memory of your son daniel. Fellow veterans, members of our armed forces, v. A. Colleagues, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning, everyone. What a great day for honoring veterans. For decades, americans have set aside this hour of this day of this month to honor those who have served this country in uniform. In times of both peace and war. Its fitting that veterans day comes so close to thanksgiving because veterans day is the day to give thanks to and ask the almightys blessings on those who serve and have served the cause of peace. Its also a day of sacred remembrance and its a day of both prayers and promises. We pray and promise that those who have served and are still serving will never be forgotten. That returning warriors will not bear their wounds alone. That their families will receive help and n facing uncertain futures, and that we as a grateful nation will embrace and care for survivors of those who do not return. This year, all of us at v. A. Arrive at todays ceremony of traveling along what we call our road to veterans day. We stepped off this journey more than 90 days ago and the road was built on the foundation of both v. A. s mission and our immediate objective, which is to better serve and care for those who have borne the battle and for their families and survivors. We set three goals for ourselves as we began to move forward. The first was rebuilding trust with veterans and stake holders. Second, improving service delivery, focusing on veteran outcomes. Third, setting v. A. On a course for longterm excellence and reform. We want veterans to know that they do not strive alone. The vision of our president , our Vice President , the leader sipe and support of the congress, the concerted efforts of our Veterans Service organization, the good people of v. A. And the American People are all required to best serve veterans. At v. A. , we are reorganizing for success, perhaps the largest restructuring in the history of the department. We call that reorganization and our Customer Experience solution my v. A. Part of our road to veterans day strategy. Its called my v. A. Because we want veterans to view us as an organization that belongs to them providing quality care in ways they need and want to be served. My v. A. Will entail combining functions, simplifying operations, improving processes, leveraging technology, enhancing efficiency, increasing productivity, and effectively implementing the veterans access choice and accountability act, a 360degree effort to provide veterans with a seamless, integrated and responsive v. A. , regardless of how they come to us. All this is to say that v. A. Must regain and retain a laserlike focus on veterans from the 90yearold who fought across omaha beach to the 19yearold who faced the determined foe in afghanistan. Our goal is simple. To provide quality, timely care and benefits to all generations of veterans. Our special guest today fully shares president obamas commitment to americas veterans. He and his wife, a tremendous supporter of veterans and Service Members in her own right have seen a son off to war and felt the special pride of having a child who shares both the privilege and the responsibility of Wartime Service to our great nation. Ladies and gentlemen, i am deeply honored both professionally and personally to present to you a great advocate for our veteran the Vice President of the United States, joe biden. [applause] thank you very much, mr. Secretary. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Secretary, thank you very much. In the short time you have been in your position, people are beginning to see significant changes. You believe, as i do, that we only have one truly sacred obligation. As a nation, we have a lot of obligations, to the young, to the old, to all, the poor. But theres no obligation thats truly sacred other than the commitment to our veterans. And you carry that with you from your days at west point to today. We appreciate it. To all the distinguished guest s here, let me say, particularly to the gold star families, let me say how much i appreciate the opportunity and privilege of being able to speak here today. Its one of the great privileges a president or Vice President has, to be able to literally speak on this sacred ground. Its the second occasion ive had in my tenure as Vice President. Its a beautiful, beautiful autumn day. The sun is shining, the skies are clear, the temperature is perfect. Nothing like the scorching heat, the bitter cold and intense storms that confronted many of you here today and our troops through every conflict in every age. Todays sunshine is nothing like the scorching heat our veterans endured while battling across the sunbaked coral islands in the pacific and in some cases going days without water. Nothing like the hardships faced by a generation of americans who waded through the rice paddies in vietnam. Nothing compared to the 115degree heat in fallujah as a young warrior climbed into an mrap to show me how it saved his life. Nothing compared to what our young men fought through in 25 below zero degree temperatures in the north korean mountain, pinned down by heavy enemy fire, on the frozen ground, 60 years ago. And nothing compared to the snow and cold that hampered our forces in the argon forest 66 years ago. One of my favorite lines is from a poem, a play, a book by john steinbeck. East of eden. Where cyrus trask describes to his son adam what it means to be a soldier. Heres what it says. He says to his son a soldier is the most holy of all humans because he is the most tested. A soldier must coldly learn to put himself in the way of losing his