Millions of our heroes living with the wounds of war, with a place of healing, remembrance, and gratitude for all they have given, and by so doing we help d to ensure that our nation will endure for generations to come. For if we do not remember our defenders, our heroes, how can we expect future generations to step up to serve . Certainly what happened perio postvietnam when we forgot our returning veterans weakened our nation. It was a shameful period in our history, and we must never, eve let that happen again. [ applause ] remembering and honoring our veterans is paramount to our 21 national security. This places a critical lly, importance on always taking care of our military service memberse and their families before, during, and after the battle. The dangers of the 21st centuryg are clear. With no doubt that this century will be equally, if not more dangerous than the previous one. The United States must maintainy a strong defense, impossible to do without strong defenders, and for all theyve done, for all theyve sacrificed, they ask so little in return. Knowing they are honored, that they will get the care they need when they need it, that they are not forgotten, and that their sacrifice is appreciated can d make a world of difference. Word 13 years ago on that terrible ee september morning little did we. Know that the coming years would bring us thousands of gold star families and entire new ands generations of real life Lieutenant Dans. We now have upwards of 4 millio living with their injuries, hae wounded in americas wars, supported and looked after by cs our unsung heroes, americas l caregivers. Oounsung we cannot give those wounded veterans back their arms we cannot give back those wounded veterans back their arms and legs. Ms we cannot give them back their eyes, their ears, the pieces ofm themselves that have been lost,n or the minds that have been buw altered, but we can give them and we must give them our em respect, our everlasting thanks, and our support. Ou one of our great military leaders, retired admiral williai h. Mcraven, a u. S. Navy s. E. A. La gave the commencement speech last spring at his alma mater, the university of texas. Their motto at ut is what starts here changes the world, and he gave lessons from what he learned in his s. E. A. L. Trainin that the students could inhe implement to change and s influence the world as they les graduated and went forth into nr society. El, one of those lessons was about r having to swim under a ship at night and find the keel, the pt center line, and the deepest part of the ship. Ip w this is the darkest part of the ship where you cannot see your o hand in front of your face, where the noise from the ships machinery is deafening, and where it is easy for even a welltrained navy s. E. A. L. To get disoriented and fail. Admiral mcraven said every said s. E. A. L. Knows that under the s. Keel at the darkest moment of h the mission, it is the time when you must be the most calm and composed. Ctical when all your tactical skills, your physical power, and all gee your inner strength must be brought to bear. If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment. We can never do enough for our nations freedom providers, our heroes, but we can always show them we appreciate what they have fought and sacrificed for by doing a little bit more to i give Something Back to them. And as all americans benefit nd from the freedom and security provided by our military community, very simply if everyr citizen in every neighborhood i every community and every town and city and every state would make it a priority to seek out and serve the needs of the veterans and military families within those communities, to er, have the courage to take determined action to walk with our veterans, many of whom have lived through the darkest moments of life in combat or have come home physically or ae mentally injured and may face many dark moments ahead, if we the people will show our appreciation with a willingness to serve above self, to help them move forward just as Lieutenant Dan taylor was able to to do, then we will be at our very best in someone elses darkest moment. Thank you for allowing me to speak at this important dedication ceremony for the American Veterans disabled for life memorial. Eas im proud to have played some small role in this effort. Thank you to those brave warriors in attendance today fo everything you have done for our country. Toda may god bless all those still serving in harms way, our military families, and may god bless and watch over our americ and help us to continue to honor our heroes so that we may long h endure. Thank you. [ applause ] lets hear it once more for the United States army band, conductor First Lieutenant joel dubois. As you know, recently president obama appointed a new secretary of Veterans Affairs, the honorable robert mcdonald, who is here with us today. Secretary mcdonald is a 1975 graduate of the United States military academy at west point and an alumnus of the university of utah where he earned an mba, an army veteran and both airborne and ranger qualified he served with the 82nd airborne division. Upon leaving military service, captain mcdonald was awarded the Meritorious Service medal. In 1980 secretary mcdonald joined procter gamble, a fortune 50 company, and he rose through the ranks to become chief executive officer and president. He retired in june of 2013, nominated by president obama as the eighth secretary of Veterans Affairs on june 30th. He was confirmed by the United States senate on july 29th, 2014, and we are grateful to him for his service to our country and our veterans. Please welcome secretary mcdonald. [ applause ] thank you, ray. Secretary jewell, mrs. Hope, mr. Sinise, mr. Wilson, mr. Joyner, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a heartfelt