out and say they don't care, they gave zero thought to this issue. but it's obvious that there's some upset in the white house with the perspective of how this all went down. chief of staff was said to have spoken to speaker boehner and there was no problem. but then the idea that boehner maybe had gotten some feedback from other republicans that caused this change. and it's still unclear but it dominated a lot of the news cycle this week and i think -- i talked to david and he said this just adds to the circus atmosphere in washington and it doesn't help anyone although some people say it might help boehner a little bit because it makes the president look as though he got ahead. >> did john make news today? >> i'm not sure he made news but he showed that he is i think clearly worried about the ballot issue on collective bargaining. i think even though he said this is not a referendum on his administration it clearly is

that. if he loses, it really knocks the legs out from under him. so i think he's terribly concerned about that. and is trying -- but john's style is what, me worry? be happy. and talk about the way we should get along in washington. now, john has a history of working across party lines when he was on the budget committee with leon, the democrat, they had a very good working relationship. but the fight in ohio over collective bargaining is a tough partisan fight. there's nothing soft about that. >> and is that a precursor to 2012? ohio is a battleground state and a must-win state for any republican candidate. >> i was very struck by what he said about governor christy and the idea that he had talked to him about getting in the race. but the president visits ohio constantly. obviously and i think it's interesting that the governor

didn't completely rule out the idea that the president could win ohio again. it's obviously changing a lot. but i believe the last couple of months the jobs numbers there have deteriorated after sort of stabilizing. so everything is about jobs. obviously. and the president takes every opportunity he can to go out there and try to make the case that he is helping them. >> briefly, what about john's poll numbers in ohio sf >> they're not great right now but they shouldn't be great because he's had a very controversial going over with the collective bargaining law and the economy is not in great shape. it's not a catastrophe but it's not in great shape. john will like any other incumbent will live and die with the economy. >> jack. kate. thank you both for being with us here on "newsmakers."

>> the pentagon held a formal retirement ceremony for general david petraeus on wednesday. he will be sworn in as crave director on tuesday. general petraeus also served as the top commander in iraq and led the military's central command. the event took place at fort myor in arlington, virginia.

ladies and gentlemen, taking the viewing stand is the reviewing official for today's ceremony, general david h. petraeus accompanied by the host, the honorable william lynn, deputy secretary of defense and admiral michael mullin. ladies and gentlemen, please rise as honors are rendered.

>> representing america's armed forces and participating in today's review are the united states army band under the direction of colonel thomas h bon fir and led by drum major mitchell craig.

elements of the armed forces include the presidential marching platoon, the old guard, commanded by captain ed strom. the platoon is first sergeant robert thurman. marine corps honor guard commanded by captain david burebrd and sergeant robert martinez. the colors have always been one of the most important elements of the a military unit. at the center of our formation is an armed forces color guard the national color and the service flag of the army, marine corps, navy, coast guard the guard is led by staff sergeant. commanded by lieutenant andrew cha heir the platoon petty officer and petty officer second class. the next element on line comprised the air force honor guard. the last element in the formation is the united states coast guard honor guard

commanded by lieutenant junior grade patrick fernandez. and matthew garrett. to the rear of the formation are the 56 state and territorial flags of the united states commanded by commander nacen first well. to the right of the formation is the presidential salute gun battery commanded by captain thomas gear hart. the battery is led by sergeant eric rat gwen. marching in the joint staff is army major. navy lieutenant, air force first lieutenant. and coast guard lieutenant. ♪ ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the advancing of the colors and remain standing for the playing of the united states national anthem. ♪ ♪

>> please be seated.

already the distinguished service medal is presented to general diveed h petraeus. general petraeus distinguished himself during his 37-year career and successful assignment of significant responsibility. over the course of his nearly four decades in uniform he proved to be a transformational leader consistently leading his unit and eventually our military at large to achieve critical missions. his leadership is extrary successes from baghdad and then into northern iraq into the growth and improvement of iraqi forces to the stemming of horrific violence in 2007-2008 to the expansion of the regional security architecture and the fight against terrorism in the central command region to progress in afghanistan.

