>> president obama took place in a ceremony at arlington national cemetery. joining him are vice president joe biden, robert mcdonald, and ashton carter. afterwards, he made remarks in tribute to veterans and urging american businesses to hire former service members. this is 50 minutes. >> halt! present arms! [the star-spangled banner] ♪ >> order, halt! >> present! [drum roll] [taps] ♪ >> order, halt! ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states. [applause] [hail to the chief] ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the procession of our nation's colors. as we march on the colors, the u.s. army band will play the "national emblem march.' please place your hand over your heart. [national emblem march] ♪ >> please remain standing for prayer for all veterans, delivered by the chaplain, ainociate director of chapli center. >> let us pray. veterans andof nations, you are so awesome and all of your ways. we give you thanks on this veterans day, for the devotion and encourage of all of those who have worn our nation's uniform and offered military service for this country that we can now enjoy such freedom. veteran you for our service organizations. who make every day of the year veterans day. today is a nation, god, we honor veterans -- who protect our american way of life. we honor veterans who suffered from the visible and invisible wounds of war. we honor veterans of laid down their lives for others. we honor their surviving families and the sacrifices they have made. to god, we thank you, for our nation's veterans willing to hardship in war in peacetime. we ask on this veterans day, god, that you would encourage and heal those in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, amending their wounds at home. help us, god, do never forget our comrades listed as prisoners of war and missing in action. help us to bring them and the returning warriors to a joyful reunion and peaceful life at home. give to us your people of this grateful hearts and a united will to honor these men and women. and hold them always in your untiland our prayers, an your world is perfected in peace. and all wars cease. give us all a sense of humor and find something to make a smile, as we remember the good times and celebrate our nation's veterans. amen. >> now i would like to invite junior,ert ryan president of the military association of america, to lead us in the 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 introduce to you, the members of the national committee. the committee was formed by presidential order in 1954, to focus the annual observance on the veterans and to support observances throughout the nation. please hold your applause until i've introduced the special guests. if able, please stand with your name is called. norbert ryan junior, national president, military officer association of america. jane, national president of the polish legion of veterans. larry kinard, korean war veterans association. angel, national commander of american g.i. forum. catholic warord, veterans of the usa. and word meant -- edward demint. ed kovack. commanderom, national of the jewish war veterans. john rowan, president of the vietnam veterans of america. john, commander-in-chief of the veterans of foreign wars of the u.s. james pigeon, national commander. presidenter, national of the blinded veterans association. jr., national commander of the army navy union. overstreet, commander of the noncommissioned officers. david goff, national vice commander of american legion. robert husker, national commander of the military order of purple hearts. virgil, sleek president of the association. richard gore, sr., national commandant of the marine corps league. , executive director of the military chaplain association. william mullen, legion of valor of the usa. mike plummer, deputy legislative director, national association of uniform services. ruth hamilton, commander-in-chief, military order of the world wars. lawrence highland, national president, the retired association. thomas kelly, congressional matter of honor society. jr., disabled american veterans. the associate members of the committee are located to the boxes in my left. i would like to ask the president and national commanders that comprise our associate membership to stand and be recognized. ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing our veteran national leadership with your applause. [applause] >> it is now my pleasure to introduce our veteran organization host for 2015. military officer association of america. moa is the1929, nations largest and most influential association of military officers. with more than 390,000 members, it is the leading voice -- representing active-duty, guard, and reserve as well as retired and former officers in all seven services. moa offers a powerful force, speaking for a strong national defense and equitable treatment for all who serve and have served their country in uniform. moa's network of affiliate chapters across the u.s. actively promotes the concept of lifetime service at the national, state and community , levels. as you can see, they live their motto. at moa, we never stop serving. they are represented today by their national president. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome mr. norbert ryan, jr. [applause] norbert: mr. president, mr. vice president. secretary and mrs. mcdonald. secretary and mrs. carter. members of congress. members of the joint chiefs of staff and spouses. medal of honor recipients. fellow veterans. members of the armed forces. gold star families and other distinguished guests. ladies and gentlemen good , morning and welcome. to all in attendance here and across the country on this most important day, veterans day. it is an honor for the military officers association of america to cohost this year's ceremony, a first in our 86-year history of providing leadership on behalf of the entire military family. today, we join all americans to honor the inspiring shared sacrifice and commitment of past and present members of the armed forces. thankfully, honor, valor, and love of country have always been the defining characteristics of america's military from bunker hill to the mountains of campus in afghanistan. but the battlefield is not the exclusive birthplace of heroism. our nation's heroes are also here at home in the form of the families and loved ones of our returning warriors who provide the care and understanding that enable them to regain a life of normalcy. the individuals who have dedicated their lives to improving the quality of life of veterans in ways big and small. veterans day reminds us that this nation's greatest asset is not our leading-edge technology, rich farmland, or material wealth. no, our nation's greatest treasure is our sons and daughters who served and sacrificed in their nation's uniform. that is why we never stop serving. those who serve or have served. for if we do, we risk breaking the faith that will inspire future generations to serve. thank you for joining us this morning and giving thanks to all those who served. may god bless all veterans and may god always bless the united states of america. thank you. [applause] >> please welcome the honorable robert mcdonnell, secretary of veterans affairs. [applause] mr. mcdonald: mr. president and vice president biden, thank you both for your leadership and your steady, strong advocate for our nation's veterans, service members their families, and , survivors. you have shown respect for our veterans abiding commitment. every day of the year for those , live have served not just on a single day of the year thank , you. medal of honor recipients thomas kelly and brian thacker were honored by your courage and your heroism in battle. secretary carter and your wife, white house chief of staff, administrator mccarthy, united representatives, senators collins, franken, cotton, tell illis, sullivan, your spouses and guests. ambassador rice, chairman dunford, general silva, general grass, general welsh, general miley, admiral richardson, general mellor, all your spouses and guests. other distinguished leaders of the department of defense and military services, former v.a. administrator harry walters, vice admiral norm ryan. military officers association of america, our cohost are this year's celebration and all the representatives of our veterans service organizations. fellow veterans, members of our armed forces, ladies and gentlemen. as many of you know, president obama is scheduled to present the medal of honor to an american soldier tomorrow. captain retired florence gruenberg. tomorrow's ceremony will mark only the 10th time in living service member has received our nation's highest valor award for actions in afghanistan or iraq. seven more were posthumously awarded the medal. at tomorrow's ceremony, president obama will address the specifics of captain grover 's heroism. but let me say that in the worst of circumstances and without hesitation, the captain acted in a manner that saved the lives of many of his comrades. tragically, he could not save them all. when he was informed last month that he would receive the medal of honor, he said, "this metal dal belongs to them. it's my mission to tell everyone . thank you for recognizing me but this does not belong to me. it belongs to them. that's how i'm coping with them mentally. it gives you the opportunity to represent them have their families." he is in dramatic of the service and sacrifices of young men and women from every generation of american veterans. for almost two and a half centuries now they have , selflessly answered the call to arms to preserve and defend the ideas behind the words that are both vision and conscious of our democracy. "we hold these truths to be self-evident. that all men are created equal. that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." each generation has done its part to deliver a strong and free america to the next generation. they have done so with great determination, personal toughness, and willingness to risk it all for others. this veterans day, we want to especially acknowledge those who served in two difficult conflicts. this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of world war ii. and the beginning of our 50th commemoration of the decade-long war in vietnam. to those who fought in both wars, thank you for your selfless service. americans are ever grateful for your sacrifices. the president and vice president understand and value the service and sacrifice of veterans. that is why they have provided strong resources for care and benefits. support of the new g.i. bill to educate the next generation of american leaders. tremendous support to help v.a. drive down the backlog in claims by almost 90% and improve access to quality health care for all veterans. as the president said in his state of the union address this year, as a new generation of veterans come home, we go them -- we owe them every opportunity to live the american dream they help defend. the first lady and dr. jill biden are also unwavering supporters in their own right. they have joined forces to bring the public and private sectors together in support of employment of service members, veterans, and their family members, among many other initiatives. veterans could not ask for stronger advocates and our president, vice president, and their wives. ladies and gentlemen, it is a great personal and professional honor to present to you our commander-in-chief. please join me in welcoming the president of the united states, barack obama. [applause] president obama thank you. : thank you so much. please be seated. thank you. thank you, bob, for your service to our nation. as an army airborne ranger. and your tireless work on behalf of your fellow veterans. to vice president joe biden, general dunford, major general becker, distinguished guests. to our outstanding veterans service organizations and their leadership. to our men and women in uniform. and most of all, to our proud veterans and your families. it is a great privilege to be with you once