Obama to veterans: We stand with you
Update:
Obama’s Executive Order to DoD, VA: Establishes Two Multi-Institutional Consortia to Research PTSD and TBI
Speaking at the Disabled American Veteran National Convention in Orlando, Florida today,
President Obama again challenged Republicans in Congress to tackle the disability claims process, just days after Congress began its five-week Summer recess, announcing a new fight for veterans on
several fronts and all but demanding GOP support.
Not the first time,
Obama has scolded Congressional Republicans for sitting on their collective ass as veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan are derided by Republicans as what Sally Satel of the GOP's American Enterprise Institute said: Greedy takers sucking on the government's
breasts.
Obama renewed his commitment to the convention of disabled veterans and vowed to keep our country's promise "for as long as you and your families walk this
earth."
He could have added, despite Republicans in Congress who won't do jack.
Obama called for more GOP support for traumatic brain injury, a new national plan to guide mental health research, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide, veterans' care givers, veterans' jobs, and education initiatives such as high-skilled jobs credentials and funds for obtaining college
degrees.
Remarks by The First Lady and The President at Disabled American Veterans Convention
Hilton
Orlando, Florida
MRS. OBAMA: (Applause.) Thank you. Thanks so much. Thank you
all. Thank you. (Applause.) Good afternoon, everyone. It’s so good
to be here. (Applause.) We are so proud of you all. Thank you all.
Please, I know you’ve been working hard, so rest yourselves.
(Laughter.)
I am beyond thrilled to be here with all of you today, and I want to
start by thanking Larry for that very kind introduction, but more
importantly for his tremendous leadership of the DAV and for all of his
outstanding service to this country. But most of all, I want to thank
all of you here today -- the men and women who have served and
sacrificed so greatly on behalf of all Americans.
Truly, one of my greatest joys over these past few years has been
spending time with veterans and military families like all of you. I
have laughed with your children at barbeques. I’ve gone to baby showers
with spouses. I’ve learned so much during my many visits to military
bases across this country. I’ve even smashed a champagne bottle to
christen a Coast Guard cutter. (Laughter.)
And let me tell you, day after day, I have been so inspired by your
stories -- so inspired. And I’m reminded of one of those stories today,
the story of a young man I met at Walter Reed. His name is Sergeant
Winder Perez, and he is 24 years old. Now, a year and a half ago,
Sergeant Perez was on a combat mission in Afghanistan, when he was hit
by an RPG. He collapsed, but the grenade stayed lodged in his left
thigh and it didn’t go off. Sergeant Perez’s fellow Marines ran to his
aid and together they chose to carry him off the battlefield to safety,
even though they knew that any wrong move would mean certain disaster.
Moments later, four pilots and medics chose to load him onto a
helicopter with the live explosive still in his leg, transporting him 65
miles to the nearest medical station. And finally, when they arrived, a
nurse and explosive expert chose to rush to his aid, finally dislodging
the rocket by hand and giving doctors a chance to save his leg -- which
they did.
Now, just that part of Sergeant Perez’s story tells you everything
you need to know about the men and women of our armed forces. But as
all of you know very well, stories like these don’t end in the combat
zone. Since his injury, Sergeant Perez has endured 30 or 31 surgeries
-- he doesn’t remember the exact number. He has survived a heart attack
and an aneurysm, and he’s fought through hundreds of hours of rigorous
physical therapy to strengthen his leg.
And time and again, just when he’s regained the strength to walk, his
doctors have told him that it’s time for another surgery, and then
Sergeant Perez is back in a wheelchair, starting all over again from
square one.
But here is the thing: You don’t hear about any of that when you
talk to Sergeant Perez. What you do hear about is his mother, who he
will tell you has stayed by his side every single day. You will hear
about his gratitude to those who saved his life, to the family and
friends who come from New York to visit, and for the life he has in
front of him.
Today, Sergeant Perez is walking again. He’s three months into an
internship with the Defense Intelligence Agency, and he plans to spend
the rest of his career serving his country. And when asked about
everything he’s been through, Sergeant Perez puts it all in perspective
by simply saying, "I just think you’ve got to get back up." That’s all
he said. "You’ve got to get back up."
