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The Vice President: Mr.
President, Chairman Dempsey,
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00:00:05,438 --> 00:00:10,378
Lilibet and Ziller, I know it's
been hard raising your father
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00:00:10,377 --> 00:00:14,747
and your husband, but you've
done a pretty good job.
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00:00:14,748 --> 00:00:21,858
And Chuck, there's no one I
know who, and I mean this
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00:00:21,855 --> 00:00:26,055
sincerely, we've been friends,
close friends for a long time,
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there's no one I know who
better fits the standard
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that President Kennedy set
out for our generation,
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when he said "Our success
or failure will
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00:00:37,337 --> 00:00:41,177
be measured by the answer
to four questions.
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Were we truly men
of courage?
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Were we truly men
of judgment?
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Were we truly men
of integrity?
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Were we truly men
of dedication?"
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And Chuck, it's lot more
than your physical courage
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that I admire.
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It's your moral courage
and political courage.
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You have more of
that than, well,
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anyone I've ever served
with, in all the years I've
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served in the United States
Senate as Vice President.
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And Chuck, you're a man
whose judgment and counsel
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I've always sought to
your chagrin sometimes.
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During our 12 years together in
the Foreign Relations Committee,
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the many tens of thousands
of miles we travelled around
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the world, into Northern
Iraq at a time when before
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we went in, and, excuse me,
Mr. President, I'll tell
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a quick story.
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We wanted to go into Erbil,
and we couldn't figure
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out how to get there.
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This was before
the wars commenced.
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And so, the Turks decided
to let us through.
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And we were on the border.
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And they decided to stick us in
a car with a guy who looked like
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something out of one of these
modern day road-warrior movies.
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We're both sitting
in the back seat.
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They told us, for a couple
of hours drive "Make sure
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you lie down in the seat
as often as you can,
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because you don't
want to be seen."
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And I remember Chuck
saying, "You know,
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I'm worried about my mom." (laughs)
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We're riding through
the mountains in Northern
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Kurdistan, and
you're on the phone.
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You got the cell phone
and called your mother.
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And -- but it's a pretty
interesting fellow,
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Mr. President, who's on
an important mission,
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but never forgets what
was important to him.
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You know, and your
integrity, Chuck,
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was something that everyone in
the United States Senate with
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00:02:51,304 --> 00:02:53,874
whom you worked, everyone in the
previous administrations you've
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00:02:53,873 --> 00:02:57,443
worked with recognized, and
it's recognizable immediately.
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You always mean what
you said, you said what
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you mean, and in my
neighborhood and yours,
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a promise made is
a promise kept.
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You cannot find anyone who's
ever known you where you
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have ever not kept whatever
commitment you've made,
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and your dedication to this
country and your family
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goes without having to
even make reference to.
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And Chuck, your experience
as a fellow warrior
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to all your comrades here
has established an unusual
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bond between you and
enlisted troops.
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I remember down in Basra,
everybody else was talking
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00:03:41,955 --> 00:03:44,525
to the generals, and I look
around, and where are you?
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You're over, climbing in a
Humvee with two sergeants,
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asking them
"What's going on?"
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What the problem is.
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I remember us
being in Bagdad.
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I remember us being in
Afghanistan, always,
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always walking away and
talking to the rank
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and file troops, because
you know they knew it.
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They understood it.
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You got the straight scoop.
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00:04:04,177 --> 00:04:10,417
And you've also known, Chuck,
which is I think not unique,
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but critically important,
something the President
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understands and has
exemplified, that we not only
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lead the world by the example
of our power, but by the power
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of our example.
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You've understood to your
core that America's power
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and prestige ultimately rest
upon the men and women
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in uniform that are assembled
here today and others.
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And you feel as I do,
as all of us do in here,
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we have a lot of
obligations as a country,
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but we only have one
truly sacred obligation,
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literally one -- we have
obligations to the needy,
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00:04:51,124 --> 00:04:54,894
to the elderly, to those
-- to educate our children,
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but only one truly
sacred obligation,
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and that is equip those
who we send to war,
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and care for them and their
families while and when they
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come home from war.
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And no one has been more
committed to fulfilling
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that obligation than you.
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Chuck, I'm truly going
to personally miss you.
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I'm going to miss
your presence here,
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00:05:18,051 --> 00:05:22,721
and I'm sure though that
no one in this auditorium
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misunderstands the
depth of your service,
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the sacrifices you've made, and
the friendships you've made.
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And so, Chuck, thank
you for all you've done,
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and I point a personal privilege
you used to say in the Senate
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"all you've done for me, all
you've done for the country."
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I'm proud to call you a
friend and I'm proud to stand
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00:05:44,077 --> 00:05:47,747
by you as a Secretary of
Defense about to retire.
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And as the President said,
"Being from Nebraska,
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you could have been the
Secretary of Agriculture.
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You wouldn't have
gotten any of this."
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(laughter)
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Congratulations, Chuck.
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I wish you and Lilibet,
and Ziller, and Allyn,
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all the very, very best.
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Thank you.
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(applause)
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Male Speaker: Honor Guard.
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Multiple Speakers: Hut.
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Male Speaker: Attention.
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Ceremonial.
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Multiple Speakers: Ceremonial.
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Male Speaker: At ease.
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Male Speaker: (inaudible)
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Announcer: Ladies
and gentlemen,
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the President of
the United States.
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(applause)
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The President: Thank you.
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Good afternoon, everyone.
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Michelle and I,
as some of you know,
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just spent the past
few days in India.
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I returned about
3:00 this morning.
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So I don't know
exactly what time it is.
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(laughter)
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Or what day it is.
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But I was determined to be here
with you this afternoon
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to honor and celebrate a
great friend -- to me,
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and to all of us.
