generation of vietnam veterans who served with dedication and courage but all too often were shunned when they came home, which was a disgrace that must never happen again. a few years ago an airman who never even knew dick etchberger read about his heroism and felt he deserved something more. so he wrote his congressman who made it his mission to get this done. today we thank that airman, retired master sergeant robert dilly and that congressman, earl pomeroy who along with congressman holden made this day possible. sadly, dick s wife katherine did not live to see this moment, but today steve and richard and corey, today your nation finally acknowledges and fully honors your father s bravery. because, even though it has been
leaders from across our armed services, including air force secretary michael donnelly and chief of staff general norton schwartz. i want to acknowledge a group of americans who understand the valor we recognize today because they displayed it it themselves, members of the medal of honor society. most of all, we welcome dick etchberger s friends and family, especially his brother robert and dick s three sons steve, richard, and cory. for the etchberger family, this is a day more than 40 years in the making. corey was just 9 years old, but he can still remember that winter in 1968 when he, his brothers and his mom were escorted to the pentagon. the war in vietnam was still