y. as an alumnus myself, i know the wonderful feeling you have today. just like the creation, god looks at your graduation and says this, too, is very good. thank him for what he has done for you. let us also remember the unsung heroes in each one of your lives, including your families proud without them, today would not have been possible. thank them. give them a kiss, give them a day off. whatever they need, they deserves it. it was 26 years ago when i became an alumni of this law school, and was 24 years ago where i sat out or all of you are sitting, trying to keep my

voice quiet in the seat, as my husband received his diploma from dr. robert sen. as i was sitting out there trying to keep our two young boys quiet, i never imagined that i would be running for president of the united states. you just never know. [applause] but i also want to promise you, as you graduate from regent today and become an alumnus, he will never join a more defined are collect -- you will never join a more finer club. the dues were stiff, but the benefits are eternal, and will redound not only to you but the people you serve and minister to in the future but i want to congratulate you on one of the finest investment decisions you have ever made, and i don't just mean your new found her earning

potential. your decision to come to regent was an act of sheer obedience. that's what it was for susan, and for me, too, the voice of almighty god could coming to reach into university was an excellent decision, it's like changing decision. my purpose today is to remind you that this day would not have occurred without the prayer and vision and work of countless generations who went before you. there would never have been a regent university, there never would have been this lovely, albeit hot ceremony today, without the passion of matthew 24:14, "to preach the gospel to all the nations," had not been the chief motivator for all those i share the pot for with

it today. i want to share with you the or adjourned -- the origin of one of the schools here, the regent law school. the reason this law school is to today's because there is an eye doctor from muskogee, okla.. his eye doctor was a businessman. he had been burned 12 many times by crooked, greedy lawyers -- one too many times by crooked, greedy lawyers. i don't mean to be redundant when i say that, but the eye doctor was a christian, a leading man. he thought to himself, when the country be better off if we had christian lawyers? even in oklahoma, he could not find christian lawyers. he donated money to start the school of law, which you see now, the regent law school. i was in college at that time,

and i sensed god made to law school but that is not unusual. but to a law school based on biblical review, that was a problem. i couldn't find one because there wasn't one in the country. this was back in 1977. then i found out that this school was not open until 1979. the school had no credit nation, no faculty, no books, no application forms. so i waited. eventually i became the very first student -- susan, does this sound familiar? the first student on a first class on the first day of the first year of this law school. our motto that year as a brand new law school was "we knot canthing, and we prove it." [laughter] what we did know how to do was

be people of faith and a prayer. we studied extremely hard because we were forging a new way to understand the law. we not only learned the black letter laws that all students have to learn and to the united states. in tandem, we also learned what the bible had to say about the particular area of law, down to the most minute technicalities. it was the greatest intellectual and spiritual experience of my life. i would not have traded a harvard education for the legal education i received here at regent. someday you will appreciate that as well. we prayed our way through navigating this new way of studying law. we grew exponentially, and i will tell you why -- we were taught here under the power of the holy spirit. there is no greater professor than the holy spirit. [applause]

because, you see, we woke up and entered our classroom, prayed before every classroom meeting. our watchword was this -- we dedicated ourselves to the glory of god and the advancement of the gospel. if you look to this direction, the very ministries of cbn and ultimately, regent university, will all born out of that same insatiable desire, to serve the lord. on this very geographical side, the ground upon which you are seated today, to the glory of god, to advance the gospel. so literally did dr. pat and fellow co libera's take this charge, they saw by faith everything you see before you now. they birthed it in prayer

before any of that came into existent. turn your heads right now, consider every building, every program, every person here today is a result of those prayers and faith in almighty god. see the wealth, see the prosperity, the unparalleled building up that continues today with the building of the divinity school and chapel. you cannot choose a more of inspiring -- awe-inspiring in visual for the beauty of the world. there were years when pat and the children ate a lot of soybeans, not because it was cool, but because it was cheap. you know, you are just completing that schedule in your life as well. there were plenty of times when there prayers did not turn out

the way they had hoped, either. we understand that, too. but just the way that nehemiah rebuild all walz in jerusalem, and how quickly the walls were rebuilds, consider how quickly the lord build this world wide ministry and university for his glory, and the advancement of the gospel. you see, it is no fluke that we are privileged to sit and stand here today on this hallowed ground. we, the recipients of on parallel blessings -- un paralleled blessings. it was a 405 years ago this week when the very first settlers arrived at the jamestown settlement. they were famous for starting the settlement, and when they landed, and they knelt and prayed, and their prayer was very specific. they dedicated this north

american continent to the glory of god and the advancement of the gospel. that is our pattern that we are forged from. it was some years later in 1979 when a virginia farmer -- you may know him as george washington -- went to new york city and was sworn in as the first president of this new country. after swearing in at federal hall, now wall street, he traveled the dow to a church which is located at ground zero. at that church, george washington himself brave and dedicated this nation to the glory of god and the advancement of the gospel. 307 years after the first jamestown survivors stood here, coincidently, again, the very same week, cbn dedicated the very first satellite earth station to the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. that may seem like nothing to

you now, in a day when we all have smartphones, in a day when satellite television is everywhere. but at that time, never before in the history of the world, in 5000 years of recorded human history, had gospel been hurt around the world. -- heard around the will. it was the prayers of the jamestown settlers 405 years ago this week, and occured here at this campus at cbn university. all praise and thanks and glory to an almighty god. [applause] in fact, it was the reverend billy graham who said, the words of matthew 24 :14, "this gospel shall be preached a doctrine to

all nations" -- dr. gramm sham said it was fulfilled on this campus. don't forget this place, don't forget regent, don't forget cbn university. this is an extremely important part of god's history. i come to you with a warning on this happy morning. do not forget your first love. do not forget the eternal truths to learn here -- you learned here. my heart is broken over the current spiritual condition of america. i ran for president of the united states because of what i saw happening to our great country. i knew the sacrifices on the prairies and all that gone on to build up this -- sacrifices and the prayers and all that had gone on to build up the

statistician, and i knew we cannot stand idly by and see it torn down. we needed to stand for it and build it up and pray for it. and so i ran. and yes, we do have political problems, and i'm involved in that process, and i actually thought i had a lot of good answers to those political problems. and we have more problems as well. -- moral problems as well. as believers, we cannot shy away from the political problems, and we should not. there is a move to tell christians to get out of politics. don't listen to it. we have moral problems. christians cannot ignore the moral problems. ultimately, the foundation of our problems is spiritual, and that is because even in our nation, even in many of our churches, we diminish the god of the universe by embracing a philosophy that says we must all coexist. had you seen a bumper sticker? "jesus is but one of many ways

to god." as believers, which should not offend anyone. even in churches, we cannot get too out there. we cannot talk about sin or the need for repentance, because to many churches tell us that if we talk about sin or a sin in church, we might offend people. if we offend people, maybe they won't come to jesus christ. but we forget, that is the point. jesus is the rock of offense, he is the stumbling start of history. -- stumbling stone of history. [applause] the law was given, the bible tells us, to show us our sin. let's face it, we're sinners, and without christ, we are eternally separated from god. even many in the church today

are reluctant to say that there is a day of judgment coming, but there is, and there is a little help, and without c -- there is a literal hell, and without christ, that is the future of man. the gospel in the charter right here at jamestown is that the good and loving god has made his way of escape from the scene and from hell -- from sin and from hell. jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice, something none of us can do on our own. when we believe in his name, we are saved. that is the fulfillment of the gospel, proclaimed by god, we told by the profits, fulfilled by christ, spread across the ages to all people, all nations, thomas, and tribes. we here at regent of the recipient of a big division, given an abort in the heart of an almighty god himself -- given and born in the heart of an almighty god himself.

as paul told timothy, " faithfully transferred the gospel of jesus christ." we have been interested with the big issue, a big commission. it is from those who saw into the future. never despises small beginnings. that is the fountain of greatness, that one day we would literally be here, the fulfillment, the incarnate literal fulfillment of their prayers. the world thinks christianity is about being nice and letting other people win. i'm just saying, that is not my view, i don't think that is god's. we are to be on offense with the gospel of jesus christ, going everywhere into every man's world. christianity is a life is lived by grace and god. in the political world by and

called into, i cannot escape from the seriousness of the hour that we live in. i do believe these are urgent, perilous times, directly tied to the fact that for too long, our nation has neglected and fidelity to the truth of god's word. we are all called to minister somewhere in some way. you have been called, each one of you, to the arts, business, a ministry, politics, the law, all for the advancement of the gospel. together, we are the most beautiful picture of the tapestry of his kingdom, and a foreshadowing of eternal life in the literal kingdom of heaven yet to come. just as hell is a real place, be encouraged, beloved, because 7 is also a real place, and every day i find that the political battles are larger. like, andat hell looks

a d.c. can make the answers very maddening. it is like the old saying, the faster we go, the behinder we get. christians cannot give up on politics. sin is ugly. me first, you not at all. sensuality and personal fulfillment. redefining basics like the family. ask any 3-year-old with a family is, and he will be able to tell you, but not the whizbangs in washington, d.c. number one, your presence at regent and your graduation of the liberal fulfillment of generations of urban prior. be grateful for what others have done for you.