welcome to our veterans and to all their families. I am deeply honored to help dedicate a grateful nations memorial to veterans disabled for life. Individually and collectively they are the lifeblood of democracy. As president obama recently reminded us, when the world is threatened, it calls on america, and then we call on our troops. Because of them, our countrys highest principles and ideals endure. Our nation stands as the worlds foremost example of freedom, justice, and opportunity, and because of them we can ensure a more secure future for all americans. The men and women we honor today in whom this memorial honors in perpetuity endure the pain and meet the challenges of lifelong disability. Through their sacrifices and perseverance, they have contributed not only to the freedoms that we all enjoy, but also to the medical advances that benefit so many people. More than any others, the Veterans Affairs department exists to serve them. They are the vas most important focus, and their disabilities and needs continue to drive progress across our triad of care. In va research that advances medical science, in our training that prepares doctors and nurses to treat veteran patients according to the highest standards of excellence, advocacy, and respect, and in leading edge Clinical Care that promotes treatment, healing, and ultimately cures. As the Nations Health care leader, all americans have benefited from va successes in treating disabled veterans. The work of vas medical professionals has been recognized by three nobel prizes, seven lasker awards, among many, many other honors. Few are aware that va research developed the cardiac pacemaker, the First Successful liver transplant, the nicotine patch, and the worlds most advanced prosthetics, including vas revolutionary brain gate. Its a break through that makes it possible for totally paralyzed patients to control robotic arms using only their thoughts. Affiliated with over 1,800 educational institutions, va has no equal in training Americas Health care professionals. More than 70 of all u. S. Doctors have trained with the va, and each year va educates 62,000 medical School Students and residents, 23,000 nurses, and over 33,000 trainees in other health fields. Every day from maine to manila, they deliver Compassionate Care using things like the Electronic Medical records that va pioneered and its error reducing bar Code Software that ensures the correct medications in the correct dosage are administered to the correct patient. Its all carried out in the knowledge that veterans disabled in service to our country are at the heart of our mission. Few have given more to america and here in the shadow of the nations capitol, this imposing memorial stands as a powerful reminder of their service and their sacrifice. At va were reminded every single day of their outsized contributions to our country, and its our pride and our privilege to claim the honor of caring for those who have borne the battle. Without question its the most noble and Inspiring Mission in all of government. Thank you and may god bless us all. [ applause ] thank you, mr. Secretary. Also with us today to share their unique insights are two disabled veterans, both of whom have devoted countless hours to the creation of this memorial. The first speaker a dennis joyner, a director and secretary of the disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation who was awarded the bronze star and purple heart for his service in vietnam. Let us thank dennis and welcome him. [ applause ] thank you. Thank you, former secretary lahood. Distinguished guests, thank you. Distinguished guests, friends, my fellow disabled veterans, and their families, today we come together to dedicate the American Veterans disabled for life memorial. I would like to take a few moments to share with the journey that brings me and my family here today. I was in vietnam only 32 days when i was wounded. Being assigned to a recon unit with the United States army 9th Infantry Division in the mekong delta, we were on patrol when we came to a canal that we needed to cross. With the tide coming in causing a strong undercurrent, those of us who had already crossed went back to help the nonswimmers across. After getting back in single file formation, little did i know that i would walk the last three steps of my life. For after that third step, my life was going to start over. I never heard the explosion that day, june 26th, 1969. Never losing consciousness, i could see exactly what had happened to my legs and my left arm, and my Immediate Reaction was let me die. Knowing that he must keep me from going into shock, Sergeant Reynolds slapped me across the face and screamed, joyner, you have a lot to live for. You have a wife back home waiting for you and a son, and you want to die . Sergeant reynolds, i would never have survived without you on the battlefield that day or for the last 45 years without the assurance that i had a lot to live for that you gave me. I owe you my life. And i know that saving my life has had a profound effect on you and your family. As the visions and memories from that day are forever etched in your mind, and i am so blessed that ed reynolds and his family are here today to share in this historic event. Ed, please stand up. Thanks, buddy. I was sent back to Valley Forge Army hospital to recover under a young army surgeon, dr. Craig roberts, who was not yet even 30 years old. My wounds eventually healed cleanly, and although fitted with prosthetic legs, i opted for a wheelchair. For me i have been blessed to pick up the pieces from that day in vietnam and live a life of fulfillment. Although we, disabled veterans, live a life different than most, we have been most fortunate. We dont have to go it alone. Weve had our family and friends with us for the entire journey through the