Remarks by the President presenting the Medal of honor to Sergeant first class Leroy Arthur Petry

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

East Room

2:23 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Chaplain Rutherford.  Please be seated.  Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the White House as we present our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, to an extraordinary American soldier —- Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry.

This is a historic occasion.  Last fall, I was privileged to present the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta for his heroism in Afghanistan, and Sal joins us this afternoon. Where's Sal?  Good to see you.  

So today is only the second time during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq —- indeed, only the second time since Vietnam —- that a recipient of the Medal of Honor from an ongoing conflict has been able to accept this medal in person.  And having just spent some time with Leroy, his lovely wife Ashley, their wonderful children, in the Oval Office, then had a chance to see the entire Petry family here -- I have to say this could not be happening to a nicer guy or a more inspiring family. 

Leroy, the Medal of Honor reflects the deepest gratitude of our entire nation.  So we’re joined by members of Congress; Vice President Biden; leaders from across my administration, including Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill Lynn; and leaders from across our Armed Forces, including the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Jim “Hoss” Cartwright, Army Secretary John McHugh, and Army Chief of Staff General Marty Dempsey.

We're honored to welcome more than 100 of Leroy’s family and friends, many from his home state of New Mexico, as well as his fellow Rangers from the legendary Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.  And as always, we are humbled by the presence of members of the Medal of Honor Society.

Today, we honor a singular act of gallantry.  Yet as we near the 10th anniversary of the attacks that thrust our nation into war, this is also an occasion to pay tribute to a soldier, and a generation, that has borne the burden of our security during a hard decade of sacrifice.

I want to take you back to the circumstances that led to this day.  It’s May 26, 2008, in the remote east of Afghanistan, near the mountainous border of Pakistan.  Helicopters carrying dozens of elite Army Rangers race over the rugged landscape.  And their target is an insurgent compound.  The mission is high risk.  It’s broad daylight.  The insurgents are heavily armed.  But it’s considered a risk worth taking because intelligence indicates that a top al Qaeda commander is in that compound. 

Soon, the helicopters touch down, and our Rangers immediately come under fire.  Within minutes, Leroy -- then a Staff Sergeant -- and another soldier are pushing ahead into a courtyard, surrounded by high mud walls.  And that’s when the enemy opens up with their AK-47s.  Leroy is hit in both legs.  He’s bleeding badly, but he summons the strength to lead the other Ranger to cover, behind a chicken coop.  He radios for support.  He hurls a grenade at the enemy, giving cover to a third Ranger who rushes to their aid.  An enemy grenade explodes nearby, wounding Leroy’s two comrades.  And then a second grenade lands -- this time, only a few feet away. 

Every human impulse would tell someone to turn away.  Every soldier is trained to seek cover.  That’s what Sergeant Leroy Petry could have done.  Instead, this wounded Ranger, this 28-year-old man with his whole life ahead of him, this husband and father of four, did something extraordinary.  He lunged forward, toward the live grenade.  He picked it up.  He cocked his arm to throw it back.

What compels such courage?  What leads a person to risk everything so that others might live?  For answers, we don’t need to look far.  The roots of Leroy's valor are all around us.

We see it in the sense of duty instilled by his family, who joins us today —- his father Larry, his mother Lorella, and his four brothers.  Growing up, the walls of their home were hung with pictures of grandfathers and uncles in uniform, leading a young Leroy to believe “that’s my calling, too.”    

We see it in the compassion of a high school student who overcame his own struggles to mentor younger kids to give them a chance.  We see it in the loyalty of an Army Ranger who lives by a creed:  "Never shall I fail my comrades.”  Or as Leroy puts it, “These are my brothers —- family just like my wife and kids —- and you protect the ones you love.”  And that’s what he did that day when he picked up that grenade and threw it back —- just as it exploded.