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In October of 1967, President
Lyndon Johnson traveled
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to a military base
in New Mexico
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to review a top-secret
weapons program.
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And he went down to the
White Sands Missile Range
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00:08:07,119 --> 00:08:10,189
and out to the testing grounds.
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There, out in the desert,
the President watched
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as soldiers demonstrated
what would later become
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00:08:16,329 --> 00:08:19,769
the famed Stinger missile.
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And one of those soldiers
was a 21-year-old private
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00:08:23,603 --> 00:08:27,773
from Nebraska named
Charles Timothy Hagel.
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Now, the Secret Service does not
usually let me get too close
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to an active weapons system.
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It makes them nervous.
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But, clearly, they did
things a little differently
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back in LBJ's days.
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And, Chuck, I can only
assume that you were careful
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not to point the missile
at the President --
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because what followed was a
life of dedicated service
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to our nation spanning
nearly 50 years.
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Vice President Biden, members
of Congress, General Dempsey,
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00:09:01,607 --> 00:09:03,947
leaders from across
this department,
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00:09:03,943 --> 00:09:07,013
members of the Joint Chiefs
and service secretaries;
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00:09:07,013 --> 00:09:12,223
to the men and women of the
greatest military in the world
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00:09:12,218 --> 00:09:17,258
-- we gather to pay tribute
to a true American patriot.
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And let me assure you that I
checked with the Secret Service,
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and Chuck will not be demonstrating
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any missile launchers today.
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(laughter)
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As we all know, and
we've have heard again,
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Chuck loves Nebraska,
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the Cornhuskers, red beer.
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Runzas -- I don't
know what those are,
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00:09:36,642 --> 00:09:38,282
but I hear they
taste pretty good.
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(laughter)
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00:09:40,146 --> 00:09:43,186
But above all, what Chuck
loves most about his home
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00:09:43,182 --> 00:09:46,052
state is the people --
his fellow Midwesterners.
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There are just under 2
million people in Nebraska;
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00:09:48,754 --> 00:09:53,394
there are more than 7
billion people on the planet.
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But as so many of our troops
have found out themselves,
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no matter where Chuck
goes in the world --
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if you are from Nebraska,
he will find you.
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00:10:02,034 --> 00:10:03,304
(laughter)
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00:10:03,302 --> 00:10:05,502
And he'll talk with
you and listen to you,
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and ask you about your family
back home -- and chances are,
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he knows them, too.
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So today is a celebration of a
quintessentially American life
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00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:19,750
-- a man from the heartland who
devoted his life to America.
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Just imagine, in
your mind's eye,
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00:10:21,754 --> 00:10:23,754
the defining
moments of his life.
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The kid from Nebraska
who, as Marty said,
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volunteered to go to Vietnam.
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The soldier outside Saigon,
rushing to pull his own brother
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from a burning APC.
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The deputy at the V.A. who stood
up for his fellow Vietnam vets
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who were exposed
to Agent Orange.
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00:10:43,309 --> 00:10:47,049
The senator who helped lead the
fight for the Post 9/11 GI Bill,
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to give this
generation of heroes
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the same opportunities
that he had.
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I asked Chuck to lead
this department
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at a moment of profound transition.
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And today we express
our gratitude
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00:11:00,726 --> 00:11:03,466
for the progress
under his watch.
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After more than 13 years, our
combat mission in Afghanistan
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00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:10,973
is over, and America's longest
war has come to a responsible
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00:11:10,970 --> 00:11:13,610
and honorable end.
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Because of Chuck's direction,
a strategic review
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00:11:18,878 --> 00:11:21,978
has made difficult choices in a
time of tight budgets,
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while still making sure
that our forces are ready
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00:11:25,084 --> 00:11:28,224
to be called on for
any contingency.
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00:11:28,220 --> 00:11:30,890
Today, our troops are
supporting Afghan forces.
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00:11:30,890 --> 00:11:33,960
They continue to face risks,
and they remain relentless
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00:11:33,959 --> 00:11:37,129
in their pursuit of
al Qaeda networks.
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They're leading the
coalition to destroy ISIL --
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00:11:40,566 --> 00:11:43,636
a coalition that includes Arab
nations, in no small measure
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00:11:43,636 --> 00:11:48,746
because Chuck strengthened key
partnerships in the Middle East.
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00:11:48,741 --> 00:11:51,141
And under his leadership,
our forces in West Africa
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00:11:51,143 --> 00:11:55,013
are helping to lead the global
fight against Ebola --
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00:11:55,014 --> 00:11:57,854
saving lives and showing American leadership
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00:11:57,850 --> 00:12:01,190
at its very, very best.
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00:12:01,187 --> 00:12:03,657
Even as we've met these
pressing challenges,
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00:12:03,656 --> 00:12:08,096
Chuck has helped us to
prepare for the century ahead.
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00:12:08,094 --> 00:12:12,064
In Europe, a stronger NATO
is reassuring our allies.
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00:12:12,064 --> 00:12:16,134
In the Asia Pacific -- one of
my foreign policy priorities
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00:12:16,135 --> 00:12:18,775
-- Chuck helped
modernize our alliances,
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00:12:18,771 --> 00:12:22,971
strengthen partnerships,
bolster defense posture,
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00:12:22,975 --> 00:12:25,015
improve communication
between the United States
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00:12:25,010 --> 00:12:28,710
and Chinese militaries --
all of which helps to ensure
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00:12:28,714 --> 00:12:33,184
that the United States remains
a strong Pacific power.
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00:12:33,185 --> 00:12:35,955
Because Chuck helped
build new trust,
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00:12:35,955 --> 00:12:39,855
we'll expand our defense
cooperation with India.