second, you hold in your future the ability to bless the world with the lifesaving power of cheejesus christ. don't miss the ticket to that train. third, you carry the awesome privilege and responsibility of the faithfully living a life all to the glory of god and the advancement of the gospel as generations of faithful believers bit before you. be grateful for this eternal message, going off for the glory of god and advancement of the gospel. it is the message of regent university. make that message your own. god bless you all. have a great life. [applause]

>> congressman dennis kucinich, you are a member of the education committee. what you remember your own college commencement? >> i was looking that day, and i did not go to eight pit i graduated from case western reserve with a bachelor's and master's degree in speech communications. i have the certificate to prove it but i did not have a chance to go to the graduation because i was working. >> how about giving commencement speeches? >> i spoke at the american university in dubai. it was an honor to be there, with the ruler of dubai and members of the royal family. it was an opportunity to connect to young people who are going to go over the globe. my message was to try to inspire them and give a chance to look of the world in an expansive

way. it was an honor to be chosen at the forum, which was previously addressed by president clinton, secretary of state albright, secretary of state powell. >> how you prepared to give a speech like that? >> i wrote my speech on the airplane. and to prepare to give a commencement speech -- i guess you prepare your whole life to what you are sharing is your view of what life has and wil -- is and what will be. >> congressman dennis kucinich as spent eight terms representing ohio's 10th district. thank you for joining us. >> whole speech is at kucinich.us. check it out.

>> our coverage of the memorial day ceremonies continues shortly as president obama speech at the vietnam memorial wall. it gets underway at 1:00 p.m. eastern. live here on c-span. we continue with more commencement addresses from members of congress. up next, senator john kerry speaking to graduate of mount ida college, calling on grants to become more involved in the political process, citing the activists in the arab world and the sacrifices of the founding fathers. later, senator jon kyl at arizona christian university in phoenix. >> members of the board of trustees, a distinguished faculty and staff, and obviously, the unexcited and

completely irrepressible class of 2012. [laughter] [applause] when the doctor called me to speak, he said that this class wanted somebody who is dynamic and entertaining. [laughter] well, lady gaga wasn't available, so here i am. [laughter] let me begin by extending, you all have been wonderful the way you have embraced me today, i can feel the emotion and here it -- hear it at all of your speakers, but particularly your president. i want to join everybody in extending a remarkable career grit his congratulations that it deserves -- the greatest congratulations that o deserves but the new athletic turf that the mustangs did not get to play on but in the future will. [applause] i am an old lacrosse player, and

i mean old. [laughter] it is a great pleasure. this man has really led this college in a remarkable way, and i know you all agree with that. we were classmates in college. i wish him well on his retirement. but speaking personally, he is way too young to retire. [laughter] [applause] in the united states senate, we would call him one of the young turks still. [laughter] i join in everybody in extending the highest and best was use -- wishes to his successor, prof. barry brown, and i'm confident, as with all of you, that professor brown will move mount ida forward into a great second century. also, what a privilege to

receive an honorary degree in the company i am receiving it. clearly, the supreme traditional court justice have accomplished it amazing things. one is a remarkable job is dedicated to the rule of law and making sure that our justice system works, and other has touched the lives after being remarkably successful entrepreneurially, and has decided to give that and make sure that young kids who are at risk and in trouble all opportunities that don't depend on their bank account or zip code, but open up the opportunities to where they are supposed to. i am honored to receive an honorary degree with them, i salute both of them for that great accomplishment. [applause] also want to take a moment of what we call in the senate

personal privilege, if i may. in the senate, i am lucky to have on my team somebody by the name of alexander nunez, and here, you are lucky to have alex's mother, or as you call her, dean nunez. mount ida parents thank you for helping to educate their kids, and i thank you for raising an extraordinary kid who is one of my best staffers. she is here somewhere. i am happy to celebrate her. [applause] i also want to salute the mayor of the great city of newton, who was by my side every single day of the presidential campaign. he was my trip director, responsible for every stop everywhere we may in the country. he was also a staff director, deputy director come up here in

massachusetts but i watched him go off to war. he took a year's leave from my office to go to iraq, where he served as an officer in intelligence, and return home now to serve with distinction the city of new 1ton. it is great to see you here in that position. [applause] i was justhe deal -- reminded that i am the 10th most senior senator in the united states senate, and with it now, regrettably, dick lugar's loss and the retirement of the senator from new mexico, i will move up to eight, which is scary to me. [laughter] but the truth is, i stand here now with far more power that i have ever had in the united states senate, because i'm just about all that stands between you and your to gr -- your degrees. [laughter] i ruminated on how to handle

that power. on one hand, i thought i might give it one hour, 20 minute speech on foreign policy, global warming, the european debt crisis. then on the other hand, i thought that if we keep it about 10 minutes, we would have more time to have a beer together. [applause] so let me see now, this is a really hard choice. one hour, 20 minutes? 10 minutes and a beer? [laughter] i tell you, you guys can vote. i'm going for 10 minutes, at that simple. [laughter] i have had the privilege of going to quit if the commencement -- quite a few commencements over the course of my senate career, and obviously, as a parent, and assisted in to the commencement addresses, i will tell you, are dangerous.

they are hard, and they are dangerous because they can quickly and easily come into too many cliches. you have heard them all. "it is not an end, a beginning." "whatever makes you happy, chase it -- " da-da-da-da. [laughter] i thought i would give you some relate simple, quick advice, practical stuff. first, never borrow money from a guy named lefty. [laughter] second, when this m -- next march orel's around and you are in your new jobs, don't ask your bosses if they want to go tocancun for spring break. [laughter] third, be really careful with

"reply to all." [laughter] [applause] fourth, if you find yourself in a las vegas in a wedding chapel burying someone he met an hour before, think twice -- marrying someone you met an hour before, think twice. [laughter] fifth, just in case the mayan calendar is right about the world ending in december, wait until january to start paying back your loans. [applause] sixth, when filling out your profile on eharmony.com -- [laughter] never good to list your life goal as "moving out of your parents basement when you are

40." [laughter] when you are partying tonight -- [applause] enjoy parties, live it up, do things you never contemplated before to just don't put the footage on youtube. [applause] it you fall that, -- if you follow all that, you are going to win. obviously, i am not going to get out of here. carluccio will kick my you-know- what if i don't share something with you of a more serious in vain. i will take a few minutes to live up to my obligation. a lot of your thinking about the jobs you are going into, the world's you are going into. i'd be less than aware of what is going on if i did not stand

up here and realize that a lot of you, including your parents, are asking some big and very proper questions about politics , our country, where we are. some of you -- those of you in the veterinary science department, 80 saying what the hell, i going to do with this? [laughter] i want everybody to step back particularlyte, the graduate in class. take a minute just to think about the revolution in our own country in america, which began when, i think, your parents were kids. it was barely visible 26 years ago when i came to the senate, but which you have seen play out between entering high

school and now graduating college. it is a literally a revolution in the way we get information and communicate with each other, and it is changed every aspect of our life, but particularly our politics. it is a revolution that nobody except perhaps steve jobs and the people i remember from college who trudged or an with reams of green computer paper under their arms and we wondered what that was all about -- they are the only ones who could have envisioned where we are today. what began as a department of defense experiment for conditions in the event of a nuclear war has become the internet. 50 years ago, before congress passed a law to break up the monopoly, there was literally generally, you had to write one of those things called a letter. long distance calls were really expensive.

you could walk around with your phone only as far as the cord allowed you to. [laughter] at most, making a phone call was the only thing that telephone was capable of doing. now we are walking out and i -- walking around with mini- computers. they connect not just of videos and a voice. they connect each of us around the world and unbelievable amounts of information we have to process. who could have imagined a year ago this spring, tens of thousands of young people your age, millions of miles away, in various parts of the world, whether it was china or egypt, would put down their books, leave their cafes, and pour into tahrir square, and using

instagram and facebook, share with the world a real-time view of how you carry out an entire revolution. the news media jumped to call it the twitter revolution. but the truth is that the technology revolution gave us smartphones, but it did not just come out of the data chip. it came from a lot of people's creative spirit. the revolution in the middle east did not just come from someone's smartphones. it also came from someone's spirit. it reflected peoples, particularly a generation's, it deepest aspirations. average people, everyday people with extraordinary aspirations. it was a fruit vendor in tunisia, an illiterate, un

educated, never had the privilege of studying at a ida, justgkle mount another empoverish a vendor who cannot afford his pushcart. he was tired of being pushed around by government thugs. he lit himself on fire, and with that fire he lit a revolution across the middle east. we don't know where aid is going to end, but it is the fire that began on a fundamental level because someone somewhere wanted to be like us. they wanted to be free. they wanted to decide things for themselves instead of being told what to do and where the limits were and how far they could go. one of the blessings of living in the modern united states market i, -- united states of america is that for the moment, nothing is demanded of you to secure our freedom. we have grown up with that