With that selfless act, Leroy saved his two Ranger brothers, and they are with us today.  His valor came with a price.  The force of the blast took Leroy’s right hand.  Shrapnel riddled his body.  Said one of his teammates, “I had never seen someone hurt so bad.”  So even his fellow Rangers were amazed at what Leroy did next.  Despite his grievous wounds, he remained calm.  He actually put on his own tourniquet.  And he continued to lead, directing his team, giving orders —- even telling the medics how to treat his wounds.

When the fight was won, as he lay in a stretcher being loaded onto a helicopter, one of his teammates came up to shake the hand that Leroy had left.  “That was the first time I shook the hand of someone who I consider to be a true American hero,” that Ranger said.  Leroy Petry “showed that true heroes still exist and that they're closer than you think.” 

That Ranger is right.  Our heroes are all around us.  They’re the millions of Americans in uniform who have served these past 10 years, many -— like Leroy -— deploying tour after tour, year after year.  On the morning of 9/11, Leroy was training to be a Ranger, and as his instructor got the terrible news, they told Leroy and his class, “Keep training, you might be going to war.”  Within months Leroy was in Afghanistan for the first of seven deployments since 9/11.  

Leroy speaks proudly of the progress our troops have made  -— Afghan communities now free from the terror of the Taliban and Afghan forces that are taking more responsibility for their security.  And he carries with him the memories of Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make this progress possible.

Earlier in the Oval Office, Leroy gave me the extraordinary privilege of showing me the small plaque that is bolted to his prosthetic arm.  On it are the names of the fallen Rangers from the 75th Regiment.  They are, quite literally, part of him, just as they will always be part of America. 

One of those names is of the Ranger who did not come back from the raid that day —- Specialist Christopher Gathercole.  Christopher’s brother and sister and grandmother are here with us today.  I would ask that they stand briefly so that we can show our gratitude for their family’s profound sacrifice.  (Applause.)     
Our heroes are all around us.  They’re the force behind the force —- military spouses like Ashley, who during Leroy’s many deployments, during missed birthdays and holidays, has kept this family Army Strong.  So we’re grateful to you, Ashley, and for all the military spouses who are here.  (Applause.)
They’re military children, like Brittany and Austin and Reagan, and seven-year-old Landon, who at the end of a long day is there to gently rub his dad’s injured arm.  And so I want to make sure that we acknowledge these extraordinary children as well.  (Applause.)

Our heroes are all around us.  They’re our men and women in uniform who through a decade of war have earned their place among the greatest of generations.  During World War II, on    D-Day, it was the Rangers of D Company who famously scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc.  After 9/11, we learned again —- “Rangers Lead the Way.”  They were some of the first boots on the ground in Afghanistan.  They have been deployed continuously ever since. 

Today, we can see our progress in this war and our success against al Qaeda, and we're beginning to bring our troops home from Afghanistan this summer.  Understand there will be more fighting -– and more sacrifices -– in the months and years to come.  But I am confident that because of the service of men and women like Leroy, we will be able to say of this generation what President Reagan once said of those Rangers who took the cliffs on D-Day -— “These are the heroes who helped end a war.” 

I would ask all of our Rangers —- members of the 9/11 generation —- to stand and accept the thanks of a grateful nation.  (Applause.)

Finally, the service of Leroy Petry speaks to the very essence of America —- that spirit that says, no matter how hard the journey, no matter how steep the climb, we don’t quit.  We don’t give up.  Leroy lost a hand and those wounds in his legs sometimes make it hard for him to stand.  But he pushes on, and even joined his fellow Rangers for a grueling 20-mile march.  He could have focused only on his own recovery, but today he helps care for other wounded warriors, inspiring them with his example. Given his wounds, he could have retired from the Army, with honor, but he chose to re-enlist -- indefinitely.  And this past year he returned to Afghanistan -- his eighth deployment -- back with his Ranger brothers on another mission to keep our country safe. 

This is the stuff of which heroes are made.  This is the strength, the devotion that makes our troops the pride of every American.  And this is the reason that -- like a soldier named Leroy Petry -— America doesn’t simply endure, we emerge from our trials stronger, more confident, with our eyes fixed on the future. 

