 Trevor J. Bradencamp, Commanding General of Joint Task Force National Capital Region and United States Military District of Washington, Ms. Karen Durham Aguilera, Executive Director, Army National Military Cemetery and the Office of Army Cemetery, Mr. Dwayne Sarmiento, Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the Honorable Dennis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the procession of our nation's colors and those of our veteran service organizations. As we march on the colors, the United States Air Force Band will play the national emblem march. Please place your hand over your heart or render a hand salute. Please remain standing for the invocation given by Chaplain Kimberly Willis, Executive Director of Chaplain Service for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pledge of Allegiance. Good morning. If you will please join me in prayer and a manner commiserate with your tradition. Sovereign and faithful God, we thank you for meeting us in this discreet time in history on these hailed grounds of the Memorial Amphitheater, where we are honored to gather in community and solidarity to celebrate and remember the generations of faithful and honorable armed forces members who have given so much of themselves so that we can stand freely in the rays of your sunlight. They, bound by a common sense of duty, courage and optimism, unwaveringly committed themselves to be an example to the nation and nations of service before self, as they steadfastly stand on the wall, protecting us from all threats, foreign and domestic. It is their vigilance which enables the enduring shining light of liberty for every man, woman and child without exception. Their service, oh God, has come with a cost, a cost that we don't know how to measure. And so we ask that we remember those who are no longer with us, those who are suffering with physical and invisible wounds, and those who are yet to come home. We pray that you, the God who sees, hears, and is filled with compassion, extend your gracious hand of comfort to lift heavy hearts, minds and spirits. God, we pray that each of their sacrifices serves as a clarion call to each of us, that freedom is not free, and we too must sacrifice to ensure that democracy defeats every threat of tyranny. We do this together intentionally, transcending that which would serve to separate us. We pray that you, oh God, extend your righteous hand towards our service members who are currently deployed. Bring them back home to us safely. God, we pray for our families who carry the burden of the pain of their service member, and we pray for veteran service organizations who tirelessly work to advocate for the needs of veterans, their families, and their caregivers, connecting the most vulnerable to needed services. Bless the Department of Veteran Affairs, who daily serves as your hands and feet to heal and comfort, to support and build, and honor and hold our veterans' sacred trust. God, we beseech you now to endow our nation's leaders with divine wisdom, protection, and health as they uphold their duty to ensure the rights to life and liberty for all of our citizens. Finally, may God bless each of you, and may God bless the United States of America. Now, I'd like to invite Mr. Dwayne Sarmiento, Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. It is now my distinct privilege to introduce the members of the Veterans' Day National Committee. The Committee was formed by Presidential Order in 1954 to plan this annual observance in honor of America's Veterans and to support Veterans' Day observances throughout the nation. Please hold your applause until I've introduced each special guest. If you're able, please stand when your name is called. Mr. Dwayne Sarmiento, Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Mr. John Hanzik, National President, Fleet Reserve Association, Mr. William Clark, National Commander, Amvets, Mr. Don Condos, National Commander, Army and Navy Union, United States of America, Retired, United States Navy, Master Chief Petty Officer Gary McClure, President and National Commander, Non-Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America, Mr. Daniel C. Hafer, National Commander, The American Legion, Mr. Carter Ferguson, National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Mr. Warren Griffin, National Commandant and Chief Executive Officer, Marine Corps League, Retired, United States Army Chaplain, Brigadier General Robert Plaskowski, National President, Military Chaplain's Association of the United States of America, Mr. Robert Thomas, National President and Chairman of the Board, Paralyzed Bertons of America, Sergeant Major Justin LaHue, National Commander, Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Retired, United States Army, Brigadier General Victor Perez, Commander-in-Chief, Military Order of the World Wars, Retired, United States Navy, Chief Petty Officer Deborah Olshig, National President, The Retired Enlisted Association, Retired, United States Army, Master Sergeant Leroy Petrie, Past President, Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States of America, Ms. Nancy Espinoza, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans, Retired, United States Air Force, Lieutenant General Brian Kelly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Military Officers Association of America, Commander James Gooch, Chair, Board of Directors, Commissioned Officers Association of the United States Public Health Service, Mr. Keith Reed, Executive Director, Air Force Sargeants Association, Mr. Stephen Fajchehoski, State Commander, Polish Legion of American Veterans of the United States of America, Mr. Jeffrey Brodor, National President, Korean War Veterans Association of the United States of America, Mr. David Rodriguez Sr., National Commander, American GI Forum of the United States, Mr. Lawrence Wolfe, National Commander, Catholic War Veterans, Mr. Donald Overton Jr., Executive Director, Blinded Veterans Association, Retired, United States Army, Colonel Barry Lachinsky, National Commander, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Dr. Wayne Reynolds, National Treasurer, Vietnam Veterans of America, The associate and emeritus members of the committee are located to my front right. I'd like to ask the presidents and national commanders who comprise our associate and emeritus membership to stand and be recognized. