Obama marks Veterans Day with wreath-laying

CHICAGO – President-elect Obama honored fallen troops Tuesday by placing a wreath at a memorial and making a Veterans Day pledge to the many Americans who have served in the military.

"Let us rededicate ourselves to keep a sacred trust with all who have worn the uniform of the United States of America: that America will serve you as well as you have served your country," Obama said in a statement. "As your next commander in chief, I promise to work every single day to keep that sacred trust with all who have served."

One week after winning the presidential election, Obama took a brief break from his primary tasks of mapping out his administration and monitoring the economic crisis to mark Veterans Day at the bronze soldiers memorial between the Field Museum and Soldier Field in Chicago.

The Illinois senator, who will inherit wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from President Bush, was accompanied by Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who lost her legs in combat. She later ran unsuccessfully for Congress and now is the Illinois governor's veterans affairs director.

On a brisk autumn day, Obama moved a pre-positioned wreath a few feet closer to the front of the memorial that bore the phrase "dedicated to the defenders of our liberty." He and Duckworth bowed their heads briefly and then each saluted.

In his statement Obama praised "the extraordinary service and selfless sacrifice of our nation's veterans" who have "defended the American people and stood up for American values."

"Since 9/11, a new generation of American heroes has borne a heavy load in facing down the threats of the 21st century, and their families have been asked to bear the painful absence of a loved one. These Americans are the best and bravest among us, and they are all in our thoughts and prayers," he added.

Aside from the short public appearance, Obama as huddling in private with top advisers planning for the transfer of presidential power in January. His aides say no Cabinet positions are to be announced this week, though White House staff positions may come later in the week.

Good. He needs to get with the program.

For him it will be an odyssey...

"Let us rededicate ourselves to keep a sacred trust with all who have worn the uniform of the United States of America: that America will serve you as well as you have served your country," Obama said in a statement. "As your next commander in chief, I promise to work every single day to keep that sacred trust with all who have served."

He'll need to make sure he dedicates himself to those who will serve in the future as well.

He and Duckworth bowed their heads briefly and then each saluted.

I'm glad to hear that he's gone from NOT paying respect to the flag to saluting.


"Since 9/11, a new generation of American heroes has borne a heavy load in facing down the threats of the 21st century, and their families have been asked to bear the painful absence of a loved one. These Americans are the best and bravest among us, and they are all in our thoughts and prayers," he added.

I hope he stays aware of the continued threats we will no doubt face.

Tammy Duckworth or Max Cleland for Obama's Secretary of Veteran's Affairs!

quote:

Originally posted by RRR52:
Good. He needs to get with the program.

You, and many others, my be surprised.

I like Max Cleland. Hope he gets it. I understand he lost his legs to a fragging in Nam... it happened.... but, there are other stories as well. He would do the best job.

Barack Obama knows what patriotism is.

I thought I'd post some pictures of the wreath laying. She was also interviewed in the November 9, 2008 PARADE Sunday Magazine:


What Our Veterans Need

Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Tammy Duckworth, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot, lost both legs when her aircraft came under enemy fire in Iraq in 2004. As director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, she is now trying to improve care for others who have served our nation.

Veterans’ advocates say Illinois should serve as a federal model. Why?

I helped start the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program, which screens 100% of returning National Guard members from Iraq and Afghanistan for traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. And I’ve launched GI Loan for Heroes, a program that assists veterans in buying homes. The Illinois VA also gives employers $600 for each veteran hired, to ensure that they can re-enter the workforce after they come back.

What particular challenges have you had to deal with in your job?

There’s a growing population of veterans who need help, and we have less money to do it with. Soldiers are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan at the same time as Vietnam vets are retiring. And since many veterans in Illinois live far from a VA center, they end up at local facilities, so the cost of caring for them has shifted from the federal government to the state.

What misconceptions do you think people have about veterans?

That they are not good employees, either because they’ll get deployed again or they’ll have mental problems. That is absolutely wrong. These are people who are willing to guarantee their work with their lives and who can commit to something greater than themselves.

— Tara McKelvey

'http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/what-our-veterans-need.html'









'http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/11/obama_tammy_duckworth_honor_ve.html'

IMO, she would be a good choice to head up the VA. Young, smart and dedicated to the veteran.

We certainly hope so.