And as I look across this room, I see a group of people who know how
to get back up. No matter what you’ve been through -- (applause) -- no
matter what the struggles you have faced, you all get back up. And that
is what inspires me. That’s why, every day, I work to push myself
harder to live up to your example.
And that’s why Jill Biden and I are working so hard on Joining
Forces, because we want to honor and serve you and your families -- to
make sure that you and your families have the educational opportunities
you need, the support you’ve earned and the good jobs you deserve.
And if there is one thing that I want all of you to know today, it’s
this: You will never have to get back up all on your own. Not while
we’re here, Never. (Applause.) And it’s not just us. You have got
families who support you day and night. You have countless neighbors
and pastors, business owners -- I’ve met them -- even strangers who will
snap into action for you.
And one important person you have is a Commander-in-Chief who doesn’t
simply understand your service and your sacrifice. (Applause.) Let me
tell you something about this man, he carries your stories with him
every single day. I have seen it in his eyes when he comes home from a
visit to a military hospital. I’ve noticed the extra energy he gets
after a military commencement. And I’ve heard the emotion in his voice
after he talks with the families of our fallen. That is the well he
draws from as Commander-in-Chief. You are that well.
And that’s why he has stood up for you again and again and again, and
it’s why he’s going to keep fighting for you and your families every
single day. So ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my husband, our
President Barack Obama. (Applause.)
*****
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, DAV. (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank
you. Everybody, please have a seat. Do we have an extraordinary First
Lady? (Applause.) We will be celebrating our 21st anniversary in
October. The first time I saw her, I knew she was something special.
(Laughter.) She was a little more skeptical about me. (Laughter.) But
persistence is the key. You just got to stay on it. Eventually, you
can marry up. (Laughter.)
To Michelle and Jill Biden and Joining Forces, we are so proud of the
work you've done to help rally America around military families and
veterans. I'm inspired by what they are doing. So thank you, Michelle,
for your extraordinary work.
DAV, I was proud to join at your convention three years ago.
(Applause.) It is wonderful to be back. I want to thank your national
commander, Larry Polzin. Thank you so much to the entire leadership
team -- Joe Johnston, Marc Burgess, Donna Adams, all the incredible
spouses and families of the DAV Auxiliary. I want to thank Barry
Jesinoski. (Laughter.) I got it. (Laughter.) They used to
mispronounce Obama too. (Laughter.) I want to thank Barry and your
great team in Washington.
Disabled American Veterans, like all veterans, you carry in your
hearts the story of brave service that took you to every corner of the
Earth. As young men and women, you left home, left everything and
everyone you ever knew because storm clouds gathered far across the
sea. You had your whole lives ahead of you, but you were willing to
risk all of it for this land that we love. Because you know, from hard
experience, what we must never forget -- our country endures because in
every generation there are Americans like you who stand beside her and
guide her and protect her.
You fought across the Pacific, island by island. You fought into the
heart of Europe, mile by mile, freeing millions from fascism. That’s
your legacy as veterans of the Second World War. You held the line at
the Pusan Perimeter and survived the bitter cold of the Chosin
Reservoir. And on this 60th anniversary of the end of that war, we
salute all of our veterans of the Korean War. (Applause.)
To our Vietnam veterans -- (applause) -- you served with valor not
just in the thick of the jungle, but through intense urban combat. And
let it be remembered that you won every major battle that you fought
in. (Applause.) And so in the decades since, whenever our country has
needed you, you said "send me" -- from the sands of Desert Storm to the
mountains of the Balkans to the villages of Afghanistan and Iraq -- and
next year, your profound sacrifice will be recognized in the heart of
our nation’s capital when our country dedicates the American Veterans
Disabled for Life Memorial. (Applause.)
That memorial will honor your courage in war. But it will also pay
tribute to your bravery in the other battle you have fought -- the fight
to recover from the wounds of war. And this may be your greatest
triumph of all. Because rather than being defined by what you lost, by
what you can’t do, you’ve inspired America with what you can do.
Maybe you lost your sight, but you can still see the truth that our
disabled veterans make extraordinary contributions to our country every
single day. Maybe you lost an arm, but you still have the strength to
pick up a friend or neighbor in need. Maybe you lost a leg, but you
still stand tall for the values and freedoms that make America the
greatest nation on Earth. (Applause.)
