| 00:43:1712 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Thank you so much. Please, everybody, be seated. Good morning, everyone. |
| 00:43:2914 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Thank you, Secretary Shinseki, for a lifetime of service to our nation, and for being such a tireless advocate on behalf of America’s veterans, including... |
| 00:43:4331 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
To Rick Delaney; to Vice President Biden; to Admiral Winnefeld; Major General Linnington; our outstanding veteran service organizations; our men and... |
| 00:44:1424 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Each year, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pause –- as a nation, and as a people –- to pay tribute to you. To thank you. To honor... |
| 00:44:3834 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And moments ago, I laid a wreath to remember every service member who has ever worn our nation’s uniform. And this day, first and foremost, belongs... |
| 00:45:1217 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
On behalf of the American people, I say to you that the memory of your loved one carries on not just in your hearts, but in ours as well. And I assure... |
| 00:45:2945 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
For it is in that sacrifice that we see the enduring spirit of America. Since even before our founding, we have been blessed with an unbroken chain... |
| 00:46:1427 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Today, a proud nation expresses our gratitude. But we do so mindful that no ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service.... |
| 00:46:4119 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
When I spoke here three years ago, I spoke about today’s generation of service members. This 9/11 Generation who stepped forward after the towers... |
| 00:47:0027 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
You toppled a dictator and battled an insurgency in Iraq. You pushed back the Taliban and decimated al Qaeda in Afghanistan. You delivered justice... |
| 00:47:2726 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Three years ago, I promised your generation that when your tour comes to an end, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you’ll be welcomed... |
| 00:47:5342 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
This is the first Veterans Day in a decade in which there are no American troops fighting and dying in Iraq. (Applause.) Thirty-three thousand of... |
| 00:48:3518 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
As they come home, it falls to us, their fellow citizens, to be there for them and their families -- not just now but always; not just for the first... |
| 00:48:5335 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
To this day, we still care for a child of a Civil War veteran. To this day, we still care for over a hundred spouses and children of the men who fought... |
| 00:49:2836 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
So long after the battles end, long after our heroes come home, we stay by their side. That’s who we are. And that’s who we’ll be for today’s... |
| 00:50:0452 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
We know the most urgent task many of you face is finding a new way to serve. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to help you find jobs worthy of... |
| 00:50:5649 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
If you find yourself struggling with the wounds of war –- such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injuries -– we’ll be there... |
| 00:51:4526 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
That’s what we do in America. We take care of our own. We take care of our veterans. We take care of your families. Not just by saluting you on... |
| 00:52:1127 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And it’s an obligation that we gladly accept for Americans like Petty Officer Taylor Morris. Six months ago, Taylor was serving our nation in Afghanistan.... |
| 00:52:3819 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
On May 3rd, while out on patrol, Taylor stepped on an IED. The blast threw him into the air. And when he hit the ground, Taylor realized that both... |
| 00:52:5727 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
But as Taylor lay there, fully conscious, bleeding to death, he cautioned the medics to wait before rushing his way. He feared another IED was nearby.... |
| 00:53:2413 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Eventually, they cleared the area. They tended to Taylor’s wounds. They carried him off the battlefield. And days later, Taylor was carried into... |
| 00:53:3731 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Now, Taylor’s recovery has been long. And it has been arduous. And it’s captivated the nation. A few months after the attack, with the help of... |
| 00:54:0827 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
I’ve often said the most humbling part of my job is serving as Commander-in-Chief. And one of the reasons is that, every day, I get to meet heroes.... |
| 00:54:3555 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
I should point out that Taylor couldn’t make it here today because he and Danielle are out kayaking. (Laughter and applause.) In Taylor we see the... |
| 00:55:3014 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
On this day, we thank all of our veterans from all of our wars – not just for your service to this country, but for reminding us why America is and... |
| 00:55:4411 min. |
Obama, Barack - President
God bless you. God bless our veterans. God bless our men and women in uniform. And God bless these United States of America. Thank you very much. |