Secretary mattes Secretary's inky all the members of the cabinet
secretary Wilson
general Dunford general Selva
General, McConville, and we'll call well and Admiral Michael
- director Durham Aguilera
- distinguished members of Congress
And all our honored guests, but most of all
To the men and women of the armed forces
Of the United States of America in to all our veterans who have worn the uniform
of this great nation
Happy Veterans Day
There is a day in the spring when we remember those who served and did not come home
but today
Veterans Day is
the day when all across America in gatherings large and small
We pause to remember those who served and did come home
For nearly a century since the guns of the First World War fell silent
In the eleventh hour of the eleventh day the eleventh month
the American people have observed this day first as Armistice Day and now is
Veterans Day
And I thank you all who are here
And all that are gathered around this nation for continuing
this great tradition and
to our heroes near and far I
bring Veterans Day greetings from a great champion for the men and women who've worn the uniform of our armed forces the
45th President of the United States of America President Donald Trump
At this very moment our president is halfway around the world
But I know his heart is here in this hallowed place and at every Veterans Day service across the country
President Trump asked us to be here at this National Veterans Day ceremony to in his words
Honor all Americans who served in the Army Navy Air Force Marines and Coast Guard in times of war and peace
And to pay due respect
Due respect to those Americans who have passed the torch of Liberty
from one generation to the next
For they surely have and so I say to each and every one of you veterans gathered here
And all of those that might be looking on
We're grateful for your service
We're grateful for your sacrifice
And I'll make you a promise
Just as you fought for us. We will always fight for you
The Bible tells us if you owe debts pay debts if honor then honor if respect then respect
The debt our nation owes those. Who've worn the uniform as a debt we will
Never be able to fully repay
In the hour of our nation's birth our best and bravest a step forward to defend our freedom
the unbroken cord of their service
Stretches back into the myths of American history
from Bunker Hill to Bella wood
From San Juan Hill to Saipan from the coral reef to Kandahar
nearly 50 million men and women
Have donned the uniform of the United States and nearly 20 million still walk among us today
And as we speak a new generation of American veterans is being forged across the wider world
As I look out today?
To humbling sight I see heroes from the Second World War
Korea
Vietnam and more recently from Iraq and Afghanistan and
many more of Washington Times piece
Yesterday in Danang Vietnam our president commemorated the 50th
anniversary of the Vietnam War and met with some of the heroes who fought that war on the very
soil where they fought as
The president said yesterday
We salute our brave Vietnam veterans and recall the sacrifices they made for our freedom and for our nation's strength
some nine million Americans served in those jungles and
More than 58,000 fell in defense of freedom
their names now enshrined on a black
Granite wall not far from here
so to all our Vietnam veterans who are gathered here in the midst of this 50th anniversary I
Say, thank you
and
Welcome halt
And I'm told one of those veterans has come to this ceremony almost every year and is almost always introduced
as he was today, but
I don't think his story has ever been told
And I hope he won't mind too much if I tell it today
36 years ago this March a first lieutenant in the United States, Army
1st battalion 97 artillery
Will get dawn to a massive North Vietnamese attack on a hilltop outpost
He and his brothers were heavily outnumbered it took
Just minutes for the enemy to break through their defenses and the fighting very quickly became hand-to-hand
History records in that moment that that young
First Lieutenant
Rallied his brothers to stand their ground. He ordered air and artillery strikes
from a
dangerously exposed position for four straight hours as
the situation worsened he
personally directed the withdrawal and provided cover fire and to ensure his brother's safety and
to inflict maximum damage on the enemy
He actually called in an artillery strike on his own position
Wounded and unable to escape himself he managed to evade detection for eight long days
Until he was rescued when American forces 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 middle of honor
So would you join me today in?