inheritance. millet to millions upon millions of people around the globe, we -- relative to millions upon millions of people dropping the glove, we need bulbs of the comfortable lives. -- we lead a relatively comfortable lives. we don't have a military draft anymore. when we go to war, we are blessed with the military that makes sacrifices on our behalf, less than 1% of the nation to what is expected of the rest of us? what is expected of you after the public of this education and hard work of parents and yourself to get here? i want you to take away one thing today. the truth is that we rely on the quality of your education to make a difference. my plea to you today is to use some of it, not necessarily all of it, but some of it, to be the

kind of citizens who will help make this country what we want it to be paid most of you will not have to leave home to nation built in afghanistan. but every single one of you can help to do a little more nation- building here at home, the same way they are doing. with all the experience and insight i can share with you, we need you now more than ever to take the moment in your lives to make sure you are living at the privilege and responsibility of just plain old-fashioned citizenship. we need you to help make democracy work again right here at home. you have tehe tools to do it. i was talking with family and friends the other nine. you know how you sit at dinner sometimes and you have a debate about something and you forget,

when did we do that, when did this happen? boom -- you whip out your phone and you google it and in the middle of the conversation you have the answer. we never used to be able to do that. questions used to be unwas all. now we can resolve them with facts. today, unfortunately, at all the facts and it will not going to make a difference, my friends, if they wind up getting distorted in the political shouting match where facts are ignored or made up or facts just don't matter to migrate colleagues in the united states senate, -- my great colleague in the united states senate, daniel patrick moynihan of new york, used to remind people that everyone is entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts. sadly today, facts are constantly being made up, being

ignored, and worse, being bought and paid for by special interests could just put them out there and pretend it they are real even though there is no study in the world that's as they art. i'm telling you, that is our challenge. i say to you that our democracy is at risk unless we reclaim legitimate debate and accountability. remember, in the 1960's, when lance and i were in college, teenage kids and the college sophomores and juniors dropped out to go and fight for these things. kids lost their lives, some even lost their lives -- kids risked their lives, some even lost their lives, by going out on buses for the right to campaign for a bunch of americans who could fight in a war but still cannot vote. here we are 50 years later, and in the last election, 2010, 60%

of our citizens decided it was not even worth exercising that right to vote, if they thought about it at all. believe me, it matters. we sit here on a beautiful day, graduation, looking to the future. on monday, some of you go to work. some of you have time off to go to work. some of you will continue to look for jobs, and you will find them. but when we go to work, we will go to work in the backdrop of a growing debt, a gridlocked washington, the inability of our country to provide you with a framework to live out the dreams that you are owed. what amazes me about it, and what is frustrating to me, and it really is resting at this point, -- frustrating at this point, and it ought to be motivating to every single one of the -- there's not one issue in front of this country, not one, not medicare, entitlements,

social security, the deficit, infrastructure, energy policy, not one issue for which there isn't actually come easily accessible, a consensus solution, if we were willing to embrace it. all of them. it is not a matter -- it is lack of willpower, not lack of capacity. it may sound corny to you, but believe me, it is not. when i get up every day and the senate, it is not corny, it is real. we are still an experiment. when i travel, i have leaders of other countries say to me, "senator, can you guys deliver? is the united states in decline? will you live up your promises?" i know a lot of you not long from now are going to want to invest in a company or invest in

an apartment or invest in a home or invest in a retirement account, insurance policy. and asking you to make certain that you set a standard for mount ida where you also invest in citizenship and invest in the country. we have so much to embrace in giving us a sense of why we are part of that journey. this is a state where the revolution began, the revolution for independence. it is the state where the industrial revolution began a. it is the state with the technology revolution began to it is at the state with a great evarts of abolitionism and women's rights and the environment, all of these great things have always flourished, massachusetts. just think back to john adams, who had to get on a horse and a dead of winter, wrapped in

blankets to stay warm, to write from quincy all the way down to philadelphia, ride several days in the dead of winter, to work on the constitution that we live by to get. -- today. 225 years later, nobody is asking you to make that kind of trek for our politics, but we need you to be willing to go to a pta meeting, to care about education, to ask questions at a town hall meeting, we need you to call in to radio or tv show and talk common sense and put the facts on the table. we need you to support candidates and hold a public sector accountable. does that sound like a tall order? not compared to what john adams did, not compared to what general washington and those troops did valley forge whenever but he thought they might be hanged before we even became an

independent nation could the time that thomas paine wrote -- sunshine patriots. we cannot afford that kind of patriotism. class of 2012, i am asking you to get back to the true guts and grit that shipped this nation. i will tell you why it is still at there, and why i know it so well. my old friend john glenn, he served in the senate with me, he is a guy who went to war with the marines. then he went into space, first man in orbit of the earth. then he went to washington and continue to fight as a senator. he used to say something that i think is pretty irrelevant. "-- pretty relevant. "citizenship is the personnel department of the constitution. business is going well, and if it is not, you force yourself

into the boardroom and take the reins." you can actually still do that in america. you can transform your sense of right and wrong into action. all you have to do is remember the words of the ben franklin when he finished working on the constitution to he walked down the steps of independence hall late at night. they worked for months. people were wondering, what were we going to be as a nation? a woman walked up to him as he came down those steps, tired, and she looked at him and said, "tell us, dr. franklin, what do we have? a monarchy or republic?" he looked at her and said, "republic, if you can keep it." class of 2012, you are as much a part of the obligation to keep it had to give life to that concept as any other people in this nation, and you are better equipped than most. help us keep it. our job is to do that.

we are counting on you. good luck, and god bless you. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] >> representative virginia foxx of north carolina, you are a former college administrator could tell us about the experiences attending commencements. >> i am a former community college president and college administrator. let me tell you, community college graduations, my tick particularly ged graduations, are some of the most emotional graduations i've ever been to.

most community college students work and have families and go to school also. when those students graduate, it is a family affair. most of them have really struggled to get their degree. the average community college student is 31 years of age. some of them have been out of school for a long time. those are some of the most heartwarming graduations that you will ever see. when i was president of a community college, i always had this to kids speak in addition to having a major speaker, so the students would tell their stories, and they would usually move me to tears because they were so emotional. >> what do you recall what your own commencement experiences? >> well, i was not able to go to my undergraduate commencement. i got my a.b. degree from the

university of north carolina at chapel hill. but i was able to go to my master's degree commencement. it was outside the stadium, a wonderful place to be paid then i did my doctoral work at unc- greensboro. that was a very emotional event, because said members of my family it there -- i had members of my family there. my parents were not alive, but my godmother, aunt, lots of a family trait that was rewarding for me, because it took me almost eight years to get my doctoral degree, and it was a very rewarding experience. >> congresswoman virginia foxx, now in your fourth term, thanks for joining us. >> and thank you for highlighting this. graduation is an important time for us to celebrate in the united states. we have more memorial day

coverage coming up in just a few moments. live charlie, president obama will be at the vietnam wall in washington. defense secretary leon panetta and joint chiefs of staff chairman martin dempsey will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the start of the vietnam war. until then, senator jon kyl delivering the commencement address the graduates at arizona christian university in phoenix. he talked about his fate and the importance of preparation in achieving success. >> thank you all very much. thank you. glen, god obviously had other plans these for you. -- other plans for you. [laughter] thankfully so, for this great institution. good morning graduates, good morning families of graduates, and members of this great publicly indicated agitation.

i guess confession is good for the soul. rankhat time 100 list, i just below lady gaga. [laughter] i had to ask who lady gaga was. [laughter] well, today you celebrate, and your sense of accomplishment in earning your degree is justified. you have completed a crucial phase and the beginning of life learning. i am sure that you join me in thanking all of the people who put their faith in you -- her family, your professors, your other mentors. as one of america's best educators, party washington observes, "-- booker t. washington observes, "few things can help person more than placing responsibility on him

and letting him know you trust him." this university has done that for you. you entered this school to advance your christian education and to learn how to engage the world as servants of jesus christ. you have learned to think critically and to communicate effectively. you've had wise teachers and advisers. the truly exceptional acu faculty includes scholars of diverse talents to help you to discover great ideas and truths about life, oneself, and most importantly, god and his will. this has helped prepare you for a different career path, and that is what i want to talk to you about today. after all, no father or grandfather can resist sharing some lessons of life when given the opportunity. let's firstl ook -- first look at the governing philosophy of your school. it is to teach you how to become

productive, conscientious adults who serve the lord and engage the world in the example of jesus christ and contribute to the world in various and meaningful ways. now you have to begin making career choices to provide for your families and yourself in the years ahead. this leads me to the first of the two thoughts that i would like to leave with you today. goals are great, but preparation is key. almost all of you are a bit anxious about what you are going to be doing after graduation. some of you don't have jobs lined up. others do but are not sure about long-range plans. my advice is, i think less about long-term goals than performing well at what you are doing now. work hard to prepare for whatever may come.