beyond the immediate military successes he also created a lasting impact in the way our army conducts counter insurgency operations. in the way to achieve military unity of effort and the military partnerships. moreover, his leadership in the fight against terrorism across the globe from bosnia to iraq, yemen to afghanistan saved countless lives. his pursuit of excellence have provided lasting benefits. general petraeus matchless leadership and unyielding leadership of duty are in keeping with the finest tradition of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the united states army and the department of defense. secretary of the army. [applause]

>> headquarters department of army by order of the secretary of the army the following soldier has retired. general david h. petraeus united states army. general petraeus is now being presented with the flag of the united states of america. on the occasion of retirement we also recognize the outstanding service of his spouse pls holly petraeus. mrs. petraeus is awarded the

department of defense medal for distinguished public service to the united states of america from july 1974 to august 2011. over the course of her nearly four decades of being associated with our armed forces as an army spouse she has been an advocate tor the community at large and in particular her family in all of her work her enthusiasm determination and concern for others exemplifies the true spirit of the military spouse. she has always set an example as a leader and military spouse and handling with grace and helping others to do the same the unexpected twists and turns of military life as she guides her own family through 23 moves and served as mom as well as dad for children for many years while her husband was deployed. her lifetime of experience with our military and has distinguished herself through many years of service having always placed the needs and interests of her family and military community before her

own. her efforts she has demonstrated unwaivering determination and sincere commitment to creating positive change in improving the lives around her in both military and local community. the accomplish resplects great credit on herself, the united states army and military of defense. signed secretary of defense. [applause] mrs. petraeus is also being presented the distinguished civilian service and recognition of her public service to the united states army from july 1974 to august

2011. [applause] at this time, ladies and gentlemen, general petraeus is presenting his wife with a boca of flowers in appreciation for her dedication and support. [applause] also at this time, ladies and gentlemen, flowers are being presented to mrs. noleten and daughter ann and son steven. [applause]

we are proud to recognize general petraeus' devotion to our country and we wish him happiness and prosperity in his well-earned retirement. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, deputy secretary william lind. [applause] >> thank you and welcome. admiral mullin, distinguished colleagues, civilian and military side of the department of defense, members of congress, the diplomat corps. of course general petraeus, holly and steven, mrs. noten. it's a true honor and pleasure to be here to celebrate the historic career of one of america's finest soldiers, general david petraeus. general petraeus and i have a lot in common. we both hold graduate degrees from the woodrow wilson school of princeton. each of us worked in the pentagon in the 1990s.

general petraeus follows five mile runs with rounds of pushups and pullups. i too am known for my athletic endurance. i follow hours of watching football with repeated rounds at the sports center. general petraeus began his career in the shadow of vietnam but he will be remembered most for his leadership in the decade following 9/11. in a little over a week, will mark the tenth anniversary of that decisive moment in american history. we will remember those that we've lost, and we will salute the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen who emerged from this cruisible to stand among the greatest generations in our nation's history. the 9/11 generation has been defined by that day and these wars. 5 million of them have served

in uniform. 2 million in combat. their service has changed the course of world events. no one has played a more important role leading this new generation on the battlefield than the man who stands before us today. general petraeus has been both a which bat leader and a leading strategist in this post-9/11 world. it is rare for a leader to have both the endurance and charisma to lead troops in war and the force of mind to shape the strategy for that war. but david petraeus has distinguished himself at each. in iraq and afghanistan, our forces fought on battlefields different than we had faced before. different than we had trained for, and different than we had equipped for. to overcome an unfamiliar

enemy, wielding an arsenal of lethal tactics, general petraeus built a counter insurgency strategy around the adaptability and ingenuity of the 9/11 generation. that strategy enabled this remarkable military to wage a new kind of war. iraq and afghanistan our men and women in uniform. they have tested the resilience and agility of our military and they have tested our nation's resolve. but by acting on his belief that the most powerful weapon, the most powerful tool, any soldier carries, is not his weapon but his mind, general petraeus has redefined how america fought those wars. the revolution and doctrine and tactics he inspired not only delivered iraq from the clutches of sectarian violence, it has also given the people of

