And since today also marks five years since i signed historic wall street reform into law, let me say i will not accept any efforts to roll back this law or its strong protections for our economy and the american people, including our military families. And were going to keep helping our newest veterans transition to civilian life. All 50 states have now taken steps to recognize the skills of our veterans when issuing civilian credentials and licenses. So weve got to make sure these laws are working so our veterans actually get those credentials. Well keep helping our veterans and their families choose the school thats right for them under the post9 11 g. I. And that now includes the surviving spouses of our fallen heroes. [applause] in 43 states, veterans now pay instate tuition. Were working to make sure that happens in all 50 states. I dont know what the other seven states think theyre doing we got to go ahead and make that happen. [applause] well keep partnering with communities that step up and welcome our Veterans Home with jobs and opportunities that are worthy of their skills. And as long as im president , im going to keep telling every business in america if you want somebody to get the job done, hire a vet. [applause] hire a veteran, because they know what sacrifice means, and duty means, and responsibility means. Lets do more nationbuilding here at home. Thats part of our strength part of our american leadership. Vfw, as i look around this auditorium, i see that the love of country and the devotion to duty spans the generations. That spirit endures in those who wear the uniform today. We saw that, once again, last week in chattanooga. Back in massachusetts, tom sullivan cheered for his boston teams. In battle, said a comrade, sully was just everything that a marine should be. In two tours in iraq, he earned a combat action ribbon; for his wounds, two purple hearts. When he was warned that a gunman was there in chattanooga, he ran in so that others could live. Today we echo the words of his community Gunnery Sergeant thomas j. Sullivan was our hero and he will never be forgotten. Thank you for protecting us. [applause] growing up in georgia, skip wells was a true servant leader devoted to god and to his friends, quick to lend a hand or put you on his prayer list. During his hometowns fourth of july parade, he was so proud to be a marine that he went in his dress uniform. Just 21 years old, a year out of boot camp, easy going, always smiling, even during the hardest drills. A friend said, skip is the kind of kid you want on your team. As americans, we are forever grateful that Lance Corporal squire k. Wells was on our team. As an eagle scout in arkansas, david wyatt would race up a mountain to be the first on top. He was determined to do his part for our country, found his calling in the marines. He led with courage, in afghanistan and iraq, and with compassion as a mentor to comrades with posttraumatic stress. Its said he was a gentleman and a gentle man. And no one knew that better than his wife, lorri, and their two young children. Today, we see, as they did, why a friend would say that Staff Sergeant david a. Wyatt was the kind of man this country needs more of. Back home, Carson Holmquist was an embodiment of the spirit of grantsburg, wisconsin population, 1,300. Loved country music, loved to fish, to hunt, to play football. And he loved the marines showing up at his Old High School in his dress blues. He, too, served in afghanistan; was devoted to his family his wife, jasmine, and their twoyearold son. Said his old coach, carson always did the best he could. Today, our nation is stronger because america saw the best of Sergeant Carson a. Holmquist. And in his hometown in ohio, Randall Smith is remembered as the High School Baseball star with the fierce pitch. He was a fun and outgoing guy the guy, they said, you just wanted to be around. His buddies in the navy knew it he had just reenlisted and his family knew it, too. His wife, angie, who he liked to call the most beautiful woman in the world, and their young daughters, who he called his little princesses. Today, we join the people of vfw, our nation endures because citizens like you put on the uniform and serve to keep us free. We endure because your families serve and stay strong on the home front. We endure because the freedoms and values you protected are now defended by a new generation americans just like our five patriots who gave their lives in chattanooga. As a grateful nation, we must stand up for them and honor them, now and forever. God bless these american heroes. God was all of these troops and better and heroes. God bless the United States of america. We are proud of what you do top [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org]