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00:12:39,859 --> 00:12:43,959
I just demonstrated during my
visit there the degree
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00:12:43,963 --> 00:12:47,763
to which that partnership is
moving in a new direction.
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00:12:47,766 --> 00:12:50,306
That's partly attributable
to work that Chuck did.
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00:12:50,302 --> 00:12:53,972
And the reforms he launched will
help make this department
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00:12:53,973 --> 00:12:58,773
more efficient and innovative
for years to come.
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00:12:58,777 --> 00:13:01,647
Thanks to Secretary
Hagel's guiding hand,
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00:13:01,647 --> 00:13:04,247
this institution is better
positioned for the future.
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00:13:06,318 --> 00:13:08,618
But, Chuck, I want to
suggest today that perhaps
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00:13:08,621 --> 00:13:11,921
your greatest impact --
a legacy that will be felt
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00:13:11,924 --> 00:13:16,224
for decades to come --
has been your own example.
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00:13:16,228 --> 00:13:18,968
It's not simply that you've
been the first enlisted
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00:13:18,964 --> 00:13:22,304
combat veteran and the first
Vietnam veteran to serve
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00:13:22,301 --> 00:13:24,701
as Secretary of Defense.
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00:13:24,703 --> 00:13:29,243
It's how your life experience
-- being down in the mud,
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00:13:29,241 --> 00:13:32,941
feeling the bullets fly overhead
-- has allowed you to connect
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00:13:32,945 --> 00:13:37,555
with our troops like no
other Secretary before you.
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00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:40,190
You've welcomed our junior
enlisted personnel to lunch
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00:13:40,186 --> 00:13:43,456
in your office and made
them feel at home,
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00:13:43,455 --> 00:13:46,395
and they told you what
was really on their minds.
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00:13:46,392 --> 00:13:48,662
When you spoke to our newest
sergeant majors about
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00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:51,161
the true meaning of leadership
and responsibility,
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00:13:51,163 --> 00:13:54,663
they knew they were learning
from one of their own.
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00:13:54,667 --> 00:13:57,007
And in those quiet moments,
when you've pinned
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00:13:57,002 --> 00:14:01,772
a Purple Heart on a wounded
warrior, you were there not just
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00:14:01,774 --> 00:14:05,474
as a Secretary of Defense,
but as an old Army sergeant
245
00:14:05,477 --> 00:14:06,617
who knows the wages of war
246
00:14:06,612 --> 00:14:11,622
and still carries the
shrapnel in your chest.
247
00:14:11,617 --> 00:14:14,487
These aren't fleeting moments;
they reflect the driving force
248
00:14:14,486 --> 00:14:17,826
of Chuck Hagel's service
-- his love of our troops,
249
00:14:17,823 --> 00:14:19,893
and his determination
to take care of them
250
00:14:19,892 --> 00:14:23,062
after more than 13 years of war.
251
00:14:23,062 --> 00:14:26,232
Today, our military hospitals
are getting stronger,
252
00:14:26,232 --> 00:14:29,532
our women are more integrated
into the force than ever before.
253
00:14:29,535 --> 00:14:32,505
We're making progress in
combating sexual assault.
254
00:14:32,504 --> 00:14:37,474
We'll bring home the remains
of fallen heroes faster,
255
00:14:37,476 --> 00:14:40,346
and more Vietnam veterans
will finally be eligible
256
00:14:40,346 --> 00:14:42,816
for the disability pay
they deserved all along.
257
00:14:42,815 --> 00:14:46,755
And, Chuck, that's
because of you.
258
00:14:46,752 --> 00:14:47,752
That's part of your legacy.
259
00:14:47,753 --> 00:14:54,593
Of course, I'm grateful to
Chuck on a very personal level.
260
00:14:54,593 --> 00:14:57,893
Exactly 10 years
ago this month,
261
00:14:57,896 --> 00:15:00,336
I joined you in the
United States Senate,
262
00:15:00,332 --> 00:15:02,502
along with the
Vice President.
263
00:15:02,501 --> 00:15:06,441
I was new and green; you
were a veteran legislator.
264
00:15:06,438 --> 00:15:09,478
I was the student, and you
shared some of the lessons
265
00:15:09,475 --> 00:15:11,115
of your service.
266
00:15:11,110 --> 00:15:15,010
I was young and
you were -- well.
267
00:15:15,014 --> 00:15:17,414
(laughter)
268
00:15:19,885 --> 00:15:22,825
And though we came from
different parties,
269
00:15:22,821 --> 00:15:25,721
we often saw the
world the same way,
270
00:15:25,724 --> 00:15:29,324
including our conviction that
even as we must never hesitate
271
00:15:29,328 --> 00:15:35,098
to defend our nation, we
must never rush into war.
272
00:15:35,100 --> 00:15:37,340
We both believed that
America should only
273
00:15:37,336 --> 00:15:40,136
send her sons and
daughters into harm's way
274
00:15:40,139 --> 00:15:42,139
when it is absolutely
necessary.
275
00:15:42,141 --> 00:15:44,141
And when we do, we make
sure they've got everything
276
00:15:44,143 --> 00:15:47,513
that they need to succeed;
they've got a mission
277
00:15:47,513 --> 00:15:51,653
that is worthy of
their sacrifice.
278
00:15:51,650 --> 00:15:59,220
In an era of politics that too
often descends into spectacle,
279
00:15:59,224 --> 00:16:03,564
you've always served
with decency and dignity.
280
00:16:03,562 --> 00:16:05,562
And in a town
of outsized egos,
281
00:16:05,564 --> 00:16:08,404
you've never lost your
Midwestern humility.