Our heroes are all around us.  And as we prepare for the reading of the citation, please join me in saluting one of those heroes -- Leroy Petry.  (Applause.)

MILITARY AIDE:  The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry, United States Army.  Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, in action, with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008.

As a weapons squad leader with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants.  While crossing the courtyard, Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters.   Still under enemy fire and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover.  He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. 

The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades.  The first grenade explosion knocked his two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel.  A second grenade landed only a few feet away from them.  Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in the effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers.  As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds.

Although picking up and throwing the live grenade grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed.  Despite the severity of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Petry continued to maintain the presence of mind to place a tourniquet on his right wrist before communicating the situation by radio in order to coordinate support for himself and his fellow wounded Rangers.

Staff Sergeant Petry’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Army. 

(The Medal is presented.)  (Applause.)

REVEREND RUTHERFORD:  Let us pray.  Lord, be upon us this day we all live the values and celebrate the commitment to our nation Sergeant First Class Petry has modeled.  Give us strength this day and keep us always in your care as we pray in your holy name.  Amen.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you all for attending this extraordinary ceremony for this extraordinary hero.  I hope that all of you will join the family.  There is going to be an outstanding reception.  I hear the food is pretty good around here.  (Laughter.)  And I know the music is great, because we’ve got my own Marine Band playing.

So thank you so much for your attendance.  And once again, congratulations, Leroy, for your extraordinary devotion to our country. 

Thank you very much.  (Applause.)

END  2:42 P.M. EDT   

The President awards the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry for his heroism in Afghanistan.

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Source: whitehouse.gov

By the President and Secretary Gates on the armed services farewell tribute in honor of Secretary Gates

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

10:09 A.M. EDT

        THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much.  Admiral Mullen, thank you for your eloquent words, but also for your extraordinary service.  As you near a well-deserved retirement, thank you for four decades of incredible service -- to you and Deborah.  

        Members of Congress, Vice President Biden, Deputy Secretary Lynn, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, service secretaries and distinguished guests, men and women of the finest military in the world, and, most of all, Secretary Gates, Becky, Brad, and although she could not be here, I also want to acknowledge your daughter Eleanor.

        When I took office, Bob Gates had already served under seven Presidents during an illustrious career that spanned four decades.  He would have been forgiven if he had opted for a private life of comfort and ease.  He had earned it.  And when asked by a reporter whether he might stay on to serve an eighth President, he offered the answer -- “inconceivable.”  (Laughter.)  
Why did he stay?  I know there are days when Bob asked that himself.  I’m sure Becky asked that also.  But I believe I know the answer, because I’ve seen this man in those moments of debate and decision when a person’s character is revealed —- in the Oval Office, in the Situation Room, in the theaters of war.

        You see, if you look past all of Bob’s flashiness and bravado -- (laughter) -- and his sharp attire, his love for the Washington limelight -- (laughter) -- then what you see is a man that I’ve come to know and respect —- a humble American patriot; a man of common sense and decency; quite simply, one of our nation’s finest public servants.  

        Bob, today you’re not only one of the longest-serving Secretaries of Defense in American history, but it is also clear that you’ve been one of the best.

        Why did Bob Gates serve?  Our nation is at war, and to know Bob is to know his profound sense of duty -- to country, to our security, and most of all, to our men and women who get up every day and put on America’s uniform and put their lives on the line to keep us safe and to keep us free.  

        When the outcome of the war in Iraq was in doubt, Bob Gates presided over the extraordinary efforts that helped restore order.  Over the past two and a half years, we've removed more than 100,000 troops from Iraq, ended our combat mission and are responsibly ending that war.

        When the fight against al Qaeda and our efforts in Afghanistan needed new focus, Bob Gates helped us devise the strategy that has finally put al Qaeda on a path to defeat and ensures that Afghanistan never again becomes a source for attacks against our nation.

