"Tangible depictions and memorials to military service exist in cities across our land and even overseas: commemorating Soldiers and Airmen who liberated Europe, Sailors who won the war in the Pacific, Marines who etched their glory in stone at Iwo Jima, and Coast Guardsmen who stand watch over our shores. But the spirit behind such service truly resides in the hearts and souls of our veterans themselves. America could not be more proud of you."
(November 11, 2009, Veteran's Day Message 2009)
"All of us who wear the cloth of our nation are indebted to you and we think about your service all the time ... we want to make sure that we honor that service in our service. We honor you, we will remember you -- we will never forget that service."
(January 24, 2008, Extreme War Injuries Conference, Washington, D.C. )
"I swore, when this war started, I would do all I could to make sure we would not generate another generation similar to the one we generated that is my generation coming from that war. It has got to be all of us that are committed to this and not just let the system take care of them and not just let them drift away."
(January 24, 2008, Extreme War Injuries Conference, Washington, D.C. )
"The Vietnam conflict was a life-defining experience for every American who lived during that era, and it continues to impact us all – the pain, the conflict, the healing, the lessons we learned in Vietnam we bought at a very great price.
"
(May 31, 2010, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Observance, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.)
"We must never allow America to become disconnected from her military – never. Never allow a wall to stand between citizens and those who wear the cloth of our nation. That’s why I believe this site, this wall, is so special...We know we stand on the shoulders of the Vietnam generation, as our young Americans in uniform give all they have to provide their children, our grandchildren, a safer world. "
(May 31, 2010, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Observance, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.)