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing our veterans national leadership with your applause. It is now my pleasure to introduce the Executive Director, Army National Military Cemetery and the Office of Army Cemeteries, Ms. Karen Durham Aguilera. Hey, good morning. What a beautiful day. And yes, every day is a beautiful day here at Arlington National Cemetery. On behalf of the Secretary of the Army, Honorable Wormoth, and the dedicated men and women who serve here, welcome to Arlington National Cemetery. I especially extend a warm welcome to President Joe Biden. Thank you for being with us and honor our nation's veterans, Mr. President. Welcome also to our First Lady, Dr. Biden, Vice President Harris, Second Gentleman Imhoff. I also thank the host for today's observance, our Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Otto McDonough, and his key guest, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Commander Dwayne Sarmiento. Also our Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Kathleen Hicks, and our Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Chris Grady. Welcome also to all of our visiting dignitaries, cabinet secretaries, service secretaries, service chiefs, our veterans and families, and everyone watching across the nation. Thank you for being here with us. We are gathered here today at the very heart of our nation's most hollow grounds to celebrate and honor our military veterans. The theme for Veterans Day this year is service. I can think of no better way to describe our veterans. Their selfless service is the very reason we are here and that we exist as a nation. United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guard men, and Space Force Guardians have tirelessly served across the world and they continue to do so every hour of every day. Our nation's veterans raise the right hands to serve. Veterans Day offers a special opportunity to reflect upon that oath of service. Our mission here at Oriental National Cemetery is to always honor and remember their selfless legacies. We teach an estimated four million visitors yearly about service and sacrifice through our extensive education programs and historical tours. We also invite visitors to witness the solemn changing of the guard and the two of the unknown soldier and to participate in re-ceremonies that pay homage to the unknowns and all service members who gave the lives for our country. We here at Oriental National Cemetery are honored, honored and humbled to serve here and care for their veterans in their final resting place. We are the home for nearly 450,000 of our veterans and their families. For those who have loved ones laid to rest here, know that we will always care for them and honor their service. This is the heart of our mission and we talk about that every day. I also profusely thank spouses, parents, family members, Goat Star community for your dedicated support to your loved ones who have served and are currently serving. For our veterans, you are in service and sacrifice to a grateful nation. But today and every day for over 159 years in our Oriental National Cemetery, we are in service to you. Again, welcome to Arlington National Cemetery. Thank you. I would now like to introduce our Veterans Service Organization host for 2023, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the VFW. The VFW has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1899 by Veterans of the Spanish-American War. Since then, the nation's oldest and largest congressionally chartered combat veteran service organization has been a steadfast advocate for the rights and welfare of our veterans, representing millions of men and women who have served in conflicts around the world. With more than 1.4 million VFW and auxiliary members, the VFW's 52 departments made up of nearly 6,000 posts foster camaraderie among veterans in 50 states, two U.S. territories, and 13 countries across the globe. As one of the most prominent veteran advocates on Capitol Hill, the VFW played an instrumental role in virtually every significant milestone in veterans' rights, legislation, and recognition of the 20th and the 21st centuries. From the creation of the Veterans Administration, the GI Bill of Rights, and the designation of Veterans Day, to the establishment of Veterans Employment and Training Service, the Agent Orange Act, the Forever GI Bill, and the PACT Act. With accomplishments such as these, it is easy to see why members of this historic organization proudly proclaim they are still serving their fellow veterans, their communities, and their nation. The VFW is represented today by their Commander-in-Chief, Dwayne Sarmiento. Dwayne is a Navy veteran who earned his VFW eligibility for his service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following his military service, Dwayne chose to still serve his community of Gloucester County, New Jersey, first as a law enforcement officer, and then as the County Director of Veterans Affairs until his election as a VFW national officer. He is a Gold Legacy Life member of VFW post-5579 in Gipps Town, New Jersey. