and their families. his relentless dedication to their safety and well-being. when he cut out dated, unneeded system, he did it because he was trying to free up money for our troops to make sure they had the weapons and the gear that they needed and the quality of life for themselves and their families that they deserve. when our troops in iraq and afghanistan were struggling to defend against roadside bombs, he moved heaven and earth to rush them new body armor and vehicles. that s no exaggeration to say that there are countless americans who are alive today in part because of ash s efforts. when our forces sat down for thanksgiving dinner far from home or as our wounded warriors recovered in the hospital or when our fallen heroes returned to dover, ash was there. often on his own time without any publicity or fanfare and i know that ash will be there for them now as secretary of
and their families who rely on these benefits. but maybe even more acutely, the secretary of defense is headed to dover to meet these remains. this is very unusual. can you put that in context for me, barbara? reporter: well, there are a few times in the past when secretaries of defense have tramped to dover. the president of the united states has traveled to dover to pay their respects to the families of the fallen. but i think, it s fair to say, make no mistake, chuck hagel went today to send a message to washington and bring this matter to public attention. this is very much worth remembering that chuck hagel is a highly decorated, wounded veteran of very heavy combat in the vietnam war himself. these men, despite the politics, feel these issues very deeply about the wounded. and to make clear here, the for centuries, the u.s. government has had a compact with those who serve.