        When institutional inertia kept funding systems our troops didn’t need, Bob Gates launched a war on waste -- challenging conventional wisdom with courage and conviction, speaking hard truths and saving hundreds of billions of dollars that can be invested in a 21st century military.

        Bob Gates made it his mission to make sure this department is serving our troops in the field as well as they serve us.  And today we see the lifesaving difference he made -- in the mine-resistant vehicles and the unmanned aircraft, the shorter medevac times in Afghanistan, in our determination to give our wounded warriors the world-class care they deserve.  

        Bob, this may be your greatest legacy of all -- the lives you saved and the confidence you gave our men and woman in battle who knew that there was a Secretary of Defense who had their backs and who loved them and who fought for them and who did everything in his power to bring them home safe.  

        Let me also thank Becky for her extraordinary support of our extraordinary military families.  She’s been there day in and day out.  And in may ways, I know both Bob and Becky consider our troops to be like their own sons and daughters.  And, Bob, your sense of responsibility to them is profound.  

        It’s a responsibility we’ve shared, as leaders who have served every day in a time of war.  We’re the ones who send them into harm’s way.  We visit them in the field, knowing that we are the reason they're there.  We’ve stood in solemn respect at Dover when our fallen heroes have made their final journey home.  We’ve held their families in our arms as they grieve the loved ones they gave to America so that our loved ones can be secure.  We know the heavy wages of war, and we know America’s shared obligations to all who serve.      

        So today we not only pay tribute to a remarkable public servant; we celebrate the principles for which he served and for which our nation stands.  I believe the life of Bob Gates is a lesson, especially to young Americans, a lesson that public service is an honorable calling; that we can pass our country, better and stronger, to those who follow.  

        Our next Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, has subscribed to this same life of service, and I'm confident that he, too, will lead this department with clear vision and a steady hand.

        In his willingness to become the first Secretary of Defense to serve under Presidents of both parties, the integrity of Bob Gates is also a reminder, especially to folks here in Washington, that civility and respectful discourse, and citizenship over partisanship are not quaint relics of a bygone era; they are the timeless virtues that we need now more than ever.  For whatever differences of party or ideology we may have, we can only keep America strong if we remember what keeps America great -- our ability to come together and work together, as Americans, for a common purpose.

        Finally, as we face difficult challenges around the world and here at home, let today be a reminder that the United States will meet the tests of our time.  We remain at war, but today fewer Americans are in harm’s way, and we will bring the wars we’re in to a responsible end.  We will make hard fiscal choices, but we’ll do so responsibly.  And as Commander-in-Chief I am determined that our Armed Forces will always -- always -- remain the best-trained, the best-led, the best-equipped fighting force in history.  And in an uncertain world that demands our leadership, the United States of America, and our Armed Forces, will remain the greatest force for freedom and security that the world has ever known.    

        This is the America -- strong and confident -- to which Bob Gates has devoted his life.  And this is the America to which we rededicate ourselves.  

        I can think of no better way to express my appreciation to someone who I have come to admire and who I consider a friend, I can think of no better way to express the gratitude of the nation for Bob Gates, than with a very special recognition.  

        Bob, this is not in the program, but I would ask you to please stand.  

        As President, the highest honor that I can bestow on a civilian is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  It speaks to the values we cherish as a people and the ideals we strive for as a nation.  And today it is my great privilege to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to America’s 22nd Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates.  

        Will the military aide please read the citation.

        MILITARY AIDE:  The Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert M. Gates.  

        Our nation’s 22nd Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates, has selflessly dedicated his life to ensuring the security of the American people.  He has served eight Presidents of both parties with unwavering patriotism.  As a champion of our men and women in uniform and their families, he has led the Department of Defense with courage and confidence during our nation’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ensured our Armed Forces are better prepared for the conflicts of today and tomorrow.  The United States honors Robert M. Gates for his extraordinary leadership and for a lifetime of service and devotion to our nation.

