Veterans Day Commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery
Duane Sarmiento, thank you very much for that introduction, for your leadership of the VFW, and special thanks to your team for partnering with VA in hosting today’s ceremony.
Mr. President, Dr. Biden—as a military family and surviving parents of Iraq War Combat Veteran Major Beau Biden, you have brought to the White House unrelenting and forcefully demanding advocacy for Veterans and their families.
Madame Vice President, Mr. Emhoff; Chairman and Marine Veteran Mike Bost; Ranking Member Mark Takano; most importantly, to all the Veterans here today, your families, caregivers, and survivors, good morning.
It is fitting that we gather today at Arlington National Cemetery, on these hallowed, rolling hills overlooking our nation’s capital. With one sweep of the eye, we see the cost of freedom in the rows of marble headstones stretching into the distance, the final resting places of our nation’s heroes, and in the precision of the sentinels guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
And in today’s ceremony we see our nation’s Colors, flying alongside the flags of Veteran Service Organizations. I’m always struck by, and moved by the Veterans carrying those flags—a parade of patriotism marked by the same pride and precision as when they wore the uniform. We are here today to honor them. To honor each of you.
You are the unique strength of America. You reflect the exceptional diversity of our nation, coming from all backgrounds, ages, faiths, colors, and creeds. You represent, as the President reminds us, the very soul of America. And you continue to serve this country, to defend and strengthen our democracy long after you’ve stood your final formation. In fact, Vets are more civically engaged by nearly every measure: more likely to vote, to volunteer your time, to donate to charities, and to be involved in your communities. You are our neighbors, our friends. You’re our pastors, cops, firefighters, teachers, local leaders, coaches, and loved ones.
There are Vets whose names we know, and others whose names we may not know, but whose impact resonates in the heart of every community across this great country, which is stronger because of you, because of your service in uniform, and because of your continued service since.
I’m thinking of Veterans like David Muniz, a Navy Vet from Grand Junction, Colorado—one of VA’s more than 1,300 peer specialists, trained to help guide Vets through recovery from substance use or mental health challenges. David uses his personal experiences to inspire hope—a role model for his fellow Vets.
And Tammy Barlet out of Crownsville, Maryland, who patrolled the Persian Gulf during her time in the Coast Guard. Tammy found a passion in Veteran advocacy when she came home. Today, she’s a public health expert and VSO leader, supporting Veterans in higher education.
Veterans like Daniel Martin, an Army Vet out of Los Angeles, California. After the military, Daniel struggled. That is, until he heard about VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation Compensated Work Therapy program, which helped turn his life around. Today, Daniel’s the lead carpenter at West Los Angeles VA and a mentor in the very same VA program that offered him a second chance.
Or Clete Cashman, a 95-year-old Marine Corps Vet out of Dubuque, Iowa. Clete fought on the front lines during the Battle of Bunker Hill in the Korean War. He lost his best friend in that battle, and Clete was evacuated after being hit by shrapnel. I met Clete recently at a meeting in our Dubuque VA clinic. He came to the meeting because he said he “wanted to be part of any group that is figuring out how to take care of one another.” As is the case with all Marine Vets, he wasn’t there for himself. He came for others. “There is just too much hate,” he said, “and we need more love.”
And Tahina Montoya, our emcee for today’s event. Tahina has two jobs: one as an Air Force Reservist, another serving Veterans at VA. Proudly serving her country—in and out of uniform—every single day.
Veterans helping Veterans, always there for each other, always thinking of their country, never leaving behind a fellow Vet, continuing to strengthen our democracy. There is nothing better. That speaks to your sense of duty, your devotion to one another, and to our country. At VA, we will stop at nothing to serve you every bit as well as you have served—and continue serving—all of us.
As President Biden reminded us in his inaugural address, it is our responsibility to those heroes who lie in eternal rest here at Arlington, and to those Veterans still living, to ensure that “democracy and hope, truth and justice [do] not die on our watch, but [thrive].” Mr. President, Veterans are answering that call. And we are forever in their debt.
With that, it is now my great honor and privilege to introduce the 46th President of the United States of America, Joe Biden.
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