I think of the wounded warrior who spoke for so many of you when he
said, "Your life will never be the same, but that doesn’t mean you can’t
go on to do amazing things with the second chance you were given." I
think of wounded warriors across America and how they’ve used that
second chance --volunteering in communities, building homes, being a
mentor to local kids, showing up after tornadoes, after Hurricane Sandy
to help folks rebuild. I think of the wounded warriors who reached out
to the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing with the example of
their own recovery and with a simple message -- "We stand with you."
I think of all the inspiring wounded warriors that Michelle and I
have met -- their resilience, their resolve, their determination to push
through and to carry on. That’s the fighting spirit of our wounded
warriors. That’s the spirit of DAV -- (applause) -- dedicated not just
to your own recovery, but to taking care of each other. Every day you
work to ensure that America is fulfilling its promises to our men and
women who have served. That’s your mission. And I want you to know it
is my mission, too.
I believe that this work is more important than ever, because this
time of war that we've been in is coming to an end. (Applause.) For
nearly 12 years -- ever since we were attacked on that clear September
morning -- our nation has been at war. Our fight in Afghanistan is now
America’s longest war. At the same time, our troops fought courageously
in Iraq for nine long years. And among us today are proud veterans of
the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Now, we’ve marked another milestone in Afghanistan. As of this past
June, Afghan forces have taken the lead for security across their entire
country. Instead of leading the fight, our troops now have a different
mission -- supporting Afghan forces. Our war in Afghanistan has
entered the final chapter. More of our troops are coming home. This
winter, we’ll be down to 34,000. By the end of next year, the
transition will be complete -- Afghans will take full responsibility for
their security and our war in Afghanistan will be over. (Applause.)
For this progress, we thank all who have served in Afghanistan,
including DAV members here today -- just a few I want to mention. We
salute folks like Timothy Duke. Where’s Timothy? Right here --
(applause) -- in the early days of the war, Timothy's helicopter unit
served in some of the most remote parts of Afghanistan. On another
tour, in Iraq, his convoy was hit by an IED. He endured three spinal
surgeries. Then he went to school on the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Today he
is helping at the DAV, helping veterans and their families access their
benefits. That's the kind of spirit the DAV represents. Thank you,
Timothy, for your outstanding service and work. (Applause.)
We salute Staff Sergeant Jacare Hogan. (Applause.) Where’s Jacare?
In Iraq, she was hit by IEDs three times. She’s endured surgeries,
rehab -- which continue to this day -- but she refused to stop serving.
She deployed again to Afghanistan. As a logistics specialist, she
served at forward operating bases -- keeping them running, flying
between bases, getting shot at along the way. At those remote outposts,
she was often the only woman on base. She proudly wears the Combat
Action Badge. (Applause.) But her service hasn't stopped. So here at
DAV, she counsels others as they recover. "Helping [the] troops is what
I’m about." That's what she says. And we are grateful to you, Jacare,
for your extraordinary service. (Applause.)
And we salute Jason Hassinger. Where is Jason? (Applause.) Right
here -- when Jason's unit was ambushed and pinned down, he was hit five
times in the chest. But he pushed on, helped lead his men to safety for
which he earned the Silver Star. (Applause.) After months of care and
rehab he returned to his unit -- going out on patrol, gritting his
teeth through the pain in his chest. And today, at DAV, Jason helps his
fellow vets access the benefits that they have earned. It is "my job"
to "help people heal." That's what Jason says. Thank you. (Applause.)
So Timothy, Jacare, Jason -- they're just examples of all who've
served in these years of war -- the 9/11 Generation. And now, you’re
beginning the next chapter in your lives wearing a proud new title --
veteran of the United States Armed Forces. So this time of war may be
coming to an end, but the job of caring for our veterans goes on and our
work caring for our newest veterans has only just begun.
Think about it -- we lost the last veteran of the First World War two
years ago, but we still care for the children of our World War I
veterans. To this day, we still help care for children of men who
fought in the Spanish-American War, even the daughter of a Civil War
veteran. (Applause.) So when we talk about fulfilling our promises to
all who serve, we’re not just talking about a few years, we’re talking
about decades -- for as long as you and your families walk this Earth.
