Washington- President Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and delivered remarks in the memorial amphitheater in honor of Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery November 11.
The event hosted by Erik Shinseki Secretary of Veterans Affairs featured speeches by Major General Michael S. Linnington, commander of the U.S. military district of Washington and U.S. Commander-in-Chief Russel Vowinkel.
President Obama offered appreciation from the nation to veterans and their families, “to those who are still in harm’s way and to those we have laid to rest” saying “let us rededicate ourselves to serving them as well as they have served the United States of America.”
More than 5 million Americans have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces, in the last decade, Obama said, “Of these, 3 million stepped forward after the attacks of September 11th, knowing full well that they could be sent into harm’s way.”
The President acknowledged all US Veterans saying “Whether you fought in Salerno or Samarra, Khe Sanh or the Korengal, you are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served this country with honor and distinction. On behalf of a proud and grateful nation, we thank you,”
He also commended veterans for their continued service to America, service that continues after they have left the battlefield. He encouraged communities to embrace veterans as they return home.
“For many military families, this holiday season will be a season of homecomings,” he said noting that over the next five years, “more than 1 million Americans in uniform will transition back to civilian life.”
The President acknowledged the difficulties veterans face in returning to home and pointed to the work the First Lady , Michelle Obama had undertaken in encouraging US companies to employ more veterans.
“I challenged our business leaders to hire 100,000 post-9/11 veterans and their spouses over the next few years and yesterday, many of these leaders joined Michelle to announce that they will meet that challenge,” he said.
Secretary Shinseki said the Obama administration had been active in eliminating a backlog of veterans claims including those involving the effects of Agent Orange, Gulf War illness and Post Traumatic Stress disorder.
Funds had also been directed to both physical and mental healthcare for Veterans, hospitals, improved centers and facilities for women and families and those Veterans who are struggling with homelessness.
The Obama administration had overseen “the largest single increase to the Veterans Affair Budget in over 30 years”, Shinseki told the assembled audience.
The Office of Veteran’s Affairs (OFVA) offers services which include physical and mental healthcare, education, crisis prevention, vocational training and job placement and is currently running a campaign to raise awareness amongst veterans and their families of the services they are entitled to.
Elsewhere in the district Veterans Day wreath laying ceremonies and services were held at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, the World War II Memorial and Navy Memorial, where the Veteran’s Writing Project hosted a special reading by authors.
Amongst them were Kelly Kennedy, U.S. Army desert storm veteran and author of “They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq,” Charlie Pulumbo, U.S. Navy veteran, activist and author of “The Face of Memory” and Ron Capps, U.S. Army, Army Reserve and National Guard Veteran, founder of the Veterans Writing Project and author of “Writing War” A Guide to Telling Your Own Story.
The non-profit Veterans Writing Project provides no cost writing seminars and workshops for veterans.