own life without going mad. If you can bring yourself to face not shadows but real death, described and recognizable, by bullet or saber, then you need never be afraid again. You are, the veterans of america, the most trusted among us, and the most tested of all americans. Collectively, you represent generations of soldier, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guard who have served and sacrificed for all of us. You are not only the heart and soul, but you are the very spine of this nation. And as a nation, we pause today to thank more than 23 million surviving veterans who have so bravely and faithfully protected our freedom. You gave and they gave. And you deserve our thanks. [applause] we stand here today, committed to show our respect, honor, and to recognize our responsibility to care for all our veterans and for those who continue in harms way as i speak to you today. Since 9 11, 3. 5 million women and men have joined the military. With the near certainty of knowing that they would be deployed, and they have, over 2. 6 million of this generation have been deployed to iraq and afghanistan. Some some of you have been deployed multiple times to both places. And more than half of you have returned to civilian life with the honored title of veteran. The 9 11 generation took on a responsibility that extended far beyond base or battlefield. They were prepared to follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell and they did. And they continue as committed. Never before has america asked so much over such a sustained period of all volunteer force. And like so many generations before them, this generation of 9 11 warriors has paid an incredible price. Every day for the past six years, i asked my staff early in the morning to contact the department of defense, to get a detailed report on the number of troops deployed, the number wounded, and the number killed. Not a general number. The exact number every day. Because for every one of those warriors, theres an entire family, an extended family, back in america that has bled or is bleeding. As of this morning, u. S. Troops died in iraq and afghanistan, 6,703. Troops wounded in iraq or afghanistan, 5,168. Troops still deployed, combat in afghanistan, 19,650. Security assistance in iraq, 1,400. Like some of you, ive seen the incredible sacrifices they have made and continue to make. Its been my honor over the last two decades to visit our troops in the field from bosnia to kosovo from iraq to afghanistan, from fallujah to islamabad. Ive never once been failed to be impressed by the grit, the resolve, the patriotism of these young women and men. And every time and ive been accompanied by some of the people behind me every time ive been in the field with them i find myself thinking, if only, if only everyone in america could see what im seeing. Taste what im tasting. Understand what these warriors are doing. And no one knows better than this audience that its not just the veterans thats been asked to sacrifice and serve. Its his or her family. His mother or father, children, especially the husbands and wives. The english poet john milton once wrote, they also serve who only stand and wait. They also serve who only stand and wait. When our son bo, a major in the Delaware National guard, was deployed to iraq for a year, my wife, who is a professor, would leave early for school, id get up and walk into the Little Kitchen in the Vice President s home and without fail id see her standing over the sink with a cup of coffee in her hand, mouthing a prayer that the wife of the adjutant general of the National Guard gave her. Youve all done that you spouses you moms you dads, you children. When theyre deployed. There wasnt three hours that went by that they didnt cross your mind. You all know what its like. And we owe you. We owe you as much as we owe your sons and daughters, your husbands and wives. My jill points out that fewer than 1 of americas population serves in uniform but over 99 of americans owe that 1 so much more than we can ever repay. Its my firm belief that we do owe them. [applause] we have an obligation to care for and equip those who we send to war, and care for them and their families when they come home. As i said earlier, its the only sacred obligation a government has. And were honor bound to keep it. Youre absolutely remarkable, you veterans. Jill and i have visited wounded veterans in hospitals around the world, multiple times from germany, Brooke Army Medical center, walter reed and so many other places. We spend Christmas Day at reed all day. The reason i mention that is youve had the experience i have had. Walking into the room of a Wounded Warrior with his or her family. I always ask the same question. Ive talked to general dempsey about this, hes done the same. Ask the same question, what can i do for you soldier, sailor, marine, airman . What can i do for you . And the answer i get almost every time is stunning. And americans should know it. And you understand it. The answer i most often get is, mr. Vice president , sir, can you get me back to my unit . Mr. Vice president , sir, can you get back to my unit . Ive learned so much. I can help. Jill and i recently hosted a team of Wounded Warriors at our home, several hundred, as they prepared to represent the United States of america in a competition in london called the Invictus Games for Wounded Warriors. And it struck me that there couldnt have been a more appropriate description of the determination and commitment and character shown by all our veterans than these games referred to as the Invictus Games. The poet William Ernest henry wrote a poem called