[playing National Emblem march] [playing National Emblem march] please remain standing for the prayer for all veterans. Delivered by chaplain Michael Mccoy senior, director of chaplain services, National Chaplain center. Let us pray, almighty and eternal god, who gives us the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation. Come visit us in this most sacred garden of where many of our veterans have gathered and many of our veterans and nations heroes rest. Fill our hearts with thankfulness for our veterans who answered the call to defend the honor and just causes of our nation. We thank you for their patriotism, their devotion to liberty and justice, Human Dignity and rights, compassion and self giving. We thank you for their diversity and unity and mission. Let all who would beget war reach out in compassion to those who must remember, made the nightmare of all wars cease so healing can take place. May each american find a reason to love, not hate, and strength to build than to destroy. Renew our sense of unity, hope, and faith through times of testing and difficulties. God give us the joyous spirit of celebration of our nations veterans and their families. Bless us now with your presence. In the name of our god, who challenges us to care. Amen. I would like to invite mr. Robert swan, National Commander of the polish legion of the veterans to lead us in our pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce the members of the Veterans Day National committee. It was formed by president order in 1954 to plan this observance in honor of americas veterans and to support veterans day observances throughout the nation. Please hold your applause until i have introduced these special guests. If you are able, please stand when your name is called. Robert swan, National Commander of the polish leader of tomas stevens. Korean veterans. Angel. Catholic war veterans of the usa. David, chief executive officer. American exprisoners of war. John rowan, president Vietnam Veterans of america. Al kovac paralyzed veterans of america. Brian duffy, commander in chief, veterans of foreign wars of the United States. Harold chapman, National Commander. Dale stamper, National President , blinded veterans association. Richard gore senior, national commandant. Marine corps league. Donald larson, National President , Fleet Reserve association. Richard rinaldo, National Commander. Leader of valor, United States of america. Lyman smith, director military chaplains association. Donald youngblood, National Commander, army and navy union of the usa. John, executive director, noncommissioned Officers Association. Douglas bolt, National Vice commander, the american legion. Mr. David riley, National Commander, disabled American Veterans. Mike plummer, director of uniformed services. Clay junior, commander in chief, military order of the world wars. John adams, National President. The retired enlisted association. Herschel gober, National Commander, military order of the purple heart. Dana adkins, National President , military Officers Association of america. The associated members of the committee are located in the boxes to my left. I would like to ask the president and National Commanders that comprise our associate membership to stand and be recognized. Ladies and edelman, please recognize our Veterans National leadership with your applause. [applause] it is now my pleasure to introduce our veteran organization host for 2016. Polish legion of American Veterans, usa. The polish legion of American Veterans, usa is honored to serve as the Host Organization for the 2016 Veterans Day National observance at Arlington National cemetery. It was founded after the end of world war i, holding its First Official convention in 1921. Today, they celebrate over 95 years of providing assistance to veterans and their families. Chartered by congress, it represents over 3 million veteran americans of polish descent who have served in all wars and conflicts of the United States since its inception. With a knowledgeable and Trained Service officers as well as representation in washington, d. C. , they continue to provide assistance to veterans and their families with posts and chapters around the country. Veteran and ladies auxiliary volunteers donate endless hours of service and help in v. A. Medical centers, providing aid and support to hospitalized heroes. They also have Scholarships Available at the national as well as statelevel departments, providing Financial Aid to qualified students. They are represented today by their National Commander. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome mr. Robert swan. [applause] mr. Swan thank you. Welcome, mr. President , mr. Secretary, veterans, friends, all of you gathered here today. It is a great honor i am able to speak to you on this special day. It marks the 95th anniversary of the polish legion of American Veterans. After years of lobbying, the polish legion of American Veterans, congress unanimously floated to proclaim an honorary United States citizen on november 6, president obama signed public law 11194, which proclaimed him the seventh in history to receive this posthumous honor. We would like to recognize the contribution of all men and women that was provided while they were on active duty. And there continuing volunteering, which ups many veterans in need at the v. A. Hospitals and homes and even individual families in need. The values and principles gained in the military offers many a pathway to success. As a veteran family, or friend of a veteran, we know what they go through well serving and we know how hard it was when our Service Members return home. We are uniquely interested in helping in many ways. V. A. Hospitals and homes are always in need of support. Either monetarily or through comfort item donations. Organizations that are membership in the organizations that are declining, i am pleased to see younger veterans are still joining or creating newer, more specific organizations, where they are able to continue to help our nations veterans. Now, may we salute our military Service Members and their families that made that ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for the honor of speaking to you today. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the honorable ronald mcdonald, secretary of veterans affairs. [applause] mr. President , fellow veterans, honored guests. In the last scene of spielbergs saving private ryan, he kneels in front of captain millers grave. Captain miller gave his life in combat to save private ryans. Ryan says to miller and all veterans, i have tried to live my life the best i could. I hope that, at least in your eyes, i have earned what all of you have done for me. I am a veteran. When i come to arlington, i imagine myself saying that to every veteran resting here. I hope that, in your eyes, i have earned what all of you have done for me. We would all do well to kneel at any one of these markers and repeat ryans words. We would all do well to turn to a veteran and ask, am i earning this . Seven years ago today, right here in arlington, president obama made a sacred vow to veterans. America will not let you down, he said. We will take care of our own. Then, he fulfilled that vow. President obama and congress provided the largest single year the v. A. Budget increase in over three decades, his very first year. [applause] under his leadership, the v. A. Budget has nearly doubled. He opened it their doors to nearly half a million veterans who had lost their eligibility in 2003 and supported three presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to agent orange. Today, even though there are 2 million fewer veterans than in 2009, there are nearly 1. 2 million more veterans receiving some type of v. A. Care and services. [applause] 1. 2 million more veterans are enrolled for v. A. Health care. 1. 3 million more receive disability compensation. Half a million more veterans have v. A. Home loans. We have seen a 76 increase in veterans receiving educational benefits. We have cut veteran homelessness and half since 2010. Veteran unemployment has dropped. [applause] veteran unemployment has dropped by over half in the last five years. Unemployment for post9 11 veterans has dropped by 70 . America will not let you down, the president said. We will take care of our own. He stood by that commitment year after year after year. And for good reason. America met Sergeant First ClassCory Remsburg when president obama introduced him during the 2014 state of the union address. The president met corey 4. 5 years earlier in france. Corey was one of the elite rangers who parachuted into commemorate the dday landings. Then, he returned to afghanistan for his 10th tour. The president next saw corey in a hospital bed in bethesda naval. He had been grievously wounded by a 50 pound roadside bomb. Corey could not speak. He could barely move. But, he gave the president a thumbs up. Three years later, when the president and i traveled to phoenix, president obama quietly took a detour. He needed to see corey. Corey had made miraculous progress in the tampa v. A. Unit. This time, with help, corey stood, saluted, and said what you would expect. Rangers lead the way, sir. Corey is the apparently of that is the epitome of that rare sense of a combination of qualities that characterizes the best among us. A dogged sense of duty, indomitable courage, plain, american grit. President obama admires that in corey. He admires it in all American Veterans. It is why he loves them. Ladies and gentlemen, honored guest, the commanderinchief and the 44th president of the United States, barack obama. [applause] [cheers] pres. Obama thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Please. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Secretary mcdonald, distinguished guests, most of all, our extraordinary veterans and your families. The last time i stood on these hallowed grounds on memorial day, our country came to together to honor those who had fought and died for our flag. A few days before, our nation observed armed forces day. Honoring all who are serving under that flag at this moment. Today, on veterans day, we honor those who honored our country with its highest form of service. You, who once wore the uniform of our army, air force, marines, navy, or coast guard. We owe you our thanks. We owe you our respect and we owe you our freedom. We come together to express our profound gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions you and your family made on the battlefield, at home, and at outposts around the world. Americas gratitude towards our veterans is always grounded in something greater than what you did on duty. It is an appreciation of the example that you continue to set after your service has ended. Your example as citizens. Veterans day often follows a an exercise in free speech and selfgovernment you fought for. It often lays bare disagreements across our nation. The american instinct has never been to find isolation in opposite corners. It is to find a strength in our common creed. To forge unity from our great diversity. To sustain that strength and unity, even when it is hard. And when the election is over, as we search for ways to come together, to reconnect with one another, with the principles that are more enduring and transitory politics, some of our best examples are the men and women we salute on veterans day. It is the example of young americans, our 9 11 generation, whose First Responders went into smoldering towers, then ran to a recruiting center and signed up to serve. The example of a military that meets every mission, unites teams, all looking out for one another, all getting each others backs. It is the example of the single most diverse institution in our country. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen who represent every corner of our country, every shade of humanity. Immigrant and nativeborn. Christian, muslim, jew, and nonbeliever alike. All forged in the common service. That is the example of our veterans. Patriots, who when they take off their fatigues, put back on the camouflage of everyday life in america and become our Business Partners and bosses, teachers, coaches, First Responders, city councilmembers, community leaders, role models, all still serving this country we love with the same sense of duty and with valor. A few years ago, a middle school from missouri entered an essay contest about why veterans are special. This is what he wrote. When i think of a veteran, i think of men or women who will be the first to help an elderly lady across the street. I also think of someone who will defend everyone, regardless of their race, age, gender, hair color, or other discriminations. After eight years in office, i particularly appreciate that he included haircolor. [laughter] pres. Obama but that middle schooler is right. Our veterans are still the first to help, still the first to serve. They are women, like the retired military policewoman from buffalo who founded an American Veterans post and is building a safe place for homeless female veterans with children. [applause] pres. Obama they are men like the two veterans from tennessee, one in his 50s, one in his 60s, who wrote me to say they would happily suit up and ship out if we needed them. We might be a little old, they wrote, but we will be proud to go and do what we were taught to do. Whenever the world makes you cynical, whenever you seek true humility and selflessness, look to a veteran. Look to someone alike First Lieutenant irving lerner. He was born in chicago to russian jewish immigrants during world war i. He served as a bombardier in the air corps, flying dozens of missions towards the end of world war ii. When he returned home, he did what a lot of veterans do. He put his medals away and kept humble about his service, started living a quiet life. One fall day, walking on sheffield avenue on chicagos north side, a stranger stopped him and said thank you for your service, and handed him a ticket to see the cubs play in the world series. [applause] pres. Obama it is a good thing irving took that ticket. Because it would be a while until his next chance. [laughter] pres. Obama irving worked hard, managing warehouses for his brotherinlaws tire company. He got married 28 sargent in the womans air corps, no less. He raised four children, the oldest of whom is celebrating her 71st birthday today. On a june morning many years ago, another one of his daughters, carol, called the check in. Her mother answered but was in a rush. We cant talk, she said, your father is being honored and we are late. Carol asked, honored for what. The answer came, for his heroism in the skies above normandy exactly 50 years earlier. You see, his children never knew their father flew over the french beachheads. He never mentioned it. Now, when a call to check in, the children always say, thank you for saving the world. Irving, sharp as ever at 100 years young always replies, well, i had a little help. Whenever the world makes you cynical, whenever you doubt the courage and goodness and selflessness is possible, stop and look to a veteran. They do not always go around telling stories of their heroism. So it is up to us to ask and listen and tell those stories for them. And to live the values for which they were prepared to give theirs. It is up to us to make sure they always get the care they need. When i announced my candidacy for this Office Almost a decade ago, i recommitted this generation to that work. We have increased funding by more than 85 . We have cut veteran homelessness almost in half. Today, more veterans have access to health care and fewer are unemployed. We help the disabled veterans afford a preset experience afford prosthetics. [applause] pres. Obama we help disabled veterans, we are delivering more Mental HealthCare Services because we know not all wounds of war are visible. Together, we began this. Together, we must continue to keep that sacred trust with our veterans and honor their good work with our own, knowing that our mission is never done. It is still a tragedy that 20 veterans a day take their own lives. We have to get them the help they need. We have to keep solving problems like long wait times at the v. A. We have to keep cutting the disability claims backlog. We have to resist any effort to outsource and privatize the health care we owe americas veterans. [applause] pres. Obama on veterans da