The Defense Department held a farewell ceremony to honor outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Secretary Gates received the highest military salute and President Obama awarded him the Medal of Freedom, the most distinguished civilian honor. In remarks, President Obama said Secretary Gates' greatest legacy is that soldiers knew he "had their backs" during foreign deployments and once they returned home from war zones. Secretary Gates stated his term as defense secretary was the greatest honor of his life and that the service of soldiers will continue to weigh heavily on his mind.