        (The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented.)  (Applause.)  

        SECRETARY GATES:  Thank you, Mr. President, for those kind words and for honoring me and this department by your presence here today.  I'm deeply honored and moved by your presentation of this award.  It is a big surprise.  But we should have known a couple of months ago; you’re getting pretty good at this covert ops stuff.  (Laughter.)  

        Mr. Vice President, distinguished guests, colleagues, friends, thank you for being here this morning.

        First, I’d like to congratulate Leon Panetta on his recent confirmation.  Right after the 2008 election, Leon wrote an op-ed suggesting President-elect Obama retain me as Secretary of Defense.  So when President Obama asked for my recommendation for a successor, I returned the favor.  (Laughter.)  

        Seriously, this department and this country is fortunate that a statesman of Leon Panetta’s caliber and experience has agreed to serve once again, and at such an important time.  My parting advice for Leon is to get his office just the way he likes it -- he may be here longer than he thinks.  

        I’d like to thank the members of Congress with us today.  I appreciate the gracious and supportive treatment accorded to me by senators and representatives of both parties these past four and a half years.  Even when there were disagreements over policies and priorities, the Congress always came through for our men and women in uniform, especially for programs that protect and take care of troops and their families.

        As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, I’ve had my say on some weighty topics.  So on this, the last stop of what has been dubbed “the long goodbye,” I’d like to spend just a few minutes talking about the men and women that I’ve been fortunate to work with in this job.

        I’d like to start with the two Presidents whom I’ve been privileged to serve in this role.  Serving as Secretary of Defense has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life, and for that I will always be grateful.  First, to President Bush for giving me this historic opportunity and for the support he provided during those difficult early months and years on the job.  And then to President Obama for his confidence in taking the historic step of asking me, someone he did not know at all, to stay on, and for his continuing trust ever since.

        The transition from the Bush to the Obama administration was the first of its kind from one political party to another during war in nearly 40 years.  The collegiality, thoroughness, and professionalism of the Bush-Obama transition were of great benefit to the country, and were a tribute to the character and judgment of both Presidents.

        I’ve also been fortunate that both Presidents provided me an excellent team of senior civilian appointees.  When I took this post, the first and best decision I made was to retain every single senior official I inherited from Secretary Rumsfeld, including his personal front office staff, most of whom have been with me to this day.

        Likewise, I’ve been fortunate to receive another first-class roster of senior civilian officials from President Obama.  They've provided me superb counsel and support on a range of difficult institutional issues and strategic initiatives.  

        These and other achievements, indeed anything of consequence achieved in this department, required respectful collaboration between the civilian and military leadership, which has been a source of strength to the country.  I've received wise, forthright, but loyal counsel from the service chiefs and from the leadership of the Joint Staff.  And I’ll always be grateful to them for their candor, cooperation, and friendship.

        Above all, though, I want to recognize and thank first, General Pete Pace, who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs when I arrived, and whose counsel and friendship got me off to a strong start; and then, of course, my battle buddy of nearly four years, Admiral Mike Mullen.  Without Mike’s advice to me, his effective leadership of the uniform military and our close partnership, the record of the last several years would, I think, have been very different.

        Mike was never shy about disagreeing with me but unfailingly steadfast and loyal to me and to the Presidents he served once a decision was made.  He is the epitome of a military leader and officer, a man of supreme integrity, a great partner, and a good friend.

        A practice in spirit of cooperation is equally important for relationships with other elements of the government, especially those dealing with intelligence, development, and diplomacy.  The blows struck against al Qaeda, culminating in the bin Laden raid, exemplified a remarkable transformation of how we must fuse intelligence and military operations in the 21st century.

        With respect to the State Department, my views have, as they say in this town, evolved over the years.  I started out my inter-agency experience in Washington, D.C. as a staffer on President Nixon's National Security Council.  As you might expect, the Nixon White House was not exactly a hotbed of admiration for the foreign service -- generally thought of as a bunch of guys with last names for first names who occasionally took time out of their busy day to implement the President's foreign policy.  And for much of my professional life, the Secretaries of State and Defense were barely speaking to one another.  