282
00:16:10,969 --> 00:16:14,039
You've always been
frank and honest
283
00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:16,039
and said what you thought.
284
00:16:17,710 --> 00:16:24,250
And I have so profoundly
benefitted from that candor.
285
00:16:24,249 --> 00:16:27,119
You represent a tradition
of bipartisanship
286
00:16:27,119 --> 00:16:31,589
in national security that
we need more of today.
287
00:16:31,590 --> 00:16:34,130
Joe Biden reflects that.
288
00:16:34,126 --> 00:16:36,196
I see Dick Lugar in the
stands -- he reflects that.
289
00:16:38,564 --> 00:16:40,304
That's when we're at our best.
290
00:16:40,299 --> 00:16:46,209
And from sergeant to secretary,
you've always been guided
291
00:16:46,205 --> 00:16:51,715
by one interest: what
you believe is best for America.
292
00:16:51,710 --> 00:16:54,610
And I thank you for your
friendship and your counsel,
293
00:16:54,613 --> 00:16:58,613
and all of us thank you for your
character and your integrity.
294
00:16:58,617 --> 00:17:03,457
Of course, nobody serves alone.
295
00:17:03,455 --> 00:17:11,095
Lilibet, Allyn, Ziller --thank
you for sharing your husband
296
00:17:11,096 --> 00:17:14,996
and father with us, and for the
sacrifices that your family
297
00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,800
has made for all of ours.
298
00:17:17,803 --> 00:17:20,073
And, Chuck, since our lives
are so often the reflection
299
00:17:20,072 --> 00:17:22,542
of those closest to us, today
I also want to acknowledge
300
00:17:22,541 --> 00:17:26,241
the service of your brother,
Tom; the World War II service
301
00:17:26,245 --> 00:17:29,715
of your father, Charles;
the sacrifices of your
302
00:17:29,715 --> 00:17:33,115
late mom, Betty, who worked
day and night to raise
303
00:17:33,118 --> 00:17:34,818
her four sons.
304
00:17:34,820 --> 00:17:36,820
We salute this
American family.
305
00:17:39,158 --> 00:17:42,528
Our men and women
in uniform here today,
306
00:17:42,528 --> 00:17:46,298
those who stand where Chuck
once stood, they don't
307
00:17:46,298 --> 00:17:47,898
ask for much.
308
00:17:47,900 --> 00:17:50,370
They volunteered;
they accept the risks
309
00:17:50,369 --> 00:17:53,539
that come with
military service.
310
00:17:53,539 --> 00:17:57,609
But they do ask this: that
this nation take care
311
00:17:57,609 --> 00:17:59,649
of them as well as
they've taken care of us;
312
00:17:59,645 --> 00:18:02,685
that we provide them with the
resources to do their jobs
313
00:18:02,681 --> 00:18:06,181
and meet the missions
that we ask of them.
314
00:18:06,185 --> 00:18:08,425
After all that they
have given for us,
315
00:18:08,420 --> 00:18:10,420
after all that
they've sacrificed,
316
00:18:10,422 --> 00:18:12,562
they have the right
to expect that
317
00:18:12,558 --> 00:18:15,728
we will meet our
obligations as well.
318
00:18:15,727 --> 00:18:18,467
And that's my duty
as Commander-in-Chief.
319
00:18:18,464 --> 00:18:21,434
And this will be the
work of my nominee
320
00:18:21,433 --> 00:18:23,933
to be the next Secretary of
Defense -- Mr. Ash Carter.
321
00:18:23,936 --> 00:18:27,036
But this must be
the work of us all,
322
00:18:27,039 --> 00:18:30,609
as Americans grateful to
those who serve in our name.
323
00:18:30,609 --> 00:18:33,979
And that's the story
of Chuck Hagel's life.
324
00:18:33,979 --> 00:18:40,919
I'll close with a story
that came about last year.
325
00:18:40,919 --> 00:18:42,919
I was going to tell the
story about when we were
326
00:18:42,921 --> 00:18:47,691
traveling in Iraq, and Chuck
wore these pair of sort
327
00:18:47,693 --> 00:18:50,893
of Hush Puppy bedroom slipper
shoes out into the dessert,
328
00:18:50,896 --> 00:18:53,336
and the flaps started
opening up and his toes
329
00:18:53,332 --> 00:18:54,332
were sticking out.
330
00:18:54,333 --> 00:18:55,803
But I'm going to
skip that story.
331
00:18:55,801 --> 00:18:58,771
(laughter)
332
00:18:58,770 --> 00:19:02,710
He then ended up
buying me a pair --
333
00:19:02,708 --> 00:19:04,648
which I have never worn,
I'm proud to say.
334
00:19:04,643 --> 00:19:08,943
(laughter)
335
00:19:08,947 --> 00:19:09,717
This is a different story.
336
00:19:09,715 --> 00:19:11,615
One day last year I
was in the Oval Office,
337
00:19:11,617 --> 00:19:14,387
and Chuck came in
for what I thought
338
00:19:14,386 --> 00:19:16,386
would be our regular
weekly meeting.
339
00:19:16,388 --> 00:19:20,088
But he had a guest,
and he introduced us.
340
00:19:20,092 --> 00:19:24,332
His name was Jerome "Skip"
Johnson -- a friendly guy,
341
00:19:24,329 --> 00:19:28,499
a grandfather, and he was
from my hometown of Chicago.
342
00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:32,700
And Chuck explained that Skip
-- Lieutenant Johnson --
343
00:19:32,704 --> 00:19:36,204
had been his platoon
commander in Vietnam.
344
00:19:36,208 --> 00:19:39,708
But they had lost touch,
until Chuck tracked him down.