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Dwayne Sarmiento. Thank you. Good morning, Mr. President. Madam Vice President, Mr. Secretary, Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and fellow veterans, I am honored and humbled to stand on these hallowed grounds to address you for the 70th annual National Veterans Day Observance. I'd like to begin with a moment of silence to honor all those whose lives were cut short defending our nation and let us pause and reflect on their families who will always carry the burdens resulting from their tragic loss. Across this great country, throughout the world, in similar gatherings as this one, Americans will pause today and remember the countless contributions of our nation's veterans and the many long struggles of maintaining our freedom to honor our brave fighting men and women who for more than 249 years have underwritten our freedom by their duty, honor, and selfless service. We recognize that all veterans have given something of themselves for our country. Some have given all, laying down their lives to defend the freedoms we hold so dear. Americans have always fought for our freedoms, dating back to our nation's founding in the Revolutionary War. The history of Arlington National Cemetery is a testament to the great cost that the concepts of liberty and justice become reality and only with great sacrifice will freedom prevail. For all the veterans, regardless of their service and the error of which they served, they have paid the price time and time again. They have defended America through the best of times and through the worst of times, and they have performed their duties tirelessly. Each page of America's history is etched with the sacrifice of our armed forces. On each page, the legacy of their accomplishments is written. As much as we owe a debt to veterans of past conflicts, we owe a tremendous amount to today's generation of veterans. As I stand here today, America's best and brightest are deployed to all corners of the world in defense of the freedoms our veterans have earned us. We pray for their safe return and stand ready to support their families while they are away. For too many Americans, today is just another day, right? It's a day off from work. It's a sale at the store. It's recognized as just another holiday. But nevertheless, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude to the men and women who have done their duty to our nation through their military service. Every American, no matter where they live, no matter what they do, reaps the benefits of their service. The power of praise, the great Thomas Paine. Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it. So I stand in this solemn place. We must reaffirm our pledge to remember and honor the sacrifices of all veterans to advocate for their well-being, to ensure they receive their benefits without having to pay more than the service they've already paid for. Let us remember the principles upon which this great nation was founded, liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness. Let us remember our responsibilities to protect and preserve these ideals just as our veterans have done with their unwavering dedication. And always remember the price of freedom isn't free. You know, I look in the audience to the young people out there. Some of you are going to raise your hand enjoying the tens of thousands every year in where our nation's uniform. You'll defend our way of life and you'll defend the freedoms that we so cherish. Thank you for allowing me to speak to you and share this special day with you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for showing the support to our heroes past and present. It is now privileged to welcome the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable Dennis McDonald. Dwayne, thank you very much for that introduction, for your leadership, and for a special thanks to the VFW for hosting today's ceremony. Mr. President, Dr. Biden, as a military family and surviving parents of Iraq War Combat Veteran Major Bo Biden, you have brought to the White House unrelenting and forcefully demanding advocacy for veterans and their families. Madam Vice President, Mr. Imhoff, Chairman and Marine Veteran Mike Bost, Ranking Member Mark Tocano, most importantly to all the veterans here today, your families, caregivers and survivors, good morning. It's fitting that we gather here 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 and 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 our veteran service organizations. I'm always struck by and moved by the veterans carrying these flags, a parade of patriotism marked with the same pride and precision as when they wore the uniform. We are here to honor them. We are here to honor you, the unique strength of America. You reflect the exceptional diversity of our country, 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 the Constitution and 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, more likely to volunteer your time, to donate to charities, to be involved in your communities. You are neighbors, our friends, you are pastors, cops, firefighters, teachers, business leaders, local leaders, coaches, loved ones. There are vets whose names we know, and others whose names we may not, but whose impact resonates in the heart of every community across this great country, which is stronger because of you. I'm thinking of veterans like David Munez, 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 as a role model for his fellow vets. And Tammy Barlett 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 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 programs that offered him a second chance. Or Clete Cashman, a 94-year-old Marine 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 last week at a meeting in the Dubuque VA clinic. He came to the meeting, he said, because he wanted to be part of any group that's figuring out how to help other veterans. As is the case with every Marine vet, he wasn't there for himself. He came for others. He came for others. There's just too much hate, he said. We need more love. And Tahina Montoya, our emcee for today's event. Tahina has two jobs. One is an Air Force reservist, one 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 and continuing to strengthen our democracy. There's nothing better. It speaks to your sense of duty, your devotion to one another, and to our country. And at VA, we will stop at nothing to serve you every bit as well as you have served us, as you continue to serve us, each 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 does not die on our watch, but thrives. Mr. President, veterans are answering that call, and we are forever in their debt. With that, it is now my great honor and distinct privilege to introduce the 46th President of the United States of America, Joe Biden. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My fellow Americans, on this day, 105 years ago, the Great War ended. As news of peace reached the front lines of France, a young American soldier sent a letter home to his parents in Missouri, and I quoted, said, if only you all could see, he wrote, fighting stopped, lanterns shined in every window and door, end of quote. For those who had fought in this war, unlike any war the world had ever seen before, it was a symbol, a reminder that as long as those who stand for freedom come, white will always triumph over darkness. My fellow Americans, Jill, Vice President Harris, Second General Manamoff, Secretary McDonough, Secretary Buttigieg is here, Secretary Mayorkas, Acting Secretary Sue, Director Haynes, Deputy Secretary Hicks, Vice Chairman Grady, and most importantly, our veterans and service members, and equally important, their families. Come together today to once again honor the generations of Americans who stood on the front lines of freedom. To once again, bear witness to the great deeds of a noble few who wished everything, everything, to give us a better future. Those who have always, always kept the light of liberty shining bright across the world. Our veterans, that's not hyperbole, our veterans, every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we gather in this sanctuary of sacrifice to pause, to pay tribute to these patriots of the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. As Commander-in-Chief, I have no higher honor. As a father of a son who served, I have no greater privilege, like it's for so many of you, Veterans Day is personal to Jill and me. On this day, I can still see my son, Attorney General of Delaware, standing ramrod straight as I pinned his bars on him the day he joined the Army National Guard in Delaware. I can still feel the overwhelming pride in Major Beau Biden receiving the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross. We miss him. I can still hear my wife Jill. Every morning she got up to go to school to teach, praying over a cup of coffee. During the year, he was deployed to Iraq and six months before that, he was a civilian overseas. And like it was yesterday, I can still hear what he told me when he signed up to serve. I said, Beau, why? I said, God's truth. He said, Dad, it's my duty, duty. That was the code my son lived by in the creed that millions of veterans have followed. From Bella Woods to Baghdad to Gettysburg to Guadalcanal, from Korea to Kandahar, and beyond, each one linked in a chain of honor that stretches back to our founding days. Each one bound by a sacred oath to support and defend. Not a place, not a person, not a president, but an idea to defend an idea unlike any other in human history. That idea is the United States of America. We're the only nation in the world, only nation in the world is built on an idea. Every other nation is based on things like geography, ethnicity, religion. We're the only nation built on the idea that we're all, all created equal, endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. We haven't always lived up to it, but because our veterans, because of you, we've never walked away from it. For throughout the annals of history, whenever and wherever the force of darkness is sought to extinguish the light of liberty, American veterans have been holding the lantern as high as they can for all of us. They were there when the determined band of patriots sparked a revolution delivering a nation where everyone, everyone is endowed with certain inalienable rights. They were there, unless in a century later, they gave our nation a new birth of freedom. They were there when the forces of fascism brought the fight to the trenches of Europe and the bloody beaches of Normandy. They were there when cold upon a face of pressure in the frozen rice paddies of Korea and the sweltering jungles of Vietnam. And they were there when darkness came to our shores, signing up for tour after tour after tour to keep our democracy safe and secure these last two decades. Folks as a nation, we owe them. We owe you. Not just for keeping the flame of freedom burning during the darkest of moments, but for serving our communities even after they hang up their uniforms, for inspiring the next generation to serve. We see this at barracks and bases all across America where young women and men continue to risk their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans. We see it around the world and all the countries I've been in when our troops continue to stand with our allies against the forces of tyranny and terrorism. To this day, wherever the forces of darkness have sought to extinguish the light of liberty, American troops are there. And right by their side are their families. As the English poet John Milton wrote, they also serve who only stand and wait. They also serve who only stand and wait. Our veterans are the steel spine of this nation. And their families, like so many of you, are the