invictus. The last stanza of that poem says, it matters not how straight the gate, how charged the punishment, the scroll, im the master of my fate, im the captain of my soul, im the master of my fate, i am the captain of my soul. Every single generation of veterans throughout our history has been the best that this country has had to offer. Its as true today as it was 200 years ago when a generation of warriors held the ramparts at fort mchenry against the full might of the british navy in the battle of baltimore. As the dawns early light broke following that battle a young lawyer named Francis Scott key looked toward the forts flagpole, asking a simple question does that star spangled banner yet wave . That question and its implications and its aspiration have echoed through every perilous fight thats turned for American Veterans. Did it wave in the hands of the first africanamerican medal of honor recipient as he took that banner from a fallen comrade and charged the ramparts of fort wagner . Did that star spangled banner yet wave over observation post that medal of honor recipient ryan pitts held against machine gunfire in afghanistan . Did that star spangled banner yet wave over six marines atop a mountain in iwo jima . Did that star spangled banner yet wave over american troops in trenches from france, beaches of normandy, jungles of vietnam, streets of fallujah and the valleys of afghanistan . And does that star spangled banner yet wave over every forward position, ship, base, woman and man deployed in the service of our nation today . Does it wave on the front porches of families, waiting out those deployments, silently praying for their warriors safe return. Does it wave over walter reed, fort belvoir, the center for the intrepid, the v. A. Trauma center, and so many other places where american warriors continue their march to recovery . It waves in every school house, firehouse, Little League field where American Veterans serve their community while standing ready. In the guard and reserve. It waves in the hearts of every american long after their time in uniform is through. And in the silent vigil above the row of white headstones here and over there. Ladies and gentlemen, Francis Scott keys questions persist to this day. Does that star spangled banner yet wave, oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . Thanks to all of you veterans, to the unbroken line of warriors who have answered the call, the answer, generation after generation, continues to be yes, now and forever. Because as every adversary in every age who has ever come up against you as learned, american warriors never bend, never break, and never, ever, ever yield. [applause] thats why, as i tell every foreign leader i encounter, its never, never been a good bet to bet against the United States of america. Because we have you. God bless you all and may god protect our troops. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please rise and join the United States marine band 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 mountains to the prairie to the ocean white with foam God Bless America my Home Sweet HomeGod Bless America my Home Sweet Home [applause] complex before the end of the congress. And then jennifer of American University talks about women in politics and the impact the midterm elections on had in women in public office. At plant fry looks made pharmaceuticals. And your phone calls, comments, and tweets. Live at 7 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan. And jackday, tim kaine goldsmith discussed the constitutional role of congress and the executive branch in to combatntervention isis. You can see the event starting at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan2. Cities store goes on the road, traveling to cities to learn about their history and literary life. We partnered for a visit to madison, wisconsin. It is a glorious service. Service for the country. The call comes to every citizen. It is an unending struggle to make and keep government representative. Bob is probably the most important political figure in Wisconsin History and one of the most important in the history of the 20th century of the United States. E was a reforming governor he defined what progressivism is. He was one of the first to use the term progressive to self identify. He was a senator, was recognized by his peers in the 1950s as one of the five greatest senators in american history. He was an opponent of world war i. Stood his ground, advocating for free speech. He was about the people. After the civil war, america a nationadically from of Small Farmers and producers and manufacturers, and by the 1870s, 1880s, we had concentrations of wealth. We had inequality and we had concerned about the influence of money and government. So he spend the later part of the 1890s giving speeches. If you wanted a speaker for your club, he would give a speech. He went to county fairs, every kind of event that you can imagine and built a reputation for himself. He was ready to run for governor, advocating on behalf of the people. One issue was the primary. No more selecting candidates at the convention. Two, stop the interests. Specifically the railroads. Eastern on at noon book tv. And sunday afternoon at 2 00 on cspan3. Joint chiefs of staff chair general Martin Dempsey was the speaker at this years uso servicemember awards gala are in washington. Is a private group providing programs for american troops and their families. This is about one hour. Senior military leaders have a timehonored tradition of partnering with the uso to ensure that our troops receive the support and the services they