345
00:19:39,711 --> 00:19:41,711
This was the first
time they had reunited
346
00:19:41,713 --> 00:19:42,913
in nearly 50 years.
347
00:19:42,915 --> 00:19:48,055
And Chuck just wanted to bring
Skip to the Oval Office
348
00:19:48,053 --> 00:19:51,893
to say hello to the
President -- to meet his
349
00:19:51,890 --> 00:19:55,660
family, including his
young grandsons.
350
00:19:55,661 --> 00:19:58,901
And Chuck told me about
how it had been 1968,
351
00:19:58,897 --> 00:20:01,767
with protests and
race riots back home,
352
00:20:01,767 --> 00:20:05,237
causing tensions among
our troops in Vietnam.
353
00:20:05,237 --> 00:20:07,237
And Chuck's unit
was mostly white,
354
00:20:07,239 --> 00:20:10,679
but Skip is African American,
and as the platoon's commander
355
00:20:10,676 --> 00:20:13,946
he wasn't going to tolerate
any division or distrust.
356
00:20:13,946 --> 00:20:16,416
And he went to his men
and made himself clear:
357
00:20:16,415 --> 00:20:17,715
We are all Americans.
358
00:20:17,716 --> 00:20:19,716
We're going to
live together.
359
00:20:19,718 --> 00:20:21,718
We're going to take
care of each other.
360
00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:22,720
We're fighting together.
361
00:20:22,721 --> 00:20:24,721
We're going to get
each other's backs.
362
00:20:24,723 --> 00:20:26,763
Let's get it done.
363
00:20:26,758 --> 00:20:28,758
And at that moment
in the Oval Office,
364
00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:32,500
as these two soldiers
stood before me --
365
00:20:32,497 --> 00:20:36,637
with Skip's grandsons
looking on -- it wasn't
366
00:20:36,635 --> 00:20:38,635
lost on any of us how far
our nation has come.
367
00:20:41,506 --> 00:20:45,146
And I want to thank
Chuck for that moment,
368
00:20:45,143 --> 00:20:47,713
because part of the reason
we've traveled that
369
00:20:47,713 --> 00:20:55,523
distance is we've had men
like Chuck Hagel serving
370
00:20:55,520 --> 00:20:57,660
and representing what's
best in America.
371
00:21:00,392 --> 00:21:03,062
In moments when we are
tested -- as a military,
372
00:21:03,061 --> 00:21:06,361
as a nation -- sometimes
we get distracted by what
373
00:21:06,365 --> 00:21:08,765
divides us and lose
sight of what unites us.
374
00:21:08,767 --> 00:21:13,107
And at those moments, we can
draw strength from the example
375
00:21:13,105 --> 00:21:17,305
of a sergeant from Nebraska
and a lieutenant from Chicago.
376
00:21:20,479 --> 00:21:22,779
We are all Americans.
377
00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:24,921
We live together.
378
00:21:24,916 --> 00:21:26,016
We sacrifice together.
379
00:21:26,018 --> 00:21:28,858
We take care of each other.
380
00:21:28,854 --> 00:21:30,854
Sometimes we have
to fight together.
381
00:21:32,891 --> 00:21:37,261
Ladies and gentlemen, I
want to introduce to you
382
00:21:37,262 --> 00:21:41,502
my friend, our 24th
Secretary of Defense,
383
00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:44,670
and an outstanding American
-- Mr. Chuck Hagel.
384
00:21:44,670 --> 00:21:48,870
(applause)
385
00:22:17,903 --> 00:22:18,703
Secretary Hagel:
Thank you.
386
00:22:18,704 --> 00:22:21,544
(applause)
387
00:22:39,357 --> 00:22:40,357
That's about enough.
388
00:22:40,358 --> 00:22:41,928
That's enough.
389
00:22:41,927 --> 00:22:43,767
Thank you.
390
00:22:43,762 --> 00:22:45,462
Actually, I think we
can all go home now.
391
00:22:45,464 --> 00:22:46,894
(laughter)
392
00:22:46,898 --> 00:22:48,998
Mr. President, thank you.
393
00:22:52,938 --> 00:22:55,838
I'm very grateful to
you for many reasons.
394
00:22:57,509 --> 00:23:00,549
First, thank you,
for being here today.
395
00:23:00,545 --> 00:23:04,785
I know the kind of schedule
that you have been on,
396
00:23:04,783 --> 00:23:11,693
and the length of the trip,
the intensity of those visits,
397
00:23:11,690 --> 00:23:15,460
and to make this effort
today means an awful lot.
398
00:23:15,460 --> 00:23:18,030
Thank you.
399
00:23:18,029 --> 00:23:22,739
I want to also thank you for
giving me the honor of serving
400
00:23:22,734 --> 00:23:28,474
you and the American people
as Secretary of Defense.
401
00:23:28,473 --> 00:23:33,443
I will always be grateful,
always grateful for that
402
00:23:33,445 --> 00:23:38,915
opportunity, and Mr.
President, thank you for
403
00:23:38,917 --> 00:23:42,917
your strong leadership at
a very difficult time,
404
00:23:42,921 --> 00:23:50,291
a difficult time in our world
that requires wise, steady,
405
00:23:50,295 --> 00:23:53,365
careful leadership.
406
00:23:53,365 --> 00:23:56,135
You have and you are
providing that leadership,
407
00:23:56,134 --> 00:24:00,944
and I have been very proud to
serve with you in the Senate,
408
00:24:00,939 --> 00:24:04,039
in particular over the
last two years as your
409
00:24:04,042 --> 00:24:05,942
Secretary of Defense.
410
00:24:05,944 --> 00:24:08,684
Vice President Biden, thank you
as well for being here today.
411
00:24:11,016 --> 00:24:15,416
I have not forgotten some of
the stories that you told.