afghanistan a fighting chance to determine their future. general petraeus succeeded because of the skill as a soldier and his brilliance as a strategist propelled him at each step of his career. cadet petraeus distinguished himself at west point. soldier petraeus stood out in every command he held. dr. petraeus was commissioned as a political strategist at princeton. professor pr trace taught on the faculty of west point. strategist petraeus made his mark on army doctrine with the manual on counter insurgency that you might have heard of. and general petraeus led our forces in two of the most dangerous and complex wars our nation has fought. becoming a statesman in his own right on the world stage. he has done all of this while setting an exceptional example

of selfless service. when asked by president obama to step down from central command and return to the field, general petraeus did not hesitate. and now, a year later, after he departed for a couple, the commander in chief called on him again for a very different mission. leading the c.i.a. again, without hesitation, general petraeus pledged to continue serving our nation after a 37-year career in uniform. i know our colleagues at the c.i.a. are looking forward to those ten-mile morning runs with the new director. this selfless devotion to service is a trait shared by the entire petraeus family. his daughter ann who gracefully tolerated her father's absence, first bosnia, then iraq, then

iraq, and then iraq again, finally in afghanistan. his son lieutenant steven petraeus, fought in afghanistan under his father's command. and general petraeus' wife holly has spent her entire life as the daughter, the wife, now the mother of a soldier. and she too accepted president obama's call to serve by helping to protect our service members and their families from fraud and financial hardship. holly, your life and your work honors all who stand with those in uniform. [applause] general petraeus, as you bring your relentless drive to a new mission at another institution, you leave behind a military

that is forever indebted. you have proven yourself the greatest kind of pate are the. a man who so cherishes our country's ideals he is not afraid to challenge the institution's that guard them. by transforming our military from within, you have showed us all how to honor tradition by remaking it. though after today you will no longer wear the uniform, you will always be a soldier. for you have lived the creed set forth by another great army general at the battle of the bulge. faced with orders to excute a daring maneuver, general patton said this. i am a soldier, i fight where i am told, and i win where i fight. david, good luck, and god speed. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, admiral mullin. >> secretary lynn, general petraeus, holly, steven, ann, mrs. noten, ambassadors, and members of congress and other distinguished visitors, it is a great privilege for deborah and me to join you today at the grounds of the old guard.

this is a place that both sanction if is our past and herleds our future. and i could not think of a more fitting location to pay tribute to the historic leadership and far reach of two national treasures dave and holy petraeus. i know dave and holly are particularly pleased to have their children ann and steven here to share in this occasion. ann, a very accomplished dickenson graduate like her mom is currently attending graduate school at unc. and first lieutenant steven petraeus recently returned from a highly successful deployment in afghanistan as secretary lynn shared. when steven called his father in baghdad to tell him he wanted to go into the army, dave's first reaction was a spart one. he said, you'd better call your mother. then steven told him, dad, i

did. she told me to call you. i'm glad my house isn't the only one that works that way. steven, well done. and welcome back. but after hearing a little about the year you've had i have to wonder if your big sister's plan to spend the next year as a grad student at chapel hill isn't looking pretty good right now. i am indeed honored to be here and honored to call dave petraeus a friend. when i first really got to know dave in 2004, i was gratified to learn we had some important things in common. we were both vorrashese readers. we both realized that the lessons of vietnam would forever permeate our perspectives. and we both made a good decision early in life when we married women blessed with a strong spirit of service and let's be honest, a great deal of tolerance as well. dave, at that time, had just

returned to iraq. and after a few short months at home was overseeing a herk lean task organizing and training a new iraqi army amidst the very challenging security environment. i was impressed with his energy, his innovative thinking, and his resolve. and by the time he left in late 2005, he had grown the ranks to nearly 200,000 iraqi soldiers and police. a force that would prove crucial to winning the peace in the years that followed. and while this achievement by any measure would be considered astounding, i frankly wasn't that surprised. because by this time i knew like so many before me that when it comes to the art of the possible, there is general dave petraeus and then there's everybody else. i suspect it's been that way for a long, long time. for this was a young local boy who would sneak into west point