With a new generation joining your ranks, I believe that now is the
time to make sure our nation is truly ready -- organized and structured
to get this right not just for this year, not just for next year, but
for decades to come not just for the veterans of today’s wars, but for
all wars. And I believe we need to focus on five key priorities.
Number one, we need to make sure we’ve got the resources, the budgets
our veterans deserve. (Applause.) Since I took office, we’ve made
historic investments in our veterans. Even in these tough fiscal times,
we’ve boosted the VA budget by more than 40 percent. We now budget for
veterans’ health care a year in advance. (Applause.) And I’ve
proposed a further increase in veterans funding for next year.
(Applause.)
Now, some of you may be aware right now we've got these reckless,
across-the-board budget cuts called the sequester that's hitting a lot
of folks hard. And it’s cost jobs. It's hurting our military, slashing
investments in education and science and medical research. I made it
clear that your veteran’s benefits are exempt from this year’s
sequester. I've made that clear. (Applause.) But I want to tell you
going forward the best way to protect the VA care you have earned is to
get rid of this sequester altogether. (Applause.) Congress needs to
come together and agree on a responsible plan that reduces our deficit
and keeps our promises to our veterans and keeps our promises to future
generations. That’s what I’m fighting for. That’s what you deserve.
(Applause.)
Number two, we need to make sure you’re getting the veterans’ health
care you’ve been promised. We’re already making record investments --
more outreach, more clinics, more service. For our Vietnam vets, we
made sure that you and your families finally got the disability pay you
deserved because of your exposure to Agent Orange. (Applause.) For our
Desert Storm veterans, we made it easier for you to get the care you
need for illnesses connected to your service. (Applause.) For our
veterans with PTSD, we’ve made it easier for you to get the VA care you
need as well, regardless of the war that you served in. (Applause.)
For our women veterans -- and there are more of you than ever --
we’re offering more tailored care, more clinics just for women, more
clinicians trained to treat you with respect and dignity. (Applause.)
So all told, we’ve made VA health care available to more than 2 million
veterans who didn’t have it before. (Applause.)
I’ve proposed more funding for prosthetics for our disabled vets, to
help you work and walk and run again. And for you -- the caregivers and
families -- we’re going to keep empowering you with the skills and
support you need as you care for the veterans that you love.
(Applause.)
We also need to keep improving mental health services, because we’ve
got to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops.
(Applause.) Last year, I said this had to be an all-hands-on-deck
approach -- not just at DOD and the VA, but across our government. I
issued an executive order to step up our game, and we have: hiring more
counselors, hiring more mental health providers, new awareness
campaigns so that those who are hurting know that asking for help is not
a sign of weakness; it’s a part of staying strong. It’s a part of
getting back up. (Applause.) Hundreds of medical and nursing schools
have committed to improving research and care for our veterans and their
families. And I’ve proposed more funding for mental health. We can’t
just promise better care, we’ve actually got to deliver better care.
So today I’m proud to announce the next step in this fight. We’re
unveiling a new national action plan to guide mental health research
across government, industry and academia, so that we’re going to focus
on developing more effective ways to prevent, diagnose and treat mental
health conditions like TBI and PTSD. And to get it done, we’re moving
ahead with more than $100 million in new research. (Applause.) So I’m
not going to be satisfied until every veteran and every man and woman in
uniform gets the support and the help they need to stay strong.
(Applause.)
Now, on the subject of veteran’s health care, you may have noticed
there’s still a lot of misinformation out there about the new health
care law -- Affordable Care Act. Some folks are out there trying to
scare people, including veterans. So let me say this as plainly as I
can. If you already have health insurance, or health care from the VA,
you do not have to do a thing; your VA health care does not change, it
is safe; there are no new fees. Don’t let them hoodwink you.
(Applause.)
But the good news is if you’re among one of the more than 1 million
veterans who don’t have health insurance, starting October 1st, you’ll
have a new option. Online marketplaces will let you shop and compare
and buy private health insurance plans, just like you can go online to
compare prices when you buy a TV, or airplane ticket or a car. And
because of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will no longer
be able to discriminate against you or deny you coverage because of
preexisting conditions -- like PTSD. (Applause.) So you’ll have more
security in being able to get health insurance. So don’t let them fool
you. No one is taking away your benefits. Your veterans’ health care
is safe. We’re not reducing veterans’ access to health care, we’re
expanding it. That’s the truth. (Applause.)