412
00:24:17,455 --> 00:24:21,665
I recall very well us
calling my mother on that
413
00:24:21,660 --> 00:24:27,830
trip through the mountains
of Iraq, and I remember
414
00:24:27,833 --> 00:24:29,673
you wanted to
speak with her.
415
00:24:29,668 --> 00:24:31,968
(laughter)
416
00:24:31,970 --> 00:24:33,740
And hours, and
hours later --
417
00:24:33,738 --> 00:24:36,078
(laughter)
418
00:24:38,009 --> 00:24:42,519
She never forgot that,
Mr. Vice President,
419
00:24:42,514 --> 00:24:47,524
and was so proud of
that phone conversation.
420
00:24:47,519 --> 00:24:54,129
And so I thank you for your
generous reaching out
421
00:24:54,125 --> 00:24:58,095
to my mother at a very
difficult time for her,
422
00:24:58,096 --> 00:25:03,936
because she was gone
about a month later.
423
00:25:03,935 --> 00:25:05,605
So, thank you.
424
00:25:05,604 --> 00:25:11,074
One of my greatest joys
during my time here
425
00:25:11,076 --> 00:25:14,976
in Washington has been
development of our friendship,
426
00:25:14,980 --> 00:25:18,480
and as you have noted, and
the President has noted,
427
00:25:18,483 --> 00:25:23,023
our time together, the three
of us on a Senate Foreign
428
00:25:23,021 --> 00:25:24,021
Relations Committee.
429
00:25:24,022 --> 00:25:27,562
Secretary Kerry is here today,
who knows a little something
430
00:25:27,559 --> 00:25:31,829
about this business, and to you
Secretary Kerry, thank you.
431
00:25:31,830 --> 00:25:36,900
I include you in those days.
432
00:25:36,902 --> 00:25:41,602
Our former chairman,
Chairman Lugar is here
433
00:25:41,606 --> 00:25:45,406
is well, and to Dick
Lugar, thank you.
434
00:25:45,410 --> 00:25:48,480
As you have noted,
there are special
435
00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:53,690
people in our lives
that we benefit from,
436
00:25:53,685 --> 00:25:55,685
and certainly Dick Lugar
is one of those.
437
00:25:55,687 --> 00:25:58,327
I think that we all have
benefitted a great deal
438
00:25:58,323 --> 00:26:02,963
from, and Vice President
Biden, thank you for your
439
00:26:02,961 --> 00:26:06,231
years of service to
this country as well.
440
00:26:06,231 --> 00:26:12,671
Chairman Dempsey, it's been
a great privilege for this
441
00:26:12,671 --> 00:26:16,171
little sergeant to have
worked side by side with
442
00:26:16,174 --> 00:26:20,114
a general of your character
and your courage.
443
00:26:20,111 --> 00:26:24,851
I've been very fortunate to have
you as my partner in this job,
444
00:26:24,849 --> 00:26:30,119
especially during those
self-help and educational
445
00:26:30,121 --> 00:26:33,391
opportunities called
Congressional hearings.
446
00:26:33,391 --> 00:26:36,161
(laughter)
447
00:26:36,161 --> 00:26:39,861
I was always reassured in
each of those hearings
448
00:26:39,864 --> 00:26:43,034
as we would drive to the
Hill in the morning,
449
00:26:43,034 --> 00:26:46,474
knowing that Marty
Dempsey was next to me,
450
00:26:46,471 --> 00:26:51,011
and for what you have meant
to our military, Marty,
451
00:26:51,009 --> 00:26:53,009
and what you continue
to do for this country,
452
00:26:53,011 --> 00:26:55,611
thank you very much.
453
00:26:55,613 --> 00:27:01,323
I see another great icon of
the United States Senate
454
00:27:01,319 --> 00:27:06,829
with us today, Senator
John Warner, who we all
455
00:27:06,825 --> 00:27:09,025
worked closely with
and benefitted from.
456
00:27:09,027 --> 00:27:12,527
And to our distinguished
colleagues,
457
00:27:12,530 --> 00:27:14,530
Senator Warner and
Lugar are welcome,
458
00:27:14,532 --> 00:27:16,772
and thank you for what
you've done for this
459
00:27:16,768 --> 00:27:19,068
country, as so many
of you here today.
460
00:27:19,070 --> 00:27:21,070
And I am grateful
that you would take
461
00:27:21,072 --> 00:27:25,482
the time to visit us
on this occasion.
462
00:27:27,846 --> 00:27:30,746
To the chiefs of the
services, our senior
463
00:27:30,749 --> 00:27:35,589
civilian leaders and combatant
commanders, thank you.
464
00:27:35,587 --> 00:27:38,787
Thank you for your
unflagging service, and your
465
00:27:38,790 --> 00:27:42,190
leadership, and your
commitment to this country.
466
00:27:42,193 --> 00:27:46,403
I want to particularly
acknowledge Bob Work.
467
00:27:46,398 --> 00:27:49,938
Bob Work, our deputy
secretary of defense,
468
00:27:49,934 --> 00:27:53,634
I thank him for his leadership
and our strong partnership
469
00:27:53,638 --> 00:27:55,638
over the last year.
470
00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,940
And my appreciation
as well to Ash Carter,
471
00:27:58,943 --> 00:28:01,713
for Ash's service and
his partnership during
472
00:28:01,713 --> 00:28:06,553
my first year at the Pentagon,
and for his continued commitment
473
00:28:06,551 --> 00:28:07,551
to public service.
474
00:28:07,552 --> 00:28:12,922
And my heartfelt thanks to my
security and advance staff,
475
00:28:12,924 --> 00:28:17,294
each of you played
critically important roles,
476
00:28:17,295 --> 00:28:20,635
for which my family and I
will always be grateful.