to play on its historic athletic fields some say because the most beautiful along the hudson but i believe dave already knew this was where his true destiny awaited him. his classmates remember him as strategic, and measured, and teaches. someone who would one day and i quote, run the army in ten years and that was when he was in high school. on the soccer field, dave was the pace setter who, as a class mathe remembers, was always good at seeing the next shot. indeed, through his ability to see that next shot, to see around the corners, most of us don't, dave has over the last decade advised two presidents, changed the course of two wars, transformed our military, and perhaps more important of all, -- most important of all, reminded americans once again

that with the right ideas and the right leadership, almost anything is possible. quite simply, general david petraeus has set the gold standard for wartime command in the moppedrn era. but what elevates dave above all the others is not just his ability to visualize the way to victory but the will, the determination, and the resilience to see it through. he has done this his entire life from early successes finishing at the top of his class at west point, ranger school, and at leavenworth to equally impressive operational successes in company and battalion command often at an age far earlier than his peers. when he led the 101st are borne division during the first year of operation iraqi freedom his deployment helped to make mosul an early success for the

coalition. it was said that no force worked harder to win iraqi hearts and minds than the 101st air assault division led by petraeus. and when he returned back to the states after his second tour in iraq, my good friend pete scookmarer, the chief of staff of the army at the time told him bluntly to shake up the army, dave. dave took the chief at his word, setting out to do nothing else than recast the way our nation fights its wars. and in concert with general jim mat yuss, they assembled an incredibly talented and diverse team, drafting the counter insurgency field manual can which would not only serve as the blueprint for our successes in iraq and afghanistan but would also go on to become a best seller. only dave petraeus could take a military manual and make it a great stocking stuff. dave encouraged not just physical but intellectual strength charging this

generation of young leaders to understand the true purpose of power as a force for good. and that in sharing risk with those we protect, we build the trust and partnerships so crucial to success. but dave did not just write the book on counter insurgency, he put it in practice like no other under the toughest of circumstances. when general petraeus took command of the multi-national force iraq in early 2007, it was a time of doubt, of chaos, and of death. around the nation and around the world, skeptics questioned whether yet another change in strategy or leadership could make a difference. and that change was hard as our troops moved out into the cities and towns of iraq casualties were high and the fight relentless. yet, dave never waivered and even in the face of a tough fight in iraq and a very tough

political climate here in washington he rose above it all as he always has. on the morning of september 10, 2007, as he prepared for what would be a historic set of hearings on the war in iraq, dave received a special message from a hometown friend, the poem it by rudgerkippling. he later commented that this poem which happened to be his favorite perfectly captures the qualities demanded of a leader in tough times. throughout it all keep your head when all about you are losing theirs. and most of all, fulfill the unforgiving minutes with 60 seconds worth of distance run. and as dave magnificently performed his job, our troops did theirs. through every unforgive minute they adapted at every turn,

embracing the counter insurgency principles dave forged and after an extraordinary effort hope returned to iraq. it was only natural then that dave would rise to assume the rains of command. he helped design. and last summer the president would turn to dave yet again this time to lead our efforts in afghanistan. while the circumstances of this request were unexpected, dave's response was not. he promptly picked up his ruck sack, ready to lead another critical mission at its most critical moment in history. afghanistan is now a more secure and hopeful place than a year ago. and while dave would be the first to tell you that a lot of hard deadly work remains, the progress has never been more real or the prospects more encouraging. yet, no soldier fights alone. and although i am certain dave

will soon thank his troops and his family, i too want to add my appreciation to those who have made his lifetime of service possible. holy petraeus has known no other than military life. 37 years of marriage, the petraeuses have moved 23 times. i'm sure holly hopes this next job will last a little longer so she can finally take the movers off speed dial. through those many moves and long separations, holly still managed to tirelessly advocate for military families. and has been especially passionate in her efforts to protect the finances of our military families. so this morning i joined thousands upon thousands of our military families to say thank you, holly, for your support and your sacrifice. and for reaching beyond the boundaries to make a difference for so many. [applause]