And that leads me to the third priority we’ve got to focus on. We’ve
got to attack this claims backlog. (Applause.) Now, the last time I
was with you, I pledged to cut the backlog, slash those wait times,
deliver your benefits sooner. And I’m going to be honest with you, it
has not moved as fast as I wanted. Part of it is all these new veterans
in the system who came in -- Agent Orange, PTSD. It means a lot more
claims, and despite additional resources, it’s resulted in longer
waits. And that’s been unacceptable -- unacceptable to me, unacceptable
to Secretary Shinseki.
So we put more of our VA folks to work as claims processors, we hired
more claims processors as well. We’ve got them working overtime --
completing more than a million claims a year. We prioritized the oldest
claims. Veterans groups like the DAV have pitched in as well, helping
vets with their claims, getting them ready, so when they bring them,
they’re in better shape and they can move a little quicker. And today, I
can report that we are not where we need to be, but we’re making
progress. We are making progress. (Applause.) So after years when the
backlog kept growing, finally the backlog is shrinking. In the last
five months alone, it’s down nearly 20 percent. We’re turning the tide.
And we’re not going to let up until we eliminate the backlog once and
for all. And we’ll keep moving ahead with paperless systems so the
backlog doesn’t come back, and so your claims are processed right -- the
first time, on time. (Applause.) After years of military service, you
shouldn’t have to wait for years for the benefits you have earned.
Fourth, just like you fought to defend our rights and freedoms, we
need to uphold the dignity and rights of every veteran. And that starts
by keeping up our campaign to end homelessness among veterans.
(Applause.) We’re not just bringing our veterans off the streets, we’re
doing more to reach at-risk and low-income vets, so they don’t become
homeless in the first place. And we’re not going to rest until every
veteran who has fought for America has a home in America. (Applause.)
Yesterday, I was proud to sign into law the Helping Heroes Fly Act --
to end those intrusive airport screenings so you, our wounded warriors
and disabled vets, especially those of you with prosthetics, can travel
with dignity. And I know how disappointing it was last year when the
Senate failed to approve the Disabilities Treaty despite the fact that
we had a former senator and World War II veteran, Bob Dole, in the
Senate chamber. But we’re going to keep fighting to ratify that Treaty,
because the United States has always been a leader for the rights of
the disabled. We believe that disabled Americans like you deserve the
same opportunities to work and to study and to travel in other countries
as any other American. It’s the right thing to do. We need to get it
done. (Applause.)
Which brings me to the final priority we need to stay focused on, and
that’s making sure that our veterans have every opportunity to pursue
the American Dream, starting with the education and jobs worthy of your
extraordinary talents.
With our new transition assistance program we’re doing more to help
departing service members and their spouses plan their careers and find
that new job. We’re going to keep helping our newest veterans and their
families pursue their education under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. We’re
building on the executive order I issued last year to protect you as you
go looking for schools. I said we’re going to stand up against
dishonest recruiting and predatory practices that target our veterans.
So we set new standards. And so far, more than 6,000 schools across the
country have signed on and pledged to do right by you and your
families. We don’t want our veterans cheated. (Applause.)
I also said that schools need to step up their support so we’re doing
more to help our veterans succeed on campus. So today, we’re
announcing what we call "8 Keys to Success" -- specific steps that
schools can take to truly welcome and encourage our veterans. And so
far, more than 250 community colleges and universities have signed on,
and today I’m calling on schools across America to join us in this
effort. Let’s help our veterans get that degree, get that credential
and compete for the high-skilled jobs of tomorrow. (Applause.)
Now, I’m also going to make sure that the federal government keeps
doing its part. I’m very proud of the fact that, since I took office,
federal departments and agencies have hired nearly 300,000 veterans --
including many disabled veterans. (Applause.) And I’m going to keep
calling on Congress to pass the Veterans Jobs Corps, to put our veterans
to work protecting and rebuilding America.
And we’re also doing everything we can to help you get those private
sector jobs. More help with job searches. More tools like our online
jobs bank to connect veterans to jobs that are open right now. Making
it easier for you to transfer your skills to the licenses and
credentials you need for civilian jobs. And because tens of thousands
of our veterans have already been helped, Congress needs to make
permanent tax credits for companies that hire our veterans and wounded
warriors. It’s the right thing to do. (Applause.)