477
00:28:20,632 --> 00:28:24,002
To my personal staff and those
in the Office of the Secretary,
478
00:28:24,002 --> 00:28:26,742
you've been indispensable,
indispensable
479
00:28:26,738 --> 00:28:29,208
in helping me carry out
my responsibilities,
480
00:28:29,207 --> 00:28:30,907
and I thank you.
481
00:28:30,909 --> 00:28:33,009
And to the men and women
who serve our country,
482
00:28:33,011 --> 00:28:36,551
and their families whose
service and sacrifice
483
00:28:36,548 --> 00:28:40,688
is unequalled, you have
my deepest gratitude.
484
00:28:40,685 --> 00:28:43,455
We salute your high purpose
in defense of our freedoms
485
00:28:43,455 --> 00:28:45,055
and our values.
486
00:28:45,056 --> 00:28:48,896
Every day you wake up and
you go to work knowing
487
00:28:48,893 --> 00:28:52,093
that this department,
this department alone,
488
00:28:52,097 --> 00:28:55,467
is charged with one
fundamental mission:
489
00:28:55,467 --> 00:28:58,567
the security of
this nation.
490
00:28:58,570 --> 00:29:02,540
It's been my absolute privilege
to have been on your team.
491
00:29:04,843 --> 00:29:07,243
Over the past two years, I've
witnessed the courage and
492
00:29:07,245 --> 00:29:09,545
dignity of America's
service men and women all
493
00:29:09,547 --> 00:29:11,147
over the world.
494
00:29:11,149 --> 00:29:14,189
I've seen young enlisted
and young officers
495
00:29:14,185 --> 00:29:18,525
do their jobs realizing
that how, how they do their
496
00:29:18,523 --> 00:29:22,963
jobs is just as important
is the job itself.
497
00:29:22,961 --> 00:29:26,931
I've seen senior officers and
senior enlisted realizing that
498
00:29:26,931 --> 00:29:32,201
they're role models, maybe their
highest responsibility of all.
499
00:29:32,203 --> 00:29:34,543
And I've seen the enduring
devotion and commitment
500
00:29:34,539 --> 00:29:38,479
of their families, the mothers,
the fathers, husbands,
501
00:29:38,476 --> 00:29:42,946
wives, children, and
the sacrifices that
502
00:29:42,947 --> 00:29:45,347
they willingly, willingly
make for our country.
503
00:29:45,350 --> 00:29:49,150
Their individual commitment to
the greater good and strength
504
00:29:49,154 --> 00:29:54,924
of the institution has been
a complete inspiration
505
00:29:54,926 --> 00:29:56,696
to me in every way.
506
00:29:56,694 --> 00:29:58,664
They understand
that it's people,
507
00:29:58,663 --> 00:30:01,433
people who build and
strengthen institutions,
508
00:30:01,432 --> 00:30:04,002
and make the world
a better place.
509
00:30:04,002 --> 00:30:06,942
These are the reasons why
America's military is the most
510
00:30:06,938 --> 00:30:10,638
admired and most trusted
institution in our country.
511
00:30:10,642 --> 00:30:15,752
We must always protect that
confidence and trust by our
512
00:30:15,747 --> 00:30:20,047
conduct and our performance,
continuing to hold ourselves
513
00:30:20,051 --> 00:30:24,421
and each other to the highest
standards of professionalism
514
00:30:24,422 --> 00:30:27,462
and personal behavior.
515
00:30:27,458 --> 00:30:32,128
As I will soon leave this job
that I have cherished for
516
00:30:32,130 --> 00:30:38,140
the last two years, I want you
all to know that the things
517
00:30:40,171 --> 00:30:45,781
that I have most respected
and most admired are
518
00:30:45,777 --> 00:30:50,117
your dignity, your courage,
and your dedication.
519
00:30:50,114 --> 00:30:53,184
The opportunity to have
been part of all this
520
00:30:53,184 --> 00:30:57,254
is something I could not
have imagined when I joined
521
00:30:57,255 --> 00:31:00,625
the Army 48 years ago.
522
00:31:00,625 --> 00:31:03,865
No high office with
responsibility is easy,
523
00:31:06,164 --> 00:31:09,904
as everyone in this room
knows, but with each
524
00:31:09,901 --> 00:31:14,301
difficult challenge comes the
satisfaction of knowing,
525
00:31:14,305 --> 00:31:19,975
knowing that you are like Teddy
Roosevelt's man in the arena,
526
00:31:19,978 --> 00:31:25,088
slugging it out, doing what you
believe, doing what you like,
527
00:31:25,083 --> 00:31:29,853
and doing it your way, and
recognizing that it's not
528
00:31:29,854 --> 00:31:32,794
the critics who count, or
change the world, or make
529
00:31:32,790 --> 00:31:34,530
the world better.
530
00:31:34,525 --> 00:31:36,595
Rather, it's those who
are willing to work,
531
00:31:36,594 --> 00:31:41,434
work very hard toward
building a better world.
532
00:31:41,432 --> 00:31:45,872
We live in a complicated
and defining time.
533
00:31:45,870 --> 00:31:47,870
The men and women who
have devoted their lives
534
00:31:47,872 --> 00:31:51,642
to America's security are
the architects of this new
535
00:31:51,643 --> 00:31:54,083
21st Century-world.
536
00:31:54,078 --> 00:31:57,018
They're building onto the
great legacies and foundations
537
00:31:57,015 --> 00:32:00,885
that have been laid by those
who have gone before them.
538
00:32:00,885 --> 00:32:02,925
We've made mistakes.