and an steven i also want to thank for giving the support yue shown your dad especial slins your dad has been deployed for the better part of this decade of conflict. i know he is deeply proud of both of you. david, you've run the race well, swifter and surer than the rest and you now stand among the giants not just in our time but of all times. joining the likes of grant and per shing and mar shall and eisenhower as one of the great battle captains of american history. you've expandeded our view of the possible, inspiring our military on to historic achievements during some of the most trying times america has ever known. and today, you depart our ranks with the sincere thanks of a grateful nation. as you take the helm of the

central intelligence agency your ability to see the next shot and around the corners will never be more important. and we are blessed that you will continue to serve and lead during these dynamic and uncertain times. t e. lawrence, a man who knew a thing or two about insurge sizz once said, all men dream but not equally. those who dream by night in the dusty resesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity. but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men for they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible. david petraeus has indeed been a dreamer of the day, dangerous to our enemies but no greater friend to those with whom he fought along side and fought for. he's been a dreamer with a vision and a plan to get there. dave, you remain the brighter

star in the constellation and you will be missed by all of us. god bless you and the entire petraeus family. and may god continue to bless the united states of america. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, general petraeus. [applause]

>> well, thank you very much, secretary lynn, admiral mullin ambassadors, members of congress, service secretaries, members of the joint chief of staffs, combatant commanders. fellow alumni of the great military class of 1974 -- [applause] not yet. not yet. enthusiastic bunch. other distinguished guests, fellow members of the u.s. military, ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here this morning and for helping to make a very special occasion even more special by your presence. secretary lynn and admiral mullin thank you for your very kind and very generous words and for the honors you've bestowed on holly and me. needless to say i can only accept the medal presented this morning and as much as i do so on behalf of those whom i was

privileged to serve with in iraq and afghanistan this metal is by rights their medal and i will wear it for them. more importantly, thank you for your unyielding commitment to our troopers and thish families, and thanks as well to presidents bush and obama and secretaries gates and panetta for their stedfast support of our men and women in uniform during the time that i had the honor of leading them in iraq, afghanistan, and the central command area of responsibility. i cannot imagine a more meaningful ceremony than that which the joint service honor guards are conducting here today. the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen on parade before us represent all the members of all our services. men and women who on a daily basis noblely serve around the world. it has been the greatest of privileges to command joint forces in combat for much of the past decade.

and i appreciate secretary panetta authorizing a joint services ceremony today so that i could recognize our military services individual and collective contributions. indeed, i would ask that you join me in thanking those on the field today and all those they represent for their cark trystically outstanding performance. thanks. [applause] when i asked holly for her thoughts on my remarks today, she responded with two words. be brief. of course, asking a four-star general for brevity during his final moment in uniform before a microphone is probably asking more than a bit much but i will do my best to follow my wife's wise counsel. an occasion like this is a time for thanks and a time for

reflection. thanks to the countless individuals who made the last 37 years so wonderful. so rewarding. and so memorable for my family and me. and reflection on the extraordinary privilege of serving during the time of enormous consequence for our country and our partners around the world. president teddy roosevelt was fond of observing that life's greatest gift is hard work worth doing. i have enjoyed that gift many times over since raising my right hand on the first of july 1970 and as a brand-new west point cadet reciting the oath of office for the first time. i can remember that day as if it were yesterday, waking early that morning, packing the one bag we got to bring with us, getting into the car with my mother and father and driving the seven curvey miles around storm king mountain. i had as was noted earlier grown up in the shadow of west

point and spent countless hours of my childhood on the hudson river sailing with my dad. even so we all felt anxious as we entered the gate as my parents entrusted their only son to the u.s. military academy. and so i joined the long gray lines that is one of our country's greatest institutions. there i commenced the study of our profession of arms, internalized the values, traditions and standards that have acted as guide posts throughout my career and began forging the prendships that have sustained me ever since. in fact, as i noted there is a wonderful group of my class mates here today and i would ask that they stand and be recognized, the pride of the corps, 74.

