Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome mr. Norburt ryan, jr. [ applause ] mr. President , mr. Vice president , secretary and mrs 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 at tend dance 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 years ceremony, a first in our 86year history of providing Servant 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 membersov member of the armed forces. Thankfully, honor, valor, and love of country have always been the defining characteristics of americas military, from bunker hill to the mountains in afg
We are going to have a great conference. This morning, we heard a anthemul version of our by katie huffman. Her credits and awards are far too numerous to list here. She has starred on stage and television. She is best known for her role as ula in the smash hit the producers, and she remains one of broadways bright stars. But she is also a passionate advocate for veterans. When i called katie and asked her to come share her talent with us here today and i told her what you all were up to, if myaid, and i quote, little boys can help in any way, of course i will be there. After you heard her this morning, we all know she doesnt have a little voice. But katy wanted to be here, and ladies and gentlemen, ooa purrington,n please welcome back to the stage my friend, miss katie huffman. [applause] music plays] nine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored he has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sw
Mr. Russell i had the privilege to task the command force one to two. 122. 2003 2 2004. In and we got involved largely due to geography. It was not something that, you know, where we thought that specifically we would go find saddam. We were in Infantry Battalion task force that was occupying his hometown. And it became readily apparent very quickly that saddam was probably being harbored there. We got incredible information, and we began to work that. We work to that with a number of other teams, two special Operation Forces teams, and evolved from the ground up a lot of our own intelligence. My commander, colonel jim hickey, he was a marvelous warrior. ,eneral the chief of staff he was our commander in the fourth infantry division. So those were my two immediate commanders. They gave me great attitude, and im very grateful for not only their bravery, but also their trust. And we Work Together as a team. My unit was not the only one involved, but it was one of about half a dozen. And
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 starspangled 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 nations 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
Still, the unacceptable problems that weve 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 mcdonald 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 were not going to let up. [applause] president obama our tributes today will also ring hollow if we dont provide our veterans with the jobs and opportunities that you need when you come home. Thats why weve helped more than 1. 5 million veterans and their families pursue an education under the post9 11 g. I. Bill. Thats why we work to make sure that every state now provides veterans and their families with instate tuition. Thats why we are fighting to make it e