if you possess a high quality education, which you now do, if you are willing to work and are receptive to opportunity, you need not chart right now every turn that your professional career ought to take. becoming fixed on one specific path, in fact, can sometimes lead to disappointment. as i said, bowls are important, but i have found that preparation -- goals are important, but i have found that preparation for whatever life brings is indispensable to success. as americans, we can have many jobs, we can have at several careers over a lifetime. as an undergraduate, i was not sure what i wanted to do. later, i practiced law for two decades, and when i started, i

had a little understanding of what life and the law would really be like. my career took twists and turns i could not have predicted. i certainly had no grand plan for a political career. i did, however, outright to lead my life so that i would be in a position to take advantage of opportunities. this starts, of course, by living the faith we profess. it is hard to imagine how much better i could be if i were a more perfect servant of the lord, but this i can say -- i would be nothing without my faith to sustain me. life can take as in many places. it often wine s -- winds up surprising us, presenting the

best opportunities we cannot have conceived of a graduation. focus on excellence at the task at hand, and don't worry if not everything turns out like you plan. there is an old yiddish saying that serves as a reminder of flexibility and ability -- "man makes plans, god laughs." obviously, planning is useful, but god may have other ideas. our ability to deal with his plans means we need to be well grounded and prepare for every eventuality. it is a matter of putting yourself in a position to take advantage of opportunity when the time comes. your education here is just the start of this preparation or positioning. a degree like yours, whether it is in bible studies, education, pre-law, christian ministries,

puts you in a position to seize opportunities that present themselves and put them to good use. here is the point -- success occurs when opportunity needs preparation -- meets preparation. the essential ingredient in this equation, i've found, is old- fashioned hard work. as the drivers on nascar -- i happen to be a big nascar fan, i will confess that right up front -- the drivers on the circuit say you make your own luck. in other words, work hard to put yourself in a position to win. you may not win, but if you're not close to the front with two laps to go, you will not finish first. give yourself position. thomas jefferson said it this way -- "emigrate believer -- i

am a great believer in luck, and the harder i work, the more that i have a." i want my share of arguments because i was better prepared than my opponent, and you can, too. most of you have a minor in bible studies, so you know that an important principle in scripture is that humility comes before honor to our religious and moral sense make us aware that as human beings, we have limitations. flesh and blood can never attain perfection. matthew -- "whoever installed himself will be hobbled, and whoever, will some self -- whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted

." hubris causes carelessness, but humility creates caution. caution breeds thoughtfulness. thoughtfulness stimulates preparation. properly understood, humility reinforces the need for and the success of preparation. to be clear, humility should never be confused with quiescence. it would be wrong to shy away from a challenge for responsibility using humility as an excuse. you each have talents which to have an obligation to maximize. egyptians to the promised land because god instructed him to have fa ith. god told jeremiah, "call on me,

and i will show you a great and mighty things you do not know." we should not have any difficulty being humble. but we also know that when we try to do god's will, there is no limit to the power that he can provide -- the empowerment he can provide paid . this verse from jeremiah has been an inspiration to me. you leave acu with a base of knowledge, but your own unique interests and capacities as individuals. you all have the potential to make a unique contribution in the years ahead, because you or one-of-a-kind, an individual. you can do things on like anyone else. -- unlike everyone else.

"my fruits, you shall know them," says in the book of matthew. preparation, humility, and the courage to respond to what ever you are called to do -- add these to your foundation of faithfinal thought. what ever wrote you take, your career will likely be filled with highs and lows, the days and bad days. there will be times when you feel self doubt in the trials of life, and they will, you know. that does not mean that god has lost sight of you or that you should despair. be prepared to work through the bad days. humbly seek god's guidance. recall these words. i do not regard myself as

having laid hold of it yet, but reaching forward to what lies ahead, a press on to the goal for the prize of the upward call of god and jesus christ. congratulations to each of you in this class of 2012. [applause] >> president obama continues his mo -- is a memorial day observances today, with remarks from the vietnam memorial today. he will be joined by leon panetta, martin dempsey, and former senator and veteran,

chuck hegel. it also attending the ceremony today, actor tom selleck. president obama should be speaking shortly. we will have live coverage here on c-span when it gets under way. ♪

♪ >> live pictures here at the vietnam war memorial. earlier at the national cemetery, the president said the country had to work to be a

nation worthy of the sacrifices of the service members who died. today marks the end of the vietnam war here at the vietnam memorial. i understand now that this event will start in about 20 minutes. we will join a live one gets under way here on c-span. until then, a commencement address from senator olympia snowe, of maine. she says that the sensible center has diminished in congress. she called on graduates to support candidates for census building. >> i am geek -- deeply gratified by your response. members of the faculty, parents,

and above law -- above all the class of 2012 -- [applause] as you graduate today from this exceptional university, congratulations on a job well done. and i am profoundly grateful to the university of southern maine for this -- bestowing on me this honorary degree, joining this distinguished group of honorees at this ceremony. after all the late nights and last-minute cramming -- not that any of you did that -- this is your award, a speech from a politician. [laughter] do not worry, while graduation's

a special occasions, they need not be eternal. [laughter] i get the message. i am very cognizant of the fact that i stand between you and those diplomas. it is truly a pleasure for me to be here. especially as so many graduates have turned distinct -- serve distinctions, proud and successful graduates, my god daughters. remember the you always carry with you the remarkable education and experiences that you received here at uofm from your outstanding speaker, as she described in your speak -- her speech, you have earned it and

worked hard for it. this day truly belongs to you. [applause] it also occurred to me that you and i share a common bond. we're both arriving at a moment of watershed change in our lives. although your change is arriving at a slightly younger age than mine. you are about to leave here having earned your degree from an institution that has again been named the best in the northeast. congratulations. [applause] meanwhile, as you may have heard, i am about to enter a new phase after 40 years in elected office. these days, the institution in graduating from does not quite have the stellar reputation that

your school bus. [laughter] -- school. [laughter] the questions and uncertainties that confronted my classmates and me, those that you have today, and understandably so, given the monumental challenges that have converged upon our nation and the world. they are decidedly a block of of the magnitude of the gunmen and women of the quality with era of the great 1960's. this is all i roundabout way of saying i have been in your shoes. but there is a common thread that i would like to share with you today that has enabled me to seize the opportunities in the midst of diversity and has frankly made all the difference throw my own life. that is that i just never expected from others or from

myself the idea that there were things that i could not do if i preserve them. no matter the circumstances, i never took no for an answer. just ask my colleagues in the u.s. senate. i believe that anything was possible and felt that way not only about my personal life, but the lesson of our nation, in bit -- embracing the spirit of can- do, not can do it, speaking to the best of americans. it has fuelled well the professional, personal, and civic lives. i know you are thinking that this is easy for me to say. when i was graduating i had no idea that i would become a united states senator. as i often joke, i never truly put together a resonate -- resume and look what happened to me, a life of politics.

[laughter] at a young age, both of my parents were working people. my father was a greek immigrant. my mother was third generation american. a mother passed away first, some might father was compelled to make a wrenching decision, to move to a greek orthodox institution in upstate new york. less than one year later, my father died. i could easily have retreated into a personal cocoon of spare. overcoming the obstacles that have descended on me, somewhere between the ages of 10 and 11 i was taking the train by myself between maine and school in new york.

amazingly, train connections would force me to sleep overnight in grand central station. and i did it, not the recommend it. early on in life i realized i had few choices. allow myself to become overwhelmed with tragedy, or learn something from it. thanks to strong role models and influences, i was positioned to view my setback as temporary, not permanent. when we find ourselves outside our comfort zone, it seems that we rediscover the heights to which we can rise.

a lesson that would reemerge for me again in my mid-20's. my first husband was serving in the house of representatives in maine. i was serving on the board of voter registration, working in the office of congressman bill:. -- bill cohen. one day at work received the depressing news that my husband had been keeping -- had been killed in a car accident. at 26 i was left to build a life for myself once again. i was being urged to run in a special election for my husband's seat. while i had not taken -- consider taking up an election in the middle of the emotional turmoil, i realized i had arrived again at another crossroads where i had to determine how to make a

positive of of a terrible negative. by virtue of having earned a political science degree in oregon, combined with a strong passion for serving others that had developed out of my own earlier experiences, i ultimately decided to run and i won. when i was sitting very you are, little could i have known that a 40 year journey in elected office would commence four years after my own graduation from college with a terrific event that could have been the end for me, rather than new beginning. the seeds of opportunity are often buried in the fertile soil that lies beneath the half truth of pain. -- harsh truth the pain. it is absolutely possible to

distill triumph from aversive the. an approach i have employed throughout the years. working with you on your own life's journey, it is not a question of whether you will encounter difficulties in life, it is really a question of how you confront it. the same is just as true for our country, america. as i embark from college into a new world and a nation divided, us a guest -- us against the government, neighbor against neighbor, even parents against parents. in america, 55,000 would die in vietnam, shaking a nation to its core, sparking massive demonstrations and riots to challenge the status quo at every turn. there was growing and profound distrust of government. fast forward to today, 2012.

yo is also a turbulent world. with the long shadows of september 11, we just concluded a decade-long war in iraq, thanks to our brave men and women who serve there and continue to serve in afghanistan. [applause] there, on the front lines, each and every day, with their extraordinary sacrifices, and non-terrorist sanctuary in afghanistan. we can never, ever repay the debt of gratitude that we owe them, but we can never, ever forget it. we are also grappling with the aftermath of financial systems run amok. in the housing market and job market, it has produced the

worst economic crisis since the great depression, resulting in the weakest recovery ever. but just when we begin to doubt what is still possible in these corrosive events, just when we think tonight is that it starkest, that is when we stumble on the collective and legendary american can-do spirit. . that has defined us since the founding fathers drafted the declaration of independence. let there be no mistake. washington has an obligation to set us on the right course. we have the duty to make it right. you have the right to demand that your government works for you. [applause]

x you can see the rest of the address in the cease and video library. we go live now to president obama, marking the anniversary of the vietnam war.