[applause] >> don't accuse me of differentiating between those who get shade and those who don't. i'm sure someone else did that. while at west point i not only received an education and earned a commission. i also met the woman who would become my wife. indeed, the best decision i ever made was replying, sure, happy to do it when asked if i would escort a visiting co-ed to a weekend football game. what i didn't know at the time was the coed was a superintendent's daughter back from college for a rare visit and that she was supposed to be fixed up with one of my classmates. after some initial trepidation, on both sides, i might add, we hit it off. we were married ten months later and holly has been the bedrock of our family ever since. she is, as has been noted, an army daughter, wife, and now an army mother. but she is also much more.

she has been mrs. dad for the bulk of the past decade while i was deployed. she served as the first lady of one of our army's largest post while virtually all of its 25,000 soldiers were downrange in iraq. and since our kids headed off to college she has supported military men and women and their families by establishing and leading programs at the better business bureau and now at the new consumer financial protection bureau. homily was recently described -- holly was recently described as small, attractive, smart, and a pit bull. i'm sure glad she's been on my side for 37 wonderful years. needless to say, i'll never be able to adequately express my love and appreciation for all she has done but i can at least say here this morning, thanks, hol. i love you. [applause]

as has been noted holly and i have been blessed with two terrific kids, and while it's been great to watch them grow up to become the people they are today. an n is an energetic grad student. she is passionate about helping us eat right, run triathalons and cut ub healthy cashes. -- car bs. are not deemed to be unhealthy car bs. meanwhile, our son steve whom we moved three times in his four years of high school was nonetheless his high school's valedictorian and went to m.i.t. and while there he joined r.o.t.c. he's now serving with the 173rd air borne brigade in italy having completed a with the infantry platoon leader. thank you both for being who you are.

needless to say, your mom and i are very proud of you. they say that behind every successful man is a surprised mother in-law. in my case, it's the supportive, loving, and proud mother in-law. along with holly's father and three brothers she welcomed me into the family and made me a fourth son. general noleten passed away during my final tour in iraq but he is i hope looking down from fidlers green as holly and me joining this same ceremony where they were recognized after their 37 and a half years of service. as i listen to the music being played during today's ceremony i heard some familiar strains. the victory division song, the dog-faced soldier, f we have a rand have you with destiny, and the all american soldier. the songs of the divisions with which i sold jerd over the years. and be assured, classmates,

that was indeed the official west point march the thumper that was played during the inspection of troops. during my years in uniform with those units from the mid 1970s until 2 present our military rose from the depths that it hit in the early post vietnam era, developing into the great force that serves our nation today. a force that is without question the most experienced, best equipped, finest military ever to serve our nation. in truth the army i as a second lieutenant had suffered enormously. in the wake of our involvement in vietnam our army and much of our military were grappling with a host of very serious challenges. i know i speak for many when i say that we came away from that period vowing to never let our forces get to such a point ever again. in the ensuing years, determined leaders transformed what was described as the hollow army in our exhausted miltrifment our services worked

together to develop the joint forces that prevailed with such overwhelming capability in panama and the gulf war. that demonstrated such versatility of peace keeping and stability operations in somalia, haiti, and the balkans and that have carried out with such admiral qualities the enormously challenging missions in iraq and afghanistan. looking back, the rezz vehicles of our military was nothing short of remarkable. indeed, we owe an enormous debt to the individuals so important to that rebirth. men like generals gal vin,goer man, depew, bono, richardson, shelton, sullivan, keen, clark, mccaffrey, pete, franks, rhymer, foley, mcneal, these and imnume rabble other great leaders. those just from my services but indeed from all the services provided the vision, leadership, organizational skills and drive that guided

our forces as they rose again like a feenism. many of them from all our services are here this morning and i want to ask them to stand so that we can express our gratitude and that includes you, chairman, and all of our serving joint chiefs members, and combantnt commanders. thank you all so much. please stand. [applause] they were joined in this effort of course by a renewed noncommissioned officer corps one that truly is the back bone of our military and the envy of militaries around the world. men like my first platoon sergeant, sergeant first class david okie or my wing man for four combat commands, command sergeant major mar vib hill, a