again. and to captain laurent gruenberg, tomorrow will be my honor to present you with the medal of honor, our nation's highest military decoration. to all of our veterans here today, to veterans across america, whether you served on the beaches of europe, the jungles of asia, the deserts of the middle east. whether you served here at home or overseas, in wartime or in peace. whether you served proudly in the army, navy, air force, marines, or coast guard, you are part of an unbroken chain of patriots who have served this country with honor through the life of our nation. wherese sacred grounds, generations of heroes have come to rest, we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. and today, we gather once more to salute every patriot who was ever proudly wore the uniform of the united states of america. this year as we mark 70 years since our victory in the second world war, we pay special tribute to a generation that literally saved the world. we are joined by several of those heroes, including our oldest known female world war two vet, army lieutenant colonel luda c. mcgrath, who this year turns 108. [applause] there she is. [applause] and i would ask all of our veterans and families of world war ii, if you can stand, please stand or raise your hand so america can thank you one more time. [applause] today, in big cities and small towns across our country, there will be ceremonies around flagpoles and parades down main street to properly express our gratitude and show our appreciation to men and women who serve so that we might live free. it is right that we do so. but our tributes will ring hollow if we stop there. if tomorrow after the parades and ceremonies we roll up the banners and sweep the veterans halls and go back to our daily lives, forgetting the bond between the service of our veterans and our obligations as citizens, we will be doing a profound disservice to our veterans and the very cause for which they serve. this day is not only about gratitude for what they have done for us. it is also a reminder of all that they still have to give to our nation and our duty to them. that's what i want to talk about briefly today. we're in the midst of a new wave of american veterans. in recent years, more than one million of our minute women in uniform, many of them veterans of afghanistan and iraq, have completed their military service and return to civilian life. each year, at least another 200,000 do the same. our 9/11 generation of veterans are joining the ranks of those who have come before, including many of you are veterans of korea and vietnam. our tributes today will ring hollow if we do not ensure that our veterans receive the care that you have earned and that you deserve. the good news is that in recent years, we have made historic investments to boost the v.a. budget, expand benefits, offer more mental health care and improved care for our wounded warriors, especially those with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. theave now slashed disability claims backlog by nearly 90%. we are reducing the outrage of veterans homelessness and have helped tens of thousands of our veterans get off the streets. still, the unacceptable problems that we've seen like long wait times and some veterans not getting the timely care that they need is a challenge for all of us. if we are to match our words with these. and my message to every single veteran, to veterans all across this country is that i am still not satisfied and bob mcdonnell is still not satisfied and we are going to keep investing in the facilities and the physicians and staff to make sure that our veterans get the care that you need when you need it. that is our obligation and we're not going to let up. [applause] our tributes today will also ring hollow if we don't provide our veterans with the jobs and opportunities that you need when you come home. that's why we've helped more than 1.5 million veterans and their families pursue an education under the post-9/11 g.i. bill. that's why we work to make sure that every state now provides veterans and their families with in-state tuition. that's why we are fighting to make it easier for our veterans to get the licenses and certifications to transition the outstanding skills they gained in the armed services to civilian jobs. it's why we are helping more veterans and military spouses find jobs. and today, the veterans unemployment rate is down to 3.9%, even lower than the national average. [applause] but this can't just be a job for government. we all have a role to play. i realize that with less than 1% of americans serving in uniform, the other 99% of folks don't always see and appreciate the incredible skills and assets that our veterans can offer. on this veterans day, here's what i want every american to know. our veterans are some of the most talented, driven, capable people on earth. think about the leadership that they've learned, twentysomethings leading platoons in life or death situations. the cutting-edge technology that they've mastered. their ability to adapt to changing and unpredictable situations. they can perform under pressure. they've helped reconstruct town's and mediate disputes. they've managed large-scale projects, learned how to work on teams, stay committed to a mission, solve seemingly intractable problems, they get stuff done and they are selfless and they are brave and they are qualified and america needs folks who know how to get stuff done. [applause] if you can save a life on the battlefield, you can save a life in an ambulance. if you can oversee a convoy or millions of dollars of assets in a conflict zone, you sure can help manage a company supply chain. if you can maintain the most advanced weapons in the world, surely you can manufacture the next generation of advanced tech here at home. they may have put away their uniforms but they are not finish ed serving their country. that includes wounded warriors who tell me they want to keep , serving again. they are exactly the kind of people we need to keep