And we’re going to keep urging companies across America to do the
smart thing -- hire some of the best workers you’ll ever find; hire a
vet. Michelle and Jill have done great work on this. And responding to
our challenge, working with Joining Forces, America's businesses have
already hired or trained 290,000 veterans and military spouses and
they’ve committed to hiring over 400,000 more. More companies are
signing up all the time. We are going to get companies to understand
that you can’t get a better deal than hiring a veteran. (Applause.)
Because of all the efforts I’ve described, and because of a growing
economy, veterans unemployment is going down, more veterans are finding
jobs, and we’re going to keep at this. Because with your skills and
drive, we don’t just want you fighting for America overseas, we want you
to be right here, building a stronger America, fighting for a better
future for our kids.
So ensuring the resources and budgets you deserve, delivering the
health care that you’ve earned, making sure you can count on it
-- continuing to reduce the backlog, standing up for your rights and
dignity, creating jobs and opportunity so you can realize your dreams
-- that’s what I’m focused on. That’s what I have told my entire
administration to be focused on. That’s what our country needs -- to
stay focused for the many years to come.
And nobody knows this better than you, our disabled veterans. The
road of recovery is often such a long haul. And America needs to be
there for you during that long haul. And that’s the lesson of the
extraordinary young man I told you about when I spoke to you three years
ago -- an Army Ranger, Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg.
A massive IED in Afghanistan nearly killed him. He was in a coma for
months, with severe traumatic brain injury. And I told you then how,
when I saw him in the hospital, he had come out of the coma, but he
still couldn’t speak. And when I asked how he was feeling, he slowly
brought his hand up and he pulled his fingers together and he gave a
thumbs up. His mom was sitting there with him.
A few days ago, I saw Cory and his family again, this time in Phoenix
where they live. So I wanted to give you an update on how he’s doing.
I suspect it won’t surprise you to know that for Cory, the years since
he was injured have been very hard -- brain surgeries, half dozen of
them; surgeries to replace part of his skull; eye surgeries; special
procedures on his lungs; skin grafts and skin flaps -- all told, dozens
of surgeries and procedures.
Rehab has been grueling. On a typical day, Cory wakes up and spend
hours in therapy -- physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy. Progress has come slowly, but it has come. He had to learn
the simple things all over again -- how to speak, how to write his name,
how to throw a ball. And this past spring, he reached another
milestone. After years in the hospital and rehab facilities, he finally
came home greeted by hundreds of neighbors and friends waving American
flags.
And so when I saw Cory a few days ago, he is still blind in one eye.
He still struggles to move his left side. But the young man I had seen
in that hospital bed unable to speak, barely able to move, this time he
was in a chair sitting up -- alert, smiling, talking. And then, he
wanted to show me something. And he leaned out of his chair. And he
reached out and grabbed his walker. And with the help of his parents,
he pulled himself forward and he stood up. And he looked at me, and he
gave me a sharp salute. (Applause.) He said, "Rangers Lead the Way."
(Applause.)
And his stepmom held one arm for balance and I held the other. And
then, Cory took a step -- then another, and then another one after that
all the way across the room. Little by little, Cory is learning to walk
again. (Applause.) And he's starting to get good on his recumbent
bike. He hopes to bike in a race this fall -- 42 miles. He’s scheduled
to move into his own home adapted to his needs with the help of a
caregiver -- another step towards the greater independence he seeks.
And so Cory says, "My recovery has not been easy. Nothing in life
that’s worth anything is easy." But he says, I don't "give up."
The war in Afghanistan may be ending, but for Cory and our disabled
vets, the work has only just begun. Cory is 30 years old. His recovery
-- like so many of yours -- will last a lifetime. But he won’t give
up, because you haven't given up. And when it comes to our work, to
making sure that our nation is fulfilling its promises to the men and
women who served and sacrificed, America cannot give up either. I will
not give up. We cannot give up.
So long as I'm the United States' President, I will make it my
mission to make sure that America is right there beside you every step
of the way, every step with Cory, every step with the DAV. God bless
you. God bless our veterans. God bless the United States of America.
(Applause.)