man who exemplified the professional competence and boof all inspirational leadership of our noncommissioned corps and who is here with us today representing that great noncommissioned officer corps. and i would ask sergeant major that you please stand and even step out on the field so that we can recognize you as well. together these determined visionary senior leaders and gifted noncommissioned officers mentor the captains and lieutenants, the sergeants and specialists. who they knew would one day inherit the mantle of leadership. our nation and i in particular given the commands i've had since 9/11 owe these generals admirals and senior commissioned and noncommissioned officers an

enormous debt of gratitude for their extraordinary service during a critical period in our nation's history. of course, our military went through a further transformation in the early years of our engagements in iraq and afghanistan. we refined our doctrine, revised our leader development curricula, overhauled our combat training scenarios and revamped the unit training events on the so-called road to deployment. these and other changes ultimately helped enable the retreevel of a desperate situation in iraq, progress against al qaeda, and reversal of the taliban momentum in afghanistan. it was a privilege to play a part in that process while in the states between tours in iraq with my great marine buddy and ship mathe jim madice and it was the greatest of honors to then help put our ideas into practice in iraq and afghanistan ant the greater central command area of responsibility.

it is wonderful needless to say to see so many of those who contributed to those critical efforts here with us today. as the chairman noted, another transformational leader general shoo maker said shake up the army, dave, and we did our best to do just that. and i would now like to ask all who helped to do just that, the coined northeasta's the commanders in the field, my brain trust execks, aides, personal staff and others with whom i've been privethroged serve in a host of different assignments since 9/11 to stand so we can say thanks to each of you as well. [applause] we are now approaching a similarly difficult period. the future requirements include

maintaining pressure on al qaeda, continuing the drawdown in iraq. and commencing reductions in afghanistan. all while sustaining our hard-fought, hard-won but still fragile progress in those areas. this will be done of course against the backdrop of ongoing change in the middle east and difficulty budget decisions here at home. as these decisions are made, we should never forget that the u.s. military is composed of many parts. exceptional ships, planes, and ground systems, unparalleled institutions and infrastructure, the finest of high technology and work-class networks that enable all that we do. but as all here appreciate i know the essence, the core of our military is and always will be its people, men and women who raise their right hands and recite the oath of enlistment, even though they know that act

may result in them deploying to a combat zone where they will be asked once again to put it all on the line day after day, in crushing heat and numbing cold under body armor and kevlar against resilient tough often bar barack enemies. never knowing as they go outside the wire whether they'll be greeted with a hand grenade or a hand shake but being ready and capable of responding appropriately to either. ore men and women in uniform are sustained in this exceedingly challenging effort by their families and their communities. wives and husbands, moms and dads, daughters and sons, all who without complaint move from post to post each time making the new unit a family the house a home and the neighborhood a community. these uncommon individuals unfailingly support us when we're at home and do even more for us when we're gone be it for a three-day field exercise,

or a third tour down range. and they in turn are supported by civilian communities across our great nation, around posts like fort bragg, north carolina, or campbell kentucky, 11 worth, kansas, mcdill air force base florida, communities where holly and i were privileged to serve, and that are wonderfully represented here this morning. the towns around these and other posts and bases across our land have been incredibly staunch supporters of our military families and they've been particularly supportive of the petraeus family in recent years. and i would also like to ask all of our civilian communities' supporters to stand so that we can in uniform can say thanks to each of you as well. [applause]

i want to single out one of those supporters in particular. ken fisher. indeed, i think no one individual in our country has done more for our wounded warriors and their families than has he and his organization. the fisher house that he has with his great team built at military bases and hospitals across our country and overseas have made an enormous difference in the lives of families when they have most needed help and support. and ken i would like to ask you to stand so that we can give a special thanks to you as well. if i can figure out where you are. there he is. thank you, ken. [applause] as our nation contemplates difficult budget decisions, i know that our leaders will remember that our people, our