america competitive in the 21st century. and that's why more companies are hiring veterans. not out of charity. not out of patriotism or some moral obligation, although they do have those obligations. but because they know it's good for their bottom line. every day our veterans help keep america strong. every day. responding to natural disasters here at home and around the world, working to end homelessness and get more of their brothers and sisters in arms the resources they need to transition into civilian life. they are starting their own businesses. like the veterans who started a coffee shop that's so good my own staff voted to have it served in the white house. [applause] we consume a lot of coffee in the white house. to my staff, those guys are pretty heroic. our veterans are moms and dads. teachers and doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, social workers and community leaders. they are serving in statehouses across the country, serving in congress. we have a proud veteran, retired navy captain scott kelly, commander of the international space station up there right now. just became the american astronaut to serve the longest consecutive flight in space. [applause] our veterans are already making america great every single day. so my message today is simple. if you want to get the job done, hire a vet. if your business needs team players, who knows how to execute an idea, hire a veteran. if your school system needs dedicated passionate teachers, hiring veteran. if you are a nonprofit who need leaders i can follow through on a vision, hire a veteran. every sector, every industry, every community can benefit from the incredible talents of our veterans. they are ready to serve and they will make you proud. [applause] i want to just give you one example. a young woman named jennifer madden. jen joined the army at 17 years old. she wanted to be just like her grandpa, a korean war veteran. her very first day of basic training was september 11 2001. she deployed to afghanistan, where she pulled security details during attacks. she lost one of her close friends in combat. when she came home, she tried to get back into her old life, but she found she simply couldn't stay focused in school or at work. she was struggling to relate to her family and friends. soon, she was self-medicating and became homeless. jen felt like she had lost her mission. her sense of purpose. but then, thanks to an organization that connects veterans with therapists who donate their time, jen was able to get counseling at no charge. she started dealing with her ptsd. with a lot of hard work, she started pulling her life back together. and today, jen and the love of her life josh are raising two beautiful children. she is a licensed nurse. she works at a rehab facility helping folks who are just like , her. including veterans get back on their feet. and to michelle and jill biden's joining forces initiative, she is an advocate for her fellow veterans. jen is here today and i want jen to stand if she can because i want everybody to thank her for her current, for example, her telling her story. we are extraordinarily grateful. thank you, jen. [applause] and i tell jen's story because like all our brave women in , uniform, jen represents the best of who we are as a nation. she has sacrificed for us and sometimes has the scars seen and unseen that are part of that sacrifice. and she is an example of what's possible when we express our gratitude not just in words, not just on one day, but through deeds every day. when we open our hearts and give hope to our returning heroes. and we harness your talents and your drive and when we honor your inherent sense of purpose and empower you to continue you love.e country what has always made america great, what has always made us exceptional, are the patriots , who generation after generation dedicate themselves to building a nation that is stronger, freer, a little more perfect. on this day and every day. we thank you. god bless our veterans and your families and god bless the united states of america. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise and join the united states army band in singing "god bless america." ♪ god bless america land that i love stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above. from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans 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. retire the colors. ♪ ol' flag] ♪and [applause] >> this concludes the 2015 national veterans day observance. please be seated for the departure of the president of the united states. thank you for joining us today as we celebrate and honor all , who served. [applause] ♪ [applause] announcer: tonight on c-span, more events on issues related to veterans. next, the issue of the veterans treatment court for addiction and health issues. then our profile of two freshman representatives who served in the military, seth moulton of massachusetts. and steve russell of oklahoma. >> on the next washington arias on alma federal appeals court blocking is an obamas action on immigration. then former homeland security secretary tom ridge looks at new threats to the u.s., including cyber where the electrical grid. friedmant, dr. thomas for the centers of disease control and prevention discusses and reported 25% increase in multistate food warned outbreaks. plus your phone calls, facebook comments, and tweets. live at 7 a.m. eastern on c-span. persons having business before the supreme court of the united states, give your attention. > our country faces a grave danger. we are faced with the possibility that at midnight tonight, the steel industry will be shut down. we are taking two actions and i. first, i am directing the secretary of commerce to keep them operating. states952, the united was involved in a military conflict with north korea. and at home, a dispute between the steel industry and its union had come to a head. >> the korean war was a hot war. and they needed steel for munitions, for jeeps and tanks. all of those things