Thanking a true American hero Medal of Honor recipient first lieutenant Brian Thacker
Our nation owes a debt to our veterans and as I said, it's the debt. We can never fully repay, but on this Veterans Day
We rededicate ourselves to accomplishing just that
And I can assure you since the outset of this administration President Trump has fought tirelessly to fulfill the words
of our nation's 16th president -
To care for him who shall have borne the battle
Working with Secretary Shulkin. We've made the Department of Veterans Affairs already more efficient effective and accountable
Let me be clear
Veterans benefits are not entitlements
They are earned
They are the ongoing
compensation for services rendered in the uniform of the United States of America
Under President Donald Trump, we're keeping the promises that we've made
The men and women who've served in our armed forces
This president has already expanded the veterans Choice Program by more than two billion dollars to give our heroes access to real-time
high-quality health care
And because not all wounds of war are visible
We've improved veterans access to urgent mental health care services and given greater access to telemedicine for our veterans
President Trump has signed the VA
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to ensure that our veterans receive the highest level of service and this president has taken
Decisive action to end a pattern of neglect and mistreatment at the VA. We've already fired, or suspended
over
1,500 VA
employees for negligent behavior
I
Want to assure you as the president has said we will not rest or relent until all
America's great veterans receive the care they so richly deserve
Beyond health care President Trump is also signed legislation to expand the post 9/11 GI Bill and
Eliminate the 15-year limit on benefits for new veterans, so they can pursue an education of their choosing
And I'm glad to report veteran unemployment has already fallen by nearly 40
percent since President Trump was elected
It's lower today than any point since the year 2000, and we're just getting started
You know today our veterans continue to serve our nation in careers
ranging from business to education
from law enforcement to public service and
It seems wherever they go
Their lives are characterized by that same sense of duty and
the courage and selflessness forged
During their years in our armed forces
Earlier this week I heard the remarkable story of one such veteran and I thought I'd share it with you today
On Wednesday
Karen and I traveled to Sutherland Springs, Texas
To meet the families and the victims of the worst attack on a place of worship
in American history
At Brooke Army Medical Center, we stood at the bedside
of a retired US Marine Corps gunnery sergeant named Juan Macias
We spoke to his family as he lay before us recovering from his injuries
But it was from another member of the church that we learned of that veterans
Extraordinary courage last Sunday
Julie workman a registered nurse was also wounded to the First Baptist Church that day
No sooner had the attacker left that she began to treat the wounded
Seeing what lay before her though Julie told me she was momentarily overcome
And that's when Gunny stepped in
Despite having five bullet wounds she told me that Gunny sat up
Looked her in the eye and said you were born for this
Keep your wits about you
Do your job?
She said that's all she needed to hear
Heroism outlives the uniform and her actions and his courage
Undoubtedly saved lives that day. That's an American veteran
On this Veterans Day we honor those who served with tributes and
promises kept
But as our veterans understand better than most we also honor their service by ensuring that
The men and women served in our armed forces today have the resources and support
They need to defend this nation in this day
Our veterans will be glad to know that President Trump has already taken
decisive action to make the strongest military in the history of the world stronger still
This president has already signed the largest increase in military spending in nearly a decade and before this year is out
Will enact the largest investment in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan?
And under President and Donald Trump, I'll make you promise
We're gonna rebuild our military
We're gonna restore the arsenal of democracy, and we will once again give our soldiers sailors airmen
Marines and Coast Guardsmen the resources and training they need
To accomplish their mission and come home safe. That's our promise to all of you
As I close let me say again, how deeply humbling it is for me to stand before so many heroes
For you see I'm a
Secretary shokhin told you
I'm the son of a soldier and
I'm the proud father of a United States Marine, but my life. Never took me into the uniform of the United States
I've never experienced the cost of war on the battlefield or
Had to endure the hardship of time away from home and family that could come with service even in peacetime, but
I've seen enough to know the burden our veterans bear
Is oftentimes a burden that lives far beyond your time in uniform
Sixty-four years ago my dad served in combat in Korea
Second lieutenant Edward je pense was in the US Army
45th Infantry he fought in the Battle of Old Baldy and pork chop hill and he earned a Bronze Star for his courage under fire
Truth is I learned most of that after I grew up
Because dad never talked about the war and that metal stayed in his dresser drawer a
Few years after he died, I was visiting a cousin that he grew up with on the streets of Chicago
And he told me that the war had changed my dad
When I asked him how he said you know before the war your dad was the most happy-go-lucky guy I ever met but
He said after he came back
He was different
And then he said words I'll never forget
He said and I quote
I don't think your dad ever got over the guilt of coming home I