men and women in uniform are our military, and that taking care of them and their families must be our paramount objective. beyond that it will be imperative to maintain a force that not only capitalizes on the our extraordinary experience and expertise in our ranks today but also maintains the versatility and flexibility that have been developed over the past decade in particular. now, please rest assured that i'm not out to give one last boost to the counter insurgency field manual or to try to recruit all of you for coined niecea nation. i do believe, however, that we have relearned since 9/11 the timeless lesson that we don't always get to fight the wars for which we're most prepared or most inclined. given that reality, we will need to maintain the full spectrum capability that we have developed over this last decade of conflict in iraq, afghanistan, and elsewhere. but again, i know that that

fact is widely recognized. indeed, i take my final pass in review in uniform with a sense of great confidence in our military and in our country. despite the imnume rabble challenges that face our nation and our world, i believe in our citizens, our country, our system of government and boofer all our men and women in uniform. moreover, those assuming leadership positions in our military, those about to step forward our class mate general marty dempsey, admiral sandy den ampled roaredo and many others, i know that they will guide our forces superbably. they are experienced, forthright, they have vision and they will provide secretary panetta and president obama thoughtful principled advice. as i reflect on the extraordinary opportunities i've had over the past 37 years i recall the familiar words of

teddy roosevelt's man in the arena speech. it is not the critic who counts, roosevelt stated, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again. because there is no effort without error and short coming but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while doing greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. i have been privileged to serve in the arena together with

america's finest, its men and women in uniform. as well as with its finest diplomats and civilian officials, and imnume rabble coalition partners and i would senior out our great nato representative ambassador mark sed well who is here. all of them have been magnificent and the members of our young generation in uniform have earned the description tom brokaw gave to them. after a great day with us in iraq in 2003, he shouted to me over the noise of a hell copter before heading back to baghdad, surely, general, this is america's new greatest generation. i agreed with him thennd aagree with him now. and i was delighted to see that title used on the cover of time magazine two weeks ago for a wonderful piece by joe kline. when the great sergeant major hill and i visited units this

past fourth of july in afghanistan, a commander asked me how many fourths of july i spent deployed over the past decade or so. when i answered eight of the past 11, he thanked me for my service and sacrifice. i responded in fact the privilege has been all mine. it has been the greatest of honors to have sold jerd with our nation's new greatest generation in tough but important endeavors for the bulk of that time. i can imagine no greater honor. before closing, i also want to remember reverently those who have given the last full measure of devotion in our endeavors in recent years. they and their families must never be forgotten. in a poem published a few years ago, a british trooper who was deployed in afghanistan captured eloquently the emotions of those who served and those who sack fiesed.

he wrote, and what is asked for the service we give? no high praise or riches if we should live. just silence from friends our name on a wall if this time around it is i that fall. to the families, friends, and countrymen of those who have fallen, and to all those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our cause, i offer my deepest respect and my eternal gratitude. as i close, i know that i can speak for holly in sayic that our journey with the u.s. military has been a amazing one. in truth, one that will not end today even though we're about to begin an exciting new journey with another extraordinary organization. and so let me conclude by again extending our deepest thanks to each of you gathered here to

all those with whom we have sold jerd since 19 p 4, and indeed to all the members of our armed forces and their family members. may god bless each of you, our great country, and most importantly our men and women in uniform and their families. thank you very much. [applause]

>> honor guard, pass and review.

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>> ladies and gentlemen, the armed forces medly. ♪ ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's ceremony. guests are welcome to join general and mrs. petraeus for a reception at the fort myers officers club. thank you for your attendance. and enjoy the rest of your day. [applause]

>> next weekend, the ten-year anniversary of 9/11 with live coverage from each of the

memorial sites, new york city, shanchingseville, pennsylvania and the pentagon. here's our live schedule. saturday on c-span at 12:30, the flight 93 national memorial dedication ceremony from pennsylvania. and sunday morning at 8:30 a memorial from the world trade center site with president obama and former president bush. on c-span 2 at 9:00, vice president biden from the pentagon. and on c-span 3 at 9:30 honoring those who lost their lives on united flight 93. 9/11 remembered. next weekend on the c-span networks. >> watch more video of the candidates, see what political reporters are saying and track the latest campaign contributions with c-span's website for campaign 2012. easy to use helps you navigate the political landscapes with twitter feeds and facebook updates. candidate bios and the latest polling data plus links to partners in the early primary