good times and the difficult times. Our families and friends have also had to deal with the effects caused by our injuries. I cant imagine the fear, the terror, that must have been in my familys hearts and minds that day they received the telegram explaining the severity of my injuries with no way to contact the hospital or even know where i was 12,000 miles away in a wartorn country. And probably more difficult than that, having to walk those long halls at Valley Forge Army hospital for the first time not knowing what to expect, what was i going to look like, what my attitude would be, trying to think of what to say. Seeing me for the first time minus three limbs. A walk my mother would often say was the longest walk of her life. And how difficult must it have been for my wife to hear the words, her daddy doesnt have any legs, said by one of my daughters kindergarten classmates and the laughter that filled the room. All the children laughing except for one, my daughter. As tears filled her eyes, she said, why are they laughing at my daddy . Or the lifelong impression that was formed in a 14yearold girls young mind as she visited us Wounded Soldiers on ward 4cd at Valley Forge Army hospital, an allamputee ward, for four years helping to lift our spirits and encourage us on. Diane, i thank you, and we will forever remember and love you for all that you have done for us. To my family, my sister and brother, who were there that day my parents received the telegram from vietnam. To my sons and daughter who have had to live their lives as children of a disabled veteran. With a father who at times was unable to be as normal as their friends dads. And to my wife, donna, who came into my life at a very difficult time and who has always accepted me for the man that i am. I want you all to know that a part of me wants to say im sorry that you have had to share in my lifetime sacrifices as a disabled veteran, but down deep in my heart i cant apologize. I can only thank you for showing your love for this great country of ours by being beside me throughout my journey. Today i have been honored to share a small part of my life as a disabled veteran and the impact that it has had on my family and my friends. We are not unique in our story. We are just one example of the thousands of lives affected by the lifelong disabilities that are the terrifying consequences of war. Although i have been blessed with many achievements in life, the achievement that i am most proud of is this memorial. A memorial that gives me and the many thousands of other disabled veterans like me a sense of contentment knowing that what we gave, what our families gave, and what we continue to give will be forever remembered here in our nations capitol. God bless the nations disabled veterans and god bless the United States of america. Dennis, i know that everyone here will agree with me that your words were moving beyond measure. I would like to add that dennis was honored by president Ronald Reagan as handicapped american of the year and by the dav as the National Outstanding disabled veteran of the year. Dennis, all of us here are indebted to your sacrifice. Thank you. And now a man of enormous vision who defines what this memorial is all about, mr. Art h. Wilson cofounder and president of the disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation. Art served in vietnam, the philippines, thailand, and taiwan and for much of his life has been an outspoken advocate of disabled veterans striving to ensure that america understands the sacrifices made by disabled veterans. So it is my pleasure to introduce the leader, an outstanding leader, art h. Wilson, retired National Adjutant of the disabled American Disabled Veterans Organization known by all of you as dav art thank you and good morning. To all of our friends and distinguished guests, to my fellow board members, and most of all to my fellow disabled veterans, it is humbling for me to be here on this historic occasion as we dedicate a permanent place of honor for those whose sacrifices and contributions for freedom have endured the duration of our nations way of life. This is a culmination of hard work, support, and vision shared by many among them are some dear friends who are here in spirit and watching from above. We gather in our nations capital, a place where honor is bestowed upon nearly every cause and history is remembered in bronze and stone from every vantage. We honor our fallen. We honor every branch and the battles and the bold, but until this day, this very day, we have not remembered those who lived and whose lives were forever changed by the sacrifices they made in uniform. And yet without their stories and the experiences of their loved ones, we as a people cannot know the cost of war. Without acknowledging their sacrifices, we forget the courage that ensures our freedom and the promises we have made to those who defend our land. The experiences etched on these walls remind us that for those who serve and their families, war often continues long after the final bullet is fired. The most difficult fight often begins after the injury is sustained. That includes people like Felicia Westin. On february 26th, 1991, while serving as an Army Radio Operator in saudi arabia, a scud missile struck the barracks adjacent to hers. Some 27 soldiers lost their lives that day. Specialist westin was among the nearly 100 who were severely wounded. Though partially blinded by the attack, she recounts on these walls the bewildering feeling of helplessness. I felt so alone watching what was happening. By this point i knew i had been hurt, but i just wanted to find someone from my company, she said. You know, the purpose of this memorial is to honor those changed by war and to show them that they are never, ever alone. And as the words of my dear friend the late jesse