539
00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:07,930
We will make more mistakes,
but we hold tightly to one
540
00:32:07,925 --> 00:32:11,925
of America's greatest
strengths, the capacity,
541
00:32:11,929 --> 00:32:14,669
and the constitutional
structure that allows
542
00:32:14,666 --> 00:32:17,006
us to self-correct.
543
00:32:17,001 --> 00:32:22,071
We can change systems, right
wrongs, solve problems,
544
00:32:22,073 --> 00:32:28,213
and start over, but we must
get the big things right.
545
00:32:28,212 --> 00:32:31,512
We must recognize that there
is not an immediate answer
546
00:32:31,516 --> 00:32:33,556
to every problem.
547
00:32:33,551 --> 00:32:37,451
Some problems require
evolving solutions that give
548
00:32:37,455 --> 00:32:43,095
us the time and the space to
adjust, and the patience
549
00:32:43,094 --> 00:32:47,094
to seek higher ground,
and lasting results.
550
00:32:47,098 --> 00:32:50,038
Our world captive to
immediacy, uncertainty,
551
00:32:50,034 --> 00:32:54,004
and complexity is not moving
toward less complicated
552
00:32:54,005 --> 00:32:58,575
problems, but rather toward
more global challenges
553
00:32:58,576 --> 00:33:03,746
rooted in historic
injustices and conflicts.
554
00:33:03,748 --> 00:33:10,388
In this dynamic environment, we
need to prioritize and focus on
555
00:33:10,388 --> 00:33:13,528
how to build greater partnership
capacity around the world with
556
00:33:13,524 --> 00:33:17,894
our partners, to help solve
problems through coalitions
557
00:33:17,895 --> 00:33:20,765
of common interests that
help build opportunities
558
00:33:20,765 --> 00:33:23,605
and create hope for
all people.
559
00:33:23,601 --> 00:33:27,201
These are difficult
and complicated tasks,
560
00:33:27,205 --> 00:33:30,075
but we have no choice.
561
00:33:30,074 --> 00:33:34,814
It will require steady,
wise, and judicious use
562
00:33:34,812 --> 00:33:37,282
of American power,
prestige, and influence.
563
00:33:37,281 --> 00:33:41,081
We must never fail to
always ask the most
564
00:33:41,085 --> 00:33:45,555
important question when
making decisions in policy.
565
00:33:45,556 --> 00:33:47,556
What happens next?
566
00:33:49,827 --> 00:33:53,727
With all of the world's
travails and problems,
567
00:33:53,731 --> 00:33:55,731
it is still a
hopeful world.
568
00:33:57,135 --> 00:33:58,135
This I believe.
569
00:34:02,100 --> 00:34:04,810
I want to thank
my wife, Lilibet,
570
00:34:04,809 --> 00:34:07,209
with whom I have shared this
remarkable thirty-year journey.
571
00:34:10,081 --> 00:34:15,591
I could never have done this
job without her by my side
572
00:34:15,586 --> 00:34:18,526
and I'm especially proud of her
work on behalf of military
573
00:34:18,523 --> 00:34:21,863
families and other important
issues to the men and women
574
00:34:21,859 --> 00:34:23,999
of the military.
575
00:34:23,995 --> 00:34:26,565
I've valued all of her
many contributions to this
576
00:34:26,564 --> 00:34:31,974
institution and I thank her
deeply for helping me be
577
00:34:31,969 --> 00:34:34,369
a better Secretary of Defense.
578
00:34:34,372 --> 00:34:37,372
I want to also thank my
daughter, Allyn, my son,
579
00:34:37,375 --> 00:34:45,315
Ziller, for their constant
support, encouragement,
580
00:34:45,316 --> 00:34:51,256
and always good advice, and
helping me with the internet --
581
00:34:51,255 --> 00:34:53,525
(laughter)
582
00:34:56,060 --> 00:35:00,360
-- and recognizing and
allowing me to take inventory
583
00:35:00,364 --> 00:35:05,604
in that recognition that
I am not near as smart
584
00:35:05,603 --> 00:35:06,843
as I thought I was.
585
00:35:06,838 --> 00:35:08,738
(laughter)
586
00:35:08,739 --> 00:35:12,309
Those are the humbling
experiences of parenthood.
587
00:35:12,310 --> 00:35:15,980
Those of us who've had the
opportunity to know those
588
00:35:15,980 --> 00:35:19,380
days and have that
experience, and be blessed
589
00:35:19,383 --> 00:35:21,983
with that experience
know so well.
590
00:35:21,986 --> 00:35:24,326
And to my brothers,
Tom and Mike,
591
00:35:24,322 --> 00:35:27,162
who have truly been with me,
since this train left the
592
00:35:27,158 --> 00:35:34,268
station in Nebraska many
years ago, thank you.
593
00:35:34,265 --> 00:35:41,805
And one last point, of all
the opportunities my life
594
00:35:41,806 --> 00:35:45,046
has given me, and I have
been blessed with so many,
595
00:35:48,446 --> 00:35:56,256
I am most proud of having
once been a soldier.
596
00:35:56,254 --> 00:36:00,554
The lessons from my time
in uniform about trust,
597
00:36:00,558 --> 00:36:05,368
responsibility, duty, judgment,
and loyalty to your fellow
598
00:36:05,363 --> 00:36:11,333
soldier, these I've carried
with me throughout my life.
599
00:36:14,372 --> 00:36:16,842
May God bless and
keep each of you.
600
00:36:16,841 --> 00:36:18,071
Thank you.
601
00:36:18,075 --> 00:36:20,915
(applause)
602
00:36:22,446 --> 00:36:24,286
Thank you, thank you.
603
00:36:24,282 --> 00:36:25,852
(applause)