>> ladies and gentleman, please be seated. the ceremony will begin in a few minutes. thank you.

[unintelligible] [inaudible]

>> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the founder of the vietnam veterans memorial fund. >> thank you, thank you. [applause] thank you. i do appreciate the very kind welcome. ladies and gentleman, it is a pleasure to be here. i want to welcome my fellow military veterans of the vietnam war. co-star, family and friends. i want to begin by welcoming our

gold star families. [applause] let me also thank the national parks service and vietnam veterans memorial volunteers and staff. they work day in and out and do so much to care for the sickroom -- sacred memorial. thank you also much. [applause] i want to extend my personal thanks to the secretary of the interior for his very strong support and leadership. mr. secretary, please thank your remarkable staff at the national parks service for their magnificent help in today's ceremony and steadfast support for the last 30 years. thank you. [applause]

be want to thank lieutenant- general [unintelligible] and his staff for the vietnam war commemorative committee. the department of defense under the strong leadership of leon panetta has shown some really great leadership. they are making this day possible. this will be an amazing day that no one here will ever forget. thank you for spending your memorial day with us. by every year tradition brings us to this place where we pay respects and this ceremony will be unlike anything ever posted here before. this is indeed a special occasion for this memorial and i know that you will be moved and inspired to have everyone

comeback as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the vietnam veterans memorial. around that time we will gather across the street to break ground for the education center. this is a place where heroes will be honored and veterans of vietnam will be remembered as well. the veterans of iraq and the afghanistan will be honored. thank you very much for those of you who served in these wars. [applause] so, i hope to see all of you in november. until then, please learn more about this education center at our website. it is my pleasure to introduce a patriot who we all know as an emmy and gold will award winning actor. i know him and all veterans know

him as a dear friend. he has been a strong and some -- consistent supporter of hours we have come to know you as a special friend. ladies and telamon, please welcome our master of ceremonies, mr. tom selleck. [applause] >> bear with me a moment. thank you, jim.

sorry, there is so much sunshine that you cannot see the prompter. thank you, jan. thank you for your kind words and your friendship. i think that i speak for all veterans when i say thank you for your vision, perseverance, and leadership. you were the catalyst that brought americans together more than 30 years ago, resulting in this magnificent memorial and all that it represents, which again brings us together on this memorial day as we thank and honor our vietnam veterans, their loved ones, and especially

remember our fallen heroes. let me also recognize the medal of honor recipient, james michael [unintelligible] [applause] friends, please join me in thanking the president's own united states marine corps band for their magnificent performance. [applause] now, please rise as you are able and welcome to our members of the official party. the secretary -- >> the secretary of defense, the hon. leon panetta. [applause] the secretary of interior, the hon. ken salazar. [applause]

the hon. eric shawn secchi, secretary of veterans affairs. [applause] the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general martin dempsey. [applause] the hon. chuck a goal, former united states senator from nebraska. [applause] brian factor, medal of honor recipient. [applause] lieutenant-colonel stephen west, chaplain's corps, united states air force. [applause] the indication will be offered by colonel west. chaplin west in listed in the

vietnam era and served in the 1970's before attending a divinity school, and then continuing to serve the air force as a chaplain. >> thank you very much. before i ask for prayer, i am honored, as a godly man who ministered to our troops in vietnam and their families, he did so for many years and continues to be a constant sore throats -- source of strength to those who served in southeast asia. reverend billy graham's. from dr. billy graham's to are vietnam veterans and their families, decades ago i met with many of you in vietnam and throughout southeast asia, carrying a message of hope and

salvation through faith in jesus christ. during that time i spoke with you, speaking of your families back home as you bravely answered your nation's call. the years have flown by and we are all older now. at the age of 93, it is not possible for me to be with you in person for the memorial day ceremony, but i would like to think this opportunity to thank you again for your service. i will never forget my time with the troops, which i counted as a great honor and privilege. we have only to look at the thousands of names carved on the vietnam memorial to realize the great loss suffered by so many. for those of you that lost a father or brother, sister or

mother, husband, or wife, or a friend in vietnam, or for those whose loved ones were missing in action and have not yet returned, it is my prayer that the events during this 50th anniversary will be a comfort and encouragement to you, as their service and sacrifice is recognized and their memory honored. may god bless each one of you." -- rev. billy graham's. can we pray? heavenly father, you have blessed this great nation and raised sons and daughters willing to serve. we echo the sentiments and prayers of billy gramm.

in this hallowed place, we are conscious to journey with respect, honor, and inspiration. we are taught to reflect. comforting the families of the fallen, soothing the paint in their comrades, who improvised how for the veterans for homeless. we have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom and are internally grateful, convinced that we will always remember. amen. >> please be seated. please be seated.

ladies and gentleman, please join me in welcoming a truly heroic american. vietnam veteran and medal of honor recipient, brian thackery, reading the presidential proclamation on the 50th anniversary of the vietnam war. [applause] >> thank you. commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the vietnam war, by the president of the united states of america -- proclamation. we have served the 50th anniversary of the vietnam war and reflected the solid reference on the generation that served with honor.

to the more than 3 million servicemen and women who serve their families, one world away from everything they knew and loved. to the countless villages in between. from the rice paddies to the heat in the monsoon, fighting to protect the ideals we hold dear as americans. with more than one becket of combat over air, land, and see in the finest traditions of our armed forces, as a grateful nation we have more than 15,000 patriots pitched in black granite who sacrificed all that

they had and all that they would never know. we drew inspiration from the heroes that suffered unspeakably as prisoners of war. yet, we returned home, with heads held high and a pledge to keep faith with those who needed and still carried the scars of war. with more than 1600 service members still missing, we pledged as a nation to do everything in our power to bring these patriots home. we see military family members and veterans carrying pain that never fades. with a find peace in knowing that their loved ones in door in the hearts of all americans who in the hearts ofure

all americans. in recognition of this chapter in our nation's history that must never be forgotten, let us review our sacred commitment to those who answered the country's call in vietnam. beginning on memorial day, 2012, the federal government will partner with local governments, private organizations, and local communities. a 13 year program to honor and give thanks to a generation of americans who saw our country through the most challenging mission we have ever faced. we will never before -- fully worthy of their service, nor

will any honor truly beef at the sacrifice. let's remember, it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor. let us renew our commitment to the fullest possible accounting for those who have not returned. throughout this commemoration, let us strive to the example shown by the vietnam veterans, their families, and all who had served the fullest respect and earned the support of a grateful nation. now, barack obama, president of the united states of america, by virtue of the constitution of the laws of the united states, we hereby proclaim may 28, 2012, through november 11, 20205, as the commemoration of the anniversary of the vietnam war.

i call upon federal, state, and local officials to honor the vietnam veterans, the fallen, the wounded, those unaccounted for, the former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served in the appropriate programs and activities. in witness thereof, i have on the 25th day of may in the year of our lord, 2012, and of the independence of the united states of america the 236, barack obama. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentleman.

the national mall continues to be the location for many events in our country's history. please join me in welcoming a person that leads the terrific team that preserves and manages this and so many of america's treasures, the secretary of the interior, ken salazar. [applause] >> thank you very much, tom. to our vietnam veterans, their families, and the military men and women who are here, their families, and my colleagues, welcome to all of you here. it is a privilege and honor to partner with you in this remembrance of our fallen heroes. the national parks service oversees nearly 400 of america's

most beautiful landscapes around the country, including 85 national battlefields, military parks, and monuments for those who defended our country. we had no possibility to tell the story as part of the american story. the vietnam memorial is an of -- is a living memorial. people come here to honor their friends, relatives, and even those they had never met. at the base of the wall, the remembrances for that the great price of freedom were not silly -- not just at thomas stone of freedom, it is etched in the hearts and memories of those who honor the fallen. in the words of abraham lincoln, it was the last major issue of devotion to their country. i have visited the memorial

office and paid tribute to those who are on these walls. i often stand at panel 41 e, wrote 21. at the age of 13, i attended his burial. indoors's his family and the ultimate sacrifice. for almost 30 years it has been the honor of the national parks service to be the facilitator. we are coming the other to make the visitors center a reality.