courageous heart. Most Americans never see the sacrifices that you as family members also make. They'll never see those holidays, those birthdays made special, even with the empty seat at the dinner table. They'll never see all the packing and unpacking, readying the family to make another move, needing to move to a new school, a new job for the spouse. They'll never see all those nights spent waiting for word from a loved one deployed overseas because you're not sure. Too often, your sacrifices go without thanks or without acknowledgement. We must remember, only 1 percent, 1 percent of our society today protects 99 percent of us. 1 percent. We owe them. We owe you. So to all the families across our nation, to all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one who wore the uniform, to all those with loved ones still missing or unaccounted for, I want to say to you, we see you. We stand with you and we will not forget. Jesse, you have kept the ultimate faith to our country. We will keep the faith with you. As a nation, I've said many times, we have many obligations, but we only have one truly sacred obligation to prepare those we send into harm's way and to care for them and their families when they return home. It's not an obligation based on part of your politics, but on a promise that unites us all. And together, over the last three years, we've worked to make good on that promise, passing more than 30 bipartisan laws to support our veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors. That includes the PACT Act, one of the most significant laws ever to help millions of veterans who are exposed to toxins and burn pits during their military service, pitch the size of football fields that incinerate it with the wastes of war, tires, chemicals, jet fuel, and so much more. Too many of our nation's wars have served only to return home to suffer from permanent effects of this poisonous smoke. Too many have died in the 15 months since we wrote and signed the PACT Act. A half a million veterans and their surviving family members have already started receiving benefits, but far, far too many are still not getting what they need, the care they deserve. That's why I'm proud to announce that any toxin-exposed veteran who's served in any conflict outlined in the PACT Act will be able to roll with VA health care starting March of next year. We're not stopping there. The past hearing delivered more benefits, processed more claims than ever before in VA history. We expanded resources to end veterans' homelessness and veterans' poverty and the silent scourge of suicide, which is taking more veterans than war is for launching a new initiative to protect veterans from scams, because no one should be defrauded by those they defended for God's sake. Through Jill's work and others in joining forces, we've also announced the most comprehensive set of actions in our nation's history to strengthen economic opportunity for military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors. And this year, as we marked, 75 years of a desegregated military, 75 years of women's integration in the military, and 50 years of all-voluntary force, we've doubled down on our efforts to ensure all troops, all veterans, get the services they need. And that no veteran is denied the honor they earn because there is discharge for being LGBTQ+. It matters. It matters to the vet from the state of Delaware, who after years of being homeless, after years of living in a tent made of his own uniforms, finally got a roof over his head. It matters to the vet in Arkansas, who after answering Judy's call on 9-11, after dealing with debilitating post-traumatic stress for years, finally is able to receive tailored mental health care that has changed his life. It matters to the vet from Utah, after flying mission after mission over burn pits in Iraq, after being diagnosed with cancer at just 23 years of age, is finally receiving full coverage for his treatment. It matters. It matters to the vet from Florida, who is being exposed to age in orange in Vietnam after applying to being rejected for benefits four times. Finally, as he wrote to me in a letter, quote, is able to get by a little easier now. Today, we gather not only to honor these stories, but the stories of all veterans, for it's a story of our nation at its best, a nation that stands as one to forge a better future for all, a nation that faces down fear generation after generation, a nation that meets darkness with light again and again and again. No matter how high the cost, no matter how heavy the burden, ladies and gentlemen, for nearly 250 years, the sacrifice of many of you sitting in front of me and behind me, and those who served have kept our country free and our democracy strong. As that young soldier wrote more than a century ago after World War I ended, if you only could see, lanterns shine in everyone to endure. Today, we not only see that light of liberty, we live by it, just like our forebears. It's how all of us, all of us together, to ask ourselves what can we do, what must we do to keep that light burning, to keep it shining and everyone to endure for generations to come. I know we can, I know we will, because as our veterans know best, we are the United States of America, and there's nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. God bless you all, God bless our veterans, and may God protect our troops today and always. Thank you, and thank you for your service. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and join the United States Air Force Band and singing sergeants and singing God bless America. Retire the colors, the 2023 National Veterans Day Observance. Please be seated for the departure of the President of the United States and the official party. Thank you for joining us today to celebrate and honor all who served.