you needed in the second world war, as well. went on anndustry industry-wide strike, that was going to be a big problem. the army and navy needs them to fight a war. >> to avoid disruption of steel production, president harry truman sized control. the strike was called off and production continued. companies,e steel led by youngstown, ohio, disagreed with the action and took the lawsuit all the way to the supreme court. supremelook how the court ruled in the case, and the impact on presidential powers. join our discussion. rdt and william howell. congressional checks on presidential war powers, that is coming up on the next landmark cases. live, monday at 9 p.m. eastern on c-span, c-span3, and c-span radio. for background on each case while you watch, order your copy of the landmark cases companion book -- available for $8.95 plus shipping on c-span.org. >> next, the veterans treatment court -- a look at the use of the court as an alternative to incarceration for treating veterans with addiction and mental health issues. this is about two hours. >> >> thank you and welcome to the third annual vet con. this is the largest corps con ever. it is a privilege to stand in the presence of so many dedicated criminal justice professionals, veterans, service members and supporters of veterans treatment courts. it's inspiring to witness what a talented, committed group of people can accomplish. and most of all, it is an honor to be in the presence of so much passion, so much commitment, and so much heart. it is all of these qualities , remarkable and all of you, that is making justice for america's veterans a reality. i'm excited about the next four days of education, advocacy, and innovation we will all share together. i would like to welcome our friends here today representing the nation's leading veterans organizations. thank you for your support here today. >> i want to offer a special welcome to the volunteer veteran mentors in the audience who will be attending the seventh mentor corps boot camp. our largest boot camp class ever. thank you for continuing your service to this nation as a mentor to your fellow veterans. thank you. [applause] >> we are excited to share the stage with you on thursday when you will be sworn in as the justice for vets national veteran mentor corps. bae systems me thank for their generous support. stems.you, bae sy [applause] >> i would like to take a moment to acknowledge all the active-duty and reserve and national guard service members, veterans, and their families who are with us today. we also want to keep close in our hearts and minds all the members of the armed forces on whose shoulders the security of our nation rests. whether it is here at home or abroad. justice for vets leads the national effort to champion veterans treatment courts. it is our honor to serve you nationally and locally. there is strength in numbers and this year, we come together as a field stronger than we have ever been. last year, i stood before you and said that we collectively are helping over 7000 veterans. today, i'm proud to stand before you and report that we are helping more than 11,000 veterans. [applause] >> 11,000 veterans who would otherwise be incarcerated are receiving life-saving treatment in veterans treatment courts all across this country thanks to you and the work being done every single day. nearly 20 states have passed legislation relating to veterans treatment courts and governors from texas to missouri, north carolina to oklahoma have made veterans treatment a vital part of their legislative agenda. on capitol hill, veteran treatments court has garnered massive bipartisan support which has led to record funding. but what is perhaps the most exciting is the fact that veteran treatments courts have permeated the public consciousness. the impact you have far extends beyond the courtroom. it can be found around the dinner tables, where our graduates and their families gather. in the hallways and universities and colleges where our graduates are working towards their futures. at local businesses where veterans treatment court graduates are among the most trusted and valued employees. it is present every time and veteran mentor finds a sense of belonging by being of service to a fellow veteran. with our success comes tremendous responsibility. we must double down our efforts to expand veterans treatment courts. together we must put a veterans , treatment court within reach of every veteran in need. and that means expanding capacity of existing programs , implementing a new veterans treatment courts and committing to evidence-based practices and seeking new opportunities for collaboration. that is what we are doing here this week. i'm excited about the credible agenda we have put together for you. over the next four days, the sessions will cover key issues facing veterans treatment courts and justice involved veterans. this week is not just about the sessions. throughout the conference, there will be discipline specific breakouts. so you will have the opportunity to learn from one another. tomorrow, we will have two general sessions to choose from. the amazing brian meyer is back to present on the complex interaction of ptsd, pain and substance abuse. and we will screen the critically acclaimed documentary "that which i love destroys me." which will be followed by an engaging panel discussion. on wednesday morning, we will gather right here in this room at 8:00 a.m. to kick off capitol hill day. this is our greatest opportunity to tell our members of congress to support increased funding for veterans treatment courts. so i hope you will all be there because we all know how critical this is to the success of these programs. if you're able to on wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., come by the building on capitol hill and sit in on a briefing i will be hosting on veterans and substance abuse. you will not want to miss the kickoff here 8:00 because it will feature the hilarious alonzo. thursday, we will close with an inspiring ceremony.