god bless you and the united states of america. [applause] >> thank you, secretary salazar. fellow veterans, military family, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen it is a profound honor to join you on this hallowed ground on this special day. our goal is to dedicate this to our loved ones, whose lives we honor and remember. today i join with you to dedicate myself to the memory of my friends. ronald [unintelligible] there is a poem that was

written about vietnam, new year's day, 1970. "if you're able, save them in place in front of you. be not ashamed to say you love them. you may or may not have, always. what they have taught you with their dying, keep it with your own. in that time, when men decide to feel safe to call the war, take this moment to embrace the gentle heroes that you left behind. springfield, ill. -- shortly after he wrote the poem, he was

killed in action. his place onll has the wall. 12w, line 40. for many years, representatives of our patriotic organizations have traditionally made use of the vietnam veterans memorial and honor their fallen brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, given the last measure of devotion to america and the cause of freedom. we will observe a moment silence.

memorialetnam women's foundation. 0 -- american coastguard mothers. lone star wives of america. military order of the purple heart. a vietnam veterans of america.

associates of vietnam veterans. national league of missing in action families. veterans of foreign wars of the u.s.. disabled american veterans. amvets. the american legion. ladies auxiliary to the veterans of foreign wars of the united states. operation freedom bird. horizon veterans the advisory board. they called it atsd class. in washington, the veterans

administration medical center. ♪

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♪ ♪ [applause] >> the military has a chain of

command, and in case you do not know, that is the top of the chain. before we start, we have a very special guest. the one everyone who has ever served in the united states air force to stand and say hoo hah. we will now ask the next branch of the service, the u.s. navy, you will stand and say hoo hah. are there any coast guard out there? [applause] it sounds like propellers. and like that. how many people here have served in the united states army? [applause] unbelievable.

[applause] at this time, mr. tom selleck will be introducing our next speaker. >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome a great leader and warrior, the 18th chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general martin dempsey. [applause] >> thank you. and thank you for your heartfelt words, your service in the army

national guard, as well as your efforts to bring an education center here. as we gather at the vietnam veterans memorial, our fellow citizens are gathered in backyards, at memorials, and in cemeteries across america. across the potomac, at arlington, soldiers of the third infantry division are on patrol, making sure 260,000 flags stand tall. row after row after row. a widow presses a single flag into the ground just as she did last year and a year after that and a year before that. whether by the thousands or by herself, we all feel a common resolve on memorial day to pause, if only for a moment and to remember.

this solemn tradition began in 1868 when decoration day was proclaimed by the commander of the grand army of the atomic of the republic. since our republic's founding, nearly 2.5 million of our countrymen and women have in the words of general motors -- in 04 -- in the worlds of a general logan made -- some of the names are blasted into the granite wall. a wall and a war -- histories temperance allows us to see success where some only saw failure, to see hope where some only saw loss, and to see valor where some simply refuse to look. the vietnam, its veterans, and that families are not something apart from us, they are as fundamental to our national

story and is instrumental as any thing. in the years ahead, our military family will join with the rest of the military families to remember, learn, and to see ourselves with a renewed perspective. right now, we can see the names of so many on the wall before us. these are america's sons and daughters and today, their son. my own personal memory of war was in 1968 as a 16-rolled dishwasher and 19 -- in new york, i watched a vietnam veteran get off the bus to be met by his family. at a time in our history when heroes were hard to find, i thought i had found one.

i had never seen anyone so handsome, so physical, so determined and so proud. captain john gramm was his name and he's a big part of the reason i went to west point. in 1971, he was returned from his second tour of duty, having been killed in action as an adviser to the vietnamese army. i attended the ceremony on a very cold day in 1971. his son is now on the faculty at west point. a gunship officer died in battle and his son was 4 months old. his son is an air force colonel on my staff today. they are just two examples representative of thousands more who share our bond with their forbearers. whether you serve in vietnam,

iraq, or afghanistan, whether you returned home or are still awaiting their homecoming, there is no difference in their courage and in their sense of duty. there is no difference when it comes to fear and suffering on the front lines and on the home front. there is no difference in the of love and longing of families and there is no difference in the ones that remain seen and unseen. let us resolve today that there will be one essential difference, that we will never again allow our veterans and families to be left alone. left to feel some outside, left to feel -- left to fend for themselves. let's not just say welcome home, but to truly -- [applause]

let us resolve not just to say welcome home, but to truly welcome our troops home with respect and care they and their families have burned. such resolve is evident in those who join us today and to have joined together to support this memorial. we can see it in our president, first lady, secretary of veterans affairs and secretary of defense. i know secretary panetta short -- shares my interest to keep touch with the american people and i know he shares my unbounded pride in the men and women we serve and have served in uniform. join me in welcoming our secretary of defense, leon panetta. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, america's veterans, i am honored to be

here today with all of you as we begin the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of america's participation in the vietnam war. memorial day is an appropriate opportunity for all americans to come together and pay tribute to all of those who have fought and died for our country across more than 200 years and on battlefields near and far. america's sons and daughters have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberties. to give us all a better life. at this hour, at this hallowed and haunting memorial, we commemorate the 50th

anniversary of the vietnam war. a war that occupies a central place in the american story. millions of americans were sent across the pacific to a little- known place to fight in the service of the country that they love. not only at this hour, but at all times, we remember and carry in our hearts the more than 58,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coastguardsman is names are inscribed on this dark wall for eternity. for me personally, this is an especially moving moment. as a member and later chairman of the vietnam era veterans

caucus in the house of representatives, i had the honor to work on the endowment of this memorial. to see the names of soldiers that i served with inscribed on this wall, to see the names of officers who went through rotc with me in santa clara inscribed on his wall, to know my good friend, everett alvarez, a hero from this war and classmate of mine who served with great distinction in that war, no memorial, no memorial better reflects the pain and sacrifices that were made. many more came home, came home from that war to a country that failed to fully acknowledge their service and sacrifice and failed to give them the honor

they so justly deserved. that experience, that failure to thank those who were willing to put their lives on line for this country was burned into the soul of my generation. for too many vietnam veterans, the recognition of their bravery came too late. the vietnam generation, my generation, his graying now. but this commemoration effort gives the country an opportunity today and in the years ahead to try and right the wrongs of the past. to remember those who serve in this war and what they did for us, their service and sacrifice on our behalf. last week, i had the opportunity to join the

president in paying tribute to a fall in number of that generation, specialist les sable, who posthumously received the medal of honor. he died in vietnam saving his brothers in arms and it was those same brothers from the 101st airborne division who campaigned to reopen the medal of honor process but more than 10 years ago. south the story of les is the story of the vietnam war. we forgot, and now we finally remember. next week, as secretary of defense, i will have the opportunity to travel to vietnam to continue strengthening the growing

connections are countries are establishing since 1995. we have come a long way since the war ended. it was the veterans of vietnam who led it that way for our two nations to begin the process of trying to heal the wounds of war. today, the department of defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in vietnam. let me assure you that this sacred mission will continue until all our troops are accounted for. [applause] it reflects the determination of our military and country that we leave no man or woman behind and honor those who honored us with their service, their valor, and

their sacrifice. during the last decade of war, like past generations of warriors, and other generation has answered the call to fight and a sacrifice on foreign soil. they have done all this country has asked them to do and more. as they have returned from overseas, america, whether vietnam veterans front and center in the effort, have embraced this new greatest generation of service members, showing we have learned perhaps the most important lesson to come out of the vietnam war. the debt we owe to those who fight and die for our freedoms. [applause] the president and mrs. obama had

done so much to encourage americans to do more to recognize and support these great patriots. they have led the fight for the men and women who have fought for our nation. as this country faces tough economic times, we must do everything we can to ease the transition of the thousands of service members who will come home from war to civilian life. they fought for us. the least we can do is fight for them. [applause] it is now my honor to introduce one of those soldiers. senator jack hegel. he led an infantry squad in vietnam -- senator chuck hegel.