        In the case of Secretaries Rice and Clinton, I've not only been on speaking terms with these two formidable women, we've also become cherished colleagues and good friends.  I suppose that giving a big speech calling for more money for the State Department didn’t exactly hurt.  (Laughter.)  But we should never forget the diplomats and development experts from State and AID are taking risks and making sacrifices in some of the planet's least hospitable places.  And I speak for all our military in appreciating the contributions they are making every day to the success of our missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere around the globe.

        In doing my utmost to support the troops downrange on these missions, I've spent a good deal of time venting frustration with the Pentagon bureaucracy.  However, I did so knowing that the people most often frustrated by the pace of things in this building are the career civilian professionals who strive every day to overcome the obstacles to getting things done.  As someone who worked his way up through the GS ladder, I understand and appreciate the challenges these public servants face and the sacrifices they make.  What they accomplish does not receive the attention and the thanks it deserves.  So know that I leave this post grateful for everything our defense civilians do for our military and our national security.

        During a time of war, the top priority of everyone in this building ultimately must be to get those fighting at the front what they need to survive and succeed on the battlefield and to be properly taken care of when they come home.  I've spent much of the past two months visiting with these troops -- first, in military facilities around the U.S., and then over several days at a number of forward-operating bases in Afghanistan.  Though I was only able to meet a small sample of those who deployed downrange, it was important to me to look them in the eye one last time and let them know how much I care about them and appreciate what they and their families do for our country.

        Looking forward to this moment, I knew it would be very difficult for me to adequately express my feelings for these young men and women -- at least in a way that would allow me to get through this speech.  So, yesterday, a personal message from me to all of our servicemen and women around the world was published and distributed through military channels.  I'll just say here that I will think of these young warriors -- the ones who fought, the ones who keep on fighting, the ones who never made it back -- till the end of my days.

        Finally, as I was contemplating this moment, I thought about something Becky told me in January 2005, when I was asked to be the first director of national intelligence.  I was really wrestling with the decision and finally told her she could make it a lot easier if she just said she didn’t want to go back to D.C.  She thought a moment, and replied, "We have to do what you have to do."

        That is something military spouses have said in one form or another a million times since 9/11 upon learning that their loved one received a deployment notice or is considering another tour of service.  Just under five years ago, when I was approached by the same President again to serve, Becky’s response was the same. As much as she loved Texas A&M and Aggie sports and our home in Washington State, and as much as she could do without another stint in this Washington, she made it easy for me to say yes to this job -- to do what I had to do, to answer the call to serve when so much was at stake for America and her sons and daughters in two wars.

        Well, Becky, we’re really going home this time.  Your love and support has sustained me and kept me grounded since the day we first met on a blind date in Bloomington, Indiana, 45 years ago.  

        Shortly I’ll walk out of my office in the E ring for the last time as Defense Secretary.  It’s empty of all my personal items and mementos, but will still have looming over my desk the portraits of two of my heroes and role models -- Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George C. Marshall.  

        It is from Marshall that I take a closing thought, first delivered more than six decades ago in the opening years of the Cold War.  Addressing new university graduates, Marshall extolled what he considered the great “musts” of that generation.  They were, he said, "the development of a sense of responsibility for world order and security, the development of a sense of the overwhelming importance of the country’s acts and failures to act."  

        Now, as when Marshall first uttered those words, a sense of America’s exceptional global responsibilities and the importance of what we do or do not do remain the great "musts" of this dangerous new century.  It is the sacred duty entrusted to all of us privileged to serve in positions of leadership and responsibility; a duty we should never forget or take lightly; a duty I have every confidence you will all continue to fulfill.

        Thank you.  God bless our military and the country they so nobly serve.  (Applause.)  

END 10:33 A.M. EDT

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Source: whitehouse.gov