need. These relationships allow the uso to be part of the attorneys our troops and families take. Im incredibly honored to introduce our next guest, a man of true courage, honor and integrity, a hero who has served in the United States army for nearly 40 years and currently serves as the 18th chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and apparently knows the lyrics to all of Kellie Picklers songs. [laughter] ladies and gentlemen and gentlemen, please welcome general Martin Dempsey. [applause] thanks very much. I would like to begin by saying i do not know the words to red high heels. I dont know where she went but i cannot believe she said that. [laughter] by the way, how hard is it to follow Kellie Pickler . In terms of someone who demonstrates heart and passion and patriotism and compassion and commitment. She is all those things i dont know where you are, kelly, are you back at the table . I dont see her there but how about we give her a round of applause. She might hear it in back. [applause] deenie and i are honored to be back. I mentioned this the last three years that when we put our calendar together for the year, theres just a handful of things we put on the calendar and we dont let anybody knock them off and this is one and its because it is important. Its important for the soul of the force my compliments to the uso in our congratulations to jd and christine for becoming the leaders of this Incredible Organization and you can count on us to be among your biggest fans not only while we served but long after. Thanks for that. Aisha said she thought the commandant of the marine corps had the coolest name frank grass, you might be at the other end of that. Grass . I love you, man but anyway [laughter] every year i throw somebody under the bus and this year it happens to be you. [laughter] over the last week one of the things that continues to surprise me is the way emotions kind of wash over you as the chairman and im sure the Service Chiefs feel the same way. There is always something that captures your imagination, your heart, your soul. And that last week alone, including this event tonight which i will mention in a moment, a week ago i was up at west point with my classmates celebrating our 40th reunion. Yeah, it was unbelievable. One of the things we did is we took a cruise down the hudson river and it had been raining during the day but the rain kind of blew out the bad weather and what we ended up with was an unbelievably crystalclear fall night on this cruise, we saw the Freedom Tower in new york city and we all got some memories of that. All of a sudden, they announced come out on deck because we are about to approach the statue of liberty. We walked out on deck as a group. Math so you know its my 40th anniversary 40th reunion come you can probably tell how old we are but we walked out on deck and im not kidding you the size and the magnitude and the majesty and the beauty of the statue of liberty was just it was aweinspiring. When you think about what it stands for honestly, for a bunch of us who were just telling lies to each other all week about who we were and what we hoped to be, you kind of remember who we are. It was one of those moments so that was on saturday night and today, i went to the passage of command for the United States marine corps where the 35th commandant, jim amos, past command to the 36th commandant, joe dunford, and i will tell you what, i am proud to be a member of the United States army but i also have the privilege of eating chairman of the joint chiefs. If you could see the pride with which those young men and women stood tall and passed in review and were there for this ceremony honoring their outgoing commandant and their new commandant, it just made you want to stand taller and straighter. Its hard to stand straighter at least at my age. But the point is, the pride of the young men and women who served is absolutely inspiring. That is why, jd and all of you who served with the uso, thats why you do what you do because you want to match their pride with your commitment. It was just unbelievable. Here i am again tonight so this is the trifecta for me. One week, three events where you can feel good not only about the military but about the country. Now you can. Lets give the country around of applause. [applause] i already mentioned jd and christine and we want to welcome you by the way, there is nothing on this teleprompter. Everybody else had something on the teleprompter. [laughter] anyway. But jd and christine, welcome aboard as we say, terrific. I also want to mention my teammates, the joint chiefs. Some of them are here tonight and i saw ray odierno and john and some of the vices and the commandant of the marine corps, the guy with the cool name and frank, the not so cool man guy. [laughter] i could not be, honestly, i could not be prouder to be part of that team, the joint chiefs of staff. Weve got a lot going on in case you have not noticed. [laughter] if i had had this conversation with you and with them what, four months ago, we would not be talking about insecurity in europe or this thing called isil and we would not be talking about ebola and here we are. By the way, the joint chiefs and the men and women who serve, we will figure it out. We will figure out what the country needs us to do and we will do it. We will do it well and we are going to keep the country safe [applause] even while we are sitting here tonight, besides the young men and women employed on missions we already know about, weve got people packing their bags to go to europe to reassure our allies or go to iraq or kuwait to make sure that this threat of isil