like millions of our generation, he demonstrated bravery, patriotism and heroism on the battlefield. he also demonstrated that patriotism and bravery and heroism in his life of public service. thank you for honoring us with your presence today and thank you for your commitment to the united states of america. god bless you. [applause] >> thank you. i'm honored to be among the today. i'm grateful for the opportunity to say a couple of words before i introduce our special guest this afternoon. this uniquely american day, memorial day, was born over 140

years ago after america's civil war, are most costly and terrible war, a war that tore at the heart and fabric of our public. the next war to provide that produced a moral that watches over us today and projects the image is of the future as it records the names of the past. memorials are built for the living and our to instruct our destiny as a honor and remember those who fell in the service of their country. memorial's further instruct us of the powerful responsibility as our nation's stewards to make policy worthy of the sacrifices of those who serve and die. war is not an abstraction. it's brutal and is always been accompanied by the dangers of unintended consequences. even though this is so, america's men and women have always found a higher purpose to

their life in service to their country. i often think about those quiet heroes i served with in 1968 and i'm proud that my brother is here with me sitting in the front row. thank you. [applause] i never knew or serve with a better soldier core better man than my brother, tom. these quiet heroes who we slogged through jungles with, fought side by side with, and sometimes helplessly watched die, always considered themselves ordinary people. but they were far from ordinary. they view themselves as ordinary because there were humble, patriotic, and selfless. they never ask for nor expected anything in return of their service other than respect and dignity. sadly, what they received from a

confused and angry nation was neither. in fact, there were blamed for the folly that so consumed america for so many years. the vietnam veterans memorial means many things to many people. not only is there deep meanings from the families to the wall, but so is of americans of all generations. among these feelings is their responsibility and honor to assist returning veterans from the wars of the last 11 years. assuring these returning veterans are productively integrated back into society with the appreciation and recognition be fitting a great nation. as we have painfully learned the tragic lessons of vietnam, society must always separate the war from the warriors. we do not celebrate the vietnam war. we commemorate an historically recognize it. as i said at the groundbreaking on this very sight on a cold and windy march day in 1982, there

is no glory in war, only suffering. life is more about people than the event. events are stages upon which individuals change the world. today, we do celebrate a group of people. we celebrate those individuals to change our country for the better, our vietnam veterans and their families. we also recognize those assisting our military families today in a very special way, like the first lady, michelle obama, and dr. joe biden. -- dr. jill biden. in my lifetime, america has not known to more committed leaders to its men and women in uniform and its veterans and their families than president obama and vice president biden. on behalf of this beautifully creator-endowed land, here to speak for all this on this special day when we are all americans is the leader of our

country, the 44th president of the united states, barack obama. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the guest of honor and remain standing until the colors are retired. ♪ the president of the united states, barack obama. first lady, michelle obama. vice president biden and dr. biden. ♪

[applause] ♪

♪ [national anthem playing] ♪

>> please be seated. >> good afternoon, everybody. chat, thank you for your words and your friendship and your life of service. veterans of the vietnam war, families, friends, distinguished guests, i know it is hot. but you are here to honor your

loved ones and michele and i could not be more honored to be here with you. it speaks to the complexity of america's time in vietnam that even now, historians cannot agree on precisely when the war began. american advisers have served there and died there as early as the mid-50s. major combat operations would not begin until the mid-60s. but if any year illustrated the changing nature of our involvement, it was 1962. it was january in saigon.

army pilots strap on their helmets and boarded their helicopters. they lifted off, raced over treetops carrying south vietnamese troops. it was a single raid against an enemy stronghold. just a few miles into the jungle, but it was one of america's first major operations in that faraway land. 50 years later, we come to this wall, to this sacred place to remember. we can step toward its granite wall and reach out and touch and name. today is memorial day, when we recall all of those who gave everything in the darkness of war so we can stand here in the glory of spring.

today begins the 50th commemoration of our war in vietnam. we honor each of those names etched in stone. 58,282 american patriots, we salute all his serve with some and we stand with the families who love them still. for years, you have come here to be with them once more. in the simple things you have left behind your offerings, your mementos, your guests. we get a glimpse of the lives they live. the blankets that covered them as a baby, the baseball that he

swung as a boy. a wedding ring, a photograph of the grandchild he never met, the boots he wore, still caked in mud. the metals she earned, still shining. of course, some of the things left here of special meanings only to the veterans. a can of beer and a packet of , ans, a container of spam old field ration, still good, still awful. it is here that we feel the depth of your sacrifices and here we see a piece of a larger american story. our founders, and in their genius, gave us the task.

they set out to make a more perfect union and challenge every generation to keep on network and keep moving ford to overcome a sometimes painful past to keep striving for ideals. one of the most painful chapters of our history was vietnam. most particularly how we treated our troops who served there. you are often blamed for a war you didn't start when you should have been commended for serving your country with dollar. you are sometimes blamed for the misdeeds of a few. [applause]

when the hon. service of the many should have been praised. you came home and were sometimes denigrated when you should have been celebrated. it was a national shame. a disgrace that should have never happened. that is why here, today, we resolve that will not happen again. [applause] a central part of this 50th anniversary will be to tell your story as it should have been told all along, another chance to set the record straight. that is one more way we keep perfecting our union, setting the record straight, and it starts today.

history will honor your service. your name is will join a story of service that stretches back to centuries. let us tell the story of the generation of service members who served with just as much patriotism and honor as any before you. let's never forget that most of those who serve in vietnam did so by choice. so many of you volunteered. your country was at war and you said "send me." that includes our women in vietnam. everyone of you a volunteer. [applause] those who were drafted, they went and carried their burden.

you served, you do your duty. he persevered through some of the most brutal conditions ever faced by americans in war. the suffocating heat, the drenching monsoon rains, an enemy that would come out of nowhere in vanished just as quickly. some of the most intense urban combat in history and a battle for a single elected of wage and for weeks. let it be said that in hellholes like the briar patch and hanoi hilton, are vietnam prisoners of war did not just in door, you wrote some of the most extraordinary stories of bravery in the annals of military history. [applause] as a nation, we long celebrated the courage of our forces at

normandy, he would jima -- iwo jima, heartbreak ridge. let us also speak of your courage in saigon, from hamburger hill to rolling thunder. all too often, it is forgotten that you, our troops in vietnam won every major battle you fought in. [applause] when you came home, i know many of you put your medals away and cut them in a drawer or a box in the closet. he went on with your lives, started families and pursue careers. a lot of you did not talk too much about your service.

as a consequence, this nation has not always fully appreciated this chapter of your lives that came next. let us also tell the story of a generation that came home and how even though some americans turn their back on you, you never turn your back on america. [applause] like generations before you, you took off the uniform, but he never stopped serving. you became teachers, police officers, nurses, folks we count on every single day. you became entrepreneurs running companies and pioneering industries that change the world. he became leaders and public servants from town halls to capitol hill, lifting up our communities, are states, our

nation. you reminded us what it was like to serve and what it meant to serve. those of you who stayed in uniform rows into the ranks and became leaders in every service, learn from your experience in vietnam, and rebuilt our military into the finest forced the world has ever known. [applause] let's remember all those vietnam veterans who came back and serve again in the wars in iraq and afghanistan. you did not stop serving. [applause] even as you succeeded in all of these endeavors, you did something more. maybe the most important thing you did, you look after each other. your government didn't live up to its responsibilities and you

spoke out, fighting for the care and benefits you would earn and over time, transforming the va. of course, one of these vietnam veterans is now our outstanding secretary of veterans affairs. [applause] you looked after while another, you cared for one another, people were not always talking about ptsd at the time. you were there for each other and just as importantly, you didn't just take care of your own, you cared for those that followed. you made your mission to make sure today's troops get the respect and support that all too often you did not receive. [applause]

because of view, because are vietnam veterans lead charge, the post-9/11 gi bill is helping thousands of veterans go to college and pursue their dreams. [applause] because you did not let us forget, our airports are returning troops who get off the airplane and you are there to shake their hands. [applause] because of view, across america, communities have welcomed home our forces from iraq and what our troops return from afghanistan, america will give this entire 9/11 generation the return they deserve in part because of view. [applause] -- be it -- because of you.

this is the story of our vietnam service members, a story that needs to be told. this is what this 50th anniversary is all about. another opportunity to say to are vietnam veterans what we should have been saying from the beginning. you do your job. you served with honor. he made us proud. you came home and helped build the america we love and cherish. here today, it must be said that you earn your place among the greatest generations. this time, i would ask all are vietnam veterans, those of you who can stand, those of you already standing, raise your hands, as we say those simple words which always agreed our

troops when they come home from here on out, -- always greet our troops when they come home -- welcome home. welcome home. welcome home. thank you. [applause] we appreciate you. welcome home. [applause] today, we are calling on all americans in every segment of our society to join this effort. everybody can do something. five decades removed from a time of division among americans, this day can remind us of what we share as americans. that includes honoring vietnam veterans by never forgetting the lessons of that war. let us resolve that one america sends our sons and daughters into harm's way, we will always give them a clear mission and

always give them a sound strategy. we will give them the equipment they need to get the job done. we will have their backs. [applause] we will resolve that leaders will be candid about the risks and about progress and have a plan to bring our troops home with honor. let us resolve to never forget the cost of war, including the terrible loss of innocent civilians. not just in vietnam, but in all wars. we know your sacrifice and service is the very definition of glory. but war itself is not glorious. we hate war. when we fight, we do so to protect ourselves because it is necessary. let's resolve that in our democracy, we can debate and

disagree even in a time of war. but let us never use patriotism as a political sword. patriots can support a war or oppose award. let us always stand united in support of our troops who week placed in harm's way. that is our solemn obligation. [applause] let's resolve to take care of our veterans as well as they have taken care of us. not just talk, but action. not just in the first five years after a war, but the first five decades. for vietnam veterans, this means disability benefits for diseases connected to agent orange. it means job opportunities and

health-care to help you stand tall again. it means ending the tragedy of veterans homelessness, that every veteran should have a home in america. he should not have to fight for a roof over your head when he fought on behalf of the country you love. [applause] when an american does not come back, including the 1666 americans still missing from the vietnam war, let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. this is our solemn promise to mothers like this to join us today -- a 93-year-old who has honored her son, missing in action for 42 years. there she is. thank you for your courage. god bless you. [applause]

