Weekly Address: This Veterans' Day, Let's Honor Our Veterans

[cal04]

Source: White House

In this week’s address, in advance of Veterans' Day, the President paid tribute to the men and women in uniform who have given so much in service of America.

Veterans have risked their lives to protect our freedom, and we need to be there for them when they return from duty by ensuring they get the care they need and the opportunities they deserve. The President asked every American to thank and welcome home the veterans in their lives who, like all who fight for our country, are heroes worthy of our constant gratitude and support.

Read more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/08/weekly-address-veterans-day-lets-honor-our-veterans

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Transcript
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/07/weekly-address-veterans-day-lets-honor-our-veterans

In this week's address, in advance of Veterans' Day, the President paid tribute to the men and women in uniform who have given so much in service of America. Veterans have risked their lives to protect our freedom, and we need to be there for them when they return from duty by ensuring they get the care they need and the opportunities they deserve. The President asked every American to thank and welcome home the veterans in their lives who, like all who fight for our country, are heroes worthy of our constant gratitude and support.

(snip)
Hi, everybody. This weekend, I depart for Asia to advance American leadership and promote American jobs in a dynamic region that will be critical to our security and prosperity in the century ahead. The democracies, progress and growth we see across the Asia Pacific would have been impossible without America's enduring commitment to that region – especially the service of generations of Americans in uniform. As we approach Veterans' Day, we honor them – and all those who've served to keep us free and strong.

(snip)
Let's honor our veterans by making sure they get the care and benefits they've earned. That means health care that's there for them when they need it. It means continuing to reduce the disability claims backlog. And it means giving our wounded warriors all the care and support they need to heal, including mental health care for those with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. Some of the most moving moments I've experienced as Commander in Chief have been with our wounded warriors. Some have to learn how to walk again, talk again, write their names again. But no matter how hard it is, they never give up. They never quit. And we can't ever quit on them.

Let's honor our veterans by making sure they get their shot at the American Dream that they risked their lives to defend – by helping them find jobs worthy of their skills and talents, and making sure the Post-9/11 GI Bill stays strong so more veterans can earn a college education. When our veterans have the opportunity to succeed, our whole nation is stronger. And let's work together to end the tragedy of homelessness among veterans once and for all – because anyone who has defended America deserves to live in dignity in America.

Finally, let's honor our veterans by remembering that this isn't just a job for government. It's a job for every American. We're all keepers of that sacred trust that says, if you put on a uniform and risk your life to keep us safe, we'll do our part for you. We'll make sure you and your family get the support you need. We'l have your backs – just like you had ours.

So this Veterans' Day, and every day, let's make sure all our veterans know how much we appreciate them. If you see a veteran, go on up and shake their hand. Look them in the eye. Say those words that every veteran deserves to hear: "Welcome home. Thank you. We need you more than ever to help us stay strong and free."

more at link

[MannyGoldstein]

1. I had a post hidden for wondering if the President

is talking up military service to his daughters.

I won't make that mistake again!

It's interesting that, two hours after this piece was posted, no responses and only one rec. On a Democratic site.

[DustyJoe]

2. Shhhhhhhhh

no responses and only one rec. On a Democratic site.

That's because it's about Soldiers, people who kill.
A lot of the -anti- crowd is in a snit because of the
additional 1,500 deployment to Iraq this week and
the snit does not allow any rah-rahing our President
acknowledging that Veterans deserve their day.

Luckily us Veterans know who we are and what we have
accomplished and appreciate our CIC's words and encouragement.

[FairWinds]

3. The military knows full well that . .

the longer a soldier is in a combat environment, the higher the
chances of post-traumatic stress disorder. And because their brains are not
fully developed, younger soldiers are also more vulnerable.
But the military & political leadership sends young soldiers on lengthy
multiple missions anyway.
For just Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, PTSD rates are at 20% (of 2.3 million
troops who have done tours there). That is 460,000 American psychological
casualtiesm walking our streets. They account for about one third of the homeless.
It's wrong, just like the Forever War itself is wrong.
So don't tell us how heroic you think the troops are while you treat
them like cannon fodder.
And I would be remiss in not mentioning the terrible human costs of
American military adventures on the peoples of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya,
Syria and elsewhere . .
I'm a Vietnam vet and a proud member of Veterans For Peace

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Thank you for posting

Always try to listen to the local radio broadcast too on Saturday mornings.

[KinMd]

5. My Dad was a WWII combat vertran..

he fought in The Battle of the Bulge. Like so many he hardly mentioned his service. At his funeral my uncle said we'll never know the full story of what a hero he was.
He also turned against the Vietnam War early on and shocked me one by telling me , if I had been old enough to be drafted, he would have wanted me to go to Canada

[FairWinds]

6. If you really support the troops . .

you'll put an end to the Forever War.
(BTW, there's a very good Sci-Fi book by
that title, author Joe Haldeman.)