Don't think your dad ever got over the guilt of coming home
You know in those words
In an instant I
Understood every unfinished sentence
Every faraway look on my father's face whenever the war came up
If he talked about it at all he talked about the guys he served with
Guys who didn't get to come home
To marry their sweetheart
Raise a house full of kids
Live their dreams and see the children's children
That's when I understood the the quiet cost of freedom
And the burdens so many of our veterans bear in their hearts
So to all our veterans looking on
Know this
We were with you
You do not carry that burden alone
as
A nation we stand ready to help you shoulder that load
with the compassion
support and prayers of the American people you
Were there for us
Now we are here for you
President Trump said this morning in his words America's veterans. Are this country's greatest national treasure
He said you're the best role models for our youngest citizens a constant reminder of all that's good decent and brave a
Tu I say
No truer words were spoken
This is the land of the free because it's still the home of the brave and you our veterans are our brave
You step forward
You counted Our Lives more important than yours
And we thank God
Who as the psalmist says trained your hands for war gave you the strength to advance against the truth
But also brought you home safe
To your loved ones and a grateful nation
In his proclamation for this Veterans Day President Trump called upon every American to recognize the fortitude and sacrifice of our veterans
But let me
Let me add one challenge
Especially to my
My fellow countrymen who did not serve in the armed forces of the United States
Before this day is out and home or at work
on a street corner or over a backyard fence
Whether they came home in the last week or in the last century
Find a veteran
Extend your hand and say those words they never ask to hear, but deserved it here every day
- my fellow Americans I say
Find a veteran today, and say thank you for your service
Thank them for their courage
Thank them for your freedom
and thank them for doing their part to
preserve this last best hope of Earth
for ourselves and
our posterity
To our veterans on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation I say
Thank you for your service may God bless you and your families
May God bless all those who this day wear the uniform and stand ready
And may God continue to bless
the United States of America
Thank You secretary Shulkin
Secretary mattis secretary Zinke all the members of the cabinet
secretary Wilson
general Dunford general Selva
General, McConville, and we'll call well and Admiral Michael
to director Durham Aguilera
two distinguished members of Congress and all our honored guests, but most of all to
The men and women of the Armed Forces
Of the United States of America in to all our veterans who have worn the uniform
of this great nation
Happy Veterans Day
There is a day in the spring when we remember those who served and did not come home
but today
Veterans Day is
the day when all across America in gatherings large and small
We pause to remember those who served and did come home
For nearly a century since the guns of the First World War fell silent
In the 11th hour of the 11th day the 11th month
the American people have observed this day first as Armistice Day and now is
Veterans Day
And I thank you all who are here
And all that are gathered around this nation for continuing
this great tradition and
to our heroes near and far I
Bring Veterans Day greetings from a great champion for the men and women who've worn the uniform of our armed forces
the 45th President of the United States of America President Donald Trump
At this very moment our president is halfway around the world
But I know his heart is here in this hallowed place and at every Veterans Day service across the country
President Trump asked us to be here at this National Veterans Day ceremony to in his words
honor all
Americans who served in the Army Navy Air Force Marines and Coast Guard in times of war and peace and
To pay due respect
Due respect to those Americans who have passed the torch of Liberty
from one generation to the next
for they surely have
And so I say to each and every one of you veterans gathered here, and all of those that might be looking on
We're grateful for your service
we're grateful for your sacrifice and
I'll make you a promise
Just as you fought for us. We will always fight for you
The Bible tells us if you owe debts pay debts if honor then honor if respect that respect
The debt our nation owes those. Who've worn the uniform is a debt we will
Never be able to fully repay
In the hour of our nation's birth our best and bravest has stepped forward to defend our freedom
the unbroken cord of their service
Stretches back into the mists of American history
from Bunker Hill DiBella wood
From San Juan Hill to Saipan from the coral reef to Kandahar
nearly 50 million men and women
Have donned the uniform of the United States and nearly 20 million still walk among us today
And as we speak a new generation of American veterans is being forged across the wider world
As I look out today?
To humbling sight I see heroes from the Second World War
Korea
Vietnam and more recently from Iraq and Afghanistan and
Many more who've watched in times of peace
Yesterday in Danang vietnam our president commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and met with some of the heroes who?
fought that war on the very
soil where they fought as
The president said yesterday
We salute our brave Vietnam veterans and recall the sacrifices they made for our freedom and for our nation's strength
some nine million Americans served in those jungles and
More than 58,000 fell in defense of freedom
their names now enshrined on a black
granite wall not far from here, so
To all our Vietnam veterans who are gathered here in the midst of this 50th anniversary
No comments:
Post a Comment