there is a promise we are falling day to a family from arkansas. 43 years after he went missing, we can announce that the army captains -- army captain, verbal maloney -- virgil maloney, is coming, and can finally rest in peace. some have called this war a scar on our country, but here is what i say. as anyone heels, the tissue

around it becomes tougher and stronger than before. in this sense, and finally, we might begin to see the true legacy of vietnam. because of vietnam and our veterans, we use american power smarter, we honor our military more and we take care are veterans better. because of the hard work in vietnam, because of you, america is stronger than before. [applause] finally, on this anniversary, and all the years to come, let us remember what binds us as one people. this is important for all of us, whether you fought in the vietnam war or fought against it or whether you were too young to be shaped by it. it is important that our children understand the sacrifices that were made by our

troops in vietnam. for them, it's more than just a name in the history books. it is important we know of the lesson of a gift will once left at this memorial. it was toward the end of the day and most tourists and visitors had departed. there it was, a football helmet black, with white stripes, and a wrist band. with them was a handwritten note from a young man still in high school. this was more than two decades after vietnam. that high school student was born years after the war had already ended. but in that short, handwritten note, he captured the reverence , the bond between generations that bring us here today. the letter began -- "dear vietnam veterans come here are two things from me to you that i think you should have.

he explained it was his helmet from midget football and his wrist band from his senior year. today, i want to close with the words he wrote. in these two pieces of equipment, i was allowed to make mistakes, correct them, grow, and mature as a person. however, that was on my battlefield. you did not get the chance to do that and your battlefield. some of you were forced to grow up too fast. all he died too soon. we do have many things in common. we both have pride, heart, and determination. i am just sorry you guys had to learn those qualities too fast. that is why i am giving you what

i grew up with. you are true heroes and you will never be forgotten. kid bornom high-school decades after the end of the war. that captures the spirit of this entire country that we should embrace. veterans, families of the vietnam war, i know the wounds of war are slow to heal. you know that better than most. but today, we take another step. the task of selling your a -- the task of telling your story continues. decades from now, i hope another young american will visit this place and reach out and touch a name. she will learn the story of service members, people she never met and fought a war she never knew and in that moment of

understanding, and gratitude, and the grace, your legacy will indoor, for you are all true heroes and you will all be remembered. may god bless you. may god bless your families. may god bless our men and women in uniform. may god bless these united states of america. [applause] >> thank you very much, mr. president. there is a tradition at the wall when a new name is added. it is read on memorial day. this year, 10 new names were added to the wall.

we ask the families of these heroes to rise as their loved ones are red. -- loved ones are read. [reading names] [applause] [reading names] [applause] [reading names] [applause]

[reading names] [applause] + wall now bears the names of 58,282 heroes. ladies and gentleman, please rise as the president, first lady, and other distinguished leaders take their place at the wall with the families and represent not only their loved ones, but all who served. -- all his serve, suffered, and sacrifice all in the name of freedom.

>> joining the president and first lady is the wife of a medal of honor recipient. they will lay a wreath in honor of all who served. joining the vice president of the united states, dr. joe biden and mrs. kilobyte in is the sister of a medal of honor recipient, u.s. air force, in honor of american prisoners of war. joining the hon. leon panetta, secretary of defense, is the mother of donald emerson junior

and to whom we renew our commitment to the fullest possible accounting. joining the hon. can salazar, secretary of the interior, is the brother and nephew of a specialist in the u.s. army as they honor all deserve. -- all who served. joining the hon. eric shinseki, an honor of all who bear the wounds of war. joining general martin dempsey, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, is the brother of capt. mary clinker in honor of all

women warriors who served. joining general re odierno, is the wife of a surgeon in honor of every soldier who served. joining major-general timothy hanathan is the honor of medal of honor recipient, bruce conner, in honor of all marines who served. joining admiral mark ferguson, vice chief of naval operations is stephanie loper, the niece -- joining the vice chief of staff of the united states air force

is the daughter of a lieutenant colonel in honor of every member of the air force who served. joining the vice admiral of the united states coastguard is the brother and sons of jack columbus research and in honor of every member of the coastguard who served. joining general craig mckinley, chief of the national guard bureau are the sons of major, and honor of every member of the guards who served and serve. joining the hon. william burns, deputy secretary of state, is the wife of joseph gregory fendino, in that memory of all

in the state department who served. joining the deputy secretary of transportation is commander william cahill, u.s. navy, retired, a vietnam veteran and member of the department transportation, to honor all who served in the merchant marines. joining mr. jan scruggs is the sister a specialist james gabriel and hon. special forces. joining major-general victor hugo, u.s. army retired our daughters of a colonel in honor of all is served.

♪ ["amazing grace" playing]

♪ ["taps" playing]

>> [unintelligible] ]> [indistinct

♪

[applause] [stars and stripes forever playing]

[marching band continues] [applause] >> please be seated.

[martial music playing] mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored his truth is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah

laurie, glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on i see in the watch [indistinct lyrics] his name is marching on

glory, glory hallelujah glory, glory hallelujah his truth is marching on [applause] in the beauty of the day

with the glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me [indistinct lyrics] his truth is marching on glory, glory hallelujah, glory, glory hallelujah his truth is marching on glory, glory hallelujah glory, glory hallelujah

glory, glory hallelujah his truth is marching on glory glory ♪ [applause] >> please be seated. ladies and gentleman, a vietnam veterans, thank you. thank you for honoring us with your parents. please join me in thanking the department of defense, the vietnam veterans memorial fund, and all who had a part in today's moving tribute. and let us all think the marine

band and the army chorus for their magnificent performance. [applause] with our final selection, i would ask you to stand as you are able during this service song medley. thank you for being so patient. god bless you and the land we love. thank you. [marching band playing] [indistinct choral singing]

♪ into the wild blue yonder there we go! there we go [indistinct lyrics] ♪

[indistinct lyrics] ♪ >> ♪ from the halls of montezuma to the shores of tripoli we fight our country's battles in the air and land and sea. we fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean we are proud to claim the title of

united states marines. ♪ >> over here, over there as the army goes fighting along fight, fight, fight as the army goes rolling along ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the departure of the official party and special guests and stay in place until

they have departed. this concludes our special ceremony. thank you for attending. buses for the pentagon area will begin departing immediately and will continue until 5:00 p.m. if you would like to visit the wall, please enter to your left and entered the walkway on the left-hand side. thank you, and have a nice day. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] >> earlier today, just about a mile west of the vietnam memorial, president obama and his family attended a memorial day ceremony at arlington national cemetery. he deliver the annual memorial day address of the nearby amphitheater. leon panetta e and martin

dempsey also gave remarks. this is about 40 minutes.

>> forward. halt! present! ♪ [marching band playing "the star-spangled banner"]

>> forward! [indistinct cadence] present! >> present!

>> huh! [drumroll] ["taps" playing]

>> forward! [indistinct cadence]

[indsinct]

>> the u.s. army military district of washington. major-general michael s. livingston. ms. catherine a. executive director army program. general martin martin dempsey, chairman joint chiefs of staff. the honorable leon panetta, the affirmative defense. ♪

ladies and gentleman, the president of the united states. ["hail to the chief" playing] [applause] >> ladies and gentleman, chaplain berry. >> join me please. eternal god, lord of time and eternity, lord of the living and the dead, you have made yourself known to us by your mighty works throughout the history of our nation. from our earliest beginnings you have guided us through times of the diversity and prep asperity

-- prosperity, during war and peace. you have shown yourself strong to save us, among all the nations of the earth. america it has been richly blessed in extraordinary ways. we remember with highest esteem and devoted respect our fellow citizens to have fallen and died in america's wars. many of these gallant americans died before the enemy's guns. many die alone. all served for the sake of future generations of americans who they themselves would never know. many of these patriots are long dead, and yet time will not efface the glory of their deeds or the sting of their lost. lived out of this nation's wounded heart as we remember them -- lift up this nation's wounded hard as we remember

them and their sacrifice. these quiet heroes have caused our flag to continue to fly high. in power is to take up the right of liberty so on our watch it may remain free. this is our fervent hope and this is for what we pray, amen. >> amen. >> please welcome the u.s. army band and singing the u.s. national anthem. >> o say do i see early lights was so proud of the week hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? we watchedmparts

were so gallantly streaming? and the rockets' red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there o say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? ♪ >> please be seated. en, gdies and gentlema

eneral dempsey. [applause] >> mr. president, secretary panetta, secretary shinkseki, and most especially, the families of our fallen warriors -- welcome. today is worth noting that memorial day was originally known as decoration day. we decorated with vibrant colors to express the depth of our collective gratitude and our pride in those risking everything for our country. despite the celebratory hues, the american family also pauses to mourn members of our military family he will not come home. this complex range of emotions is evident in a piece by it one of america's greatest writers,

longfellow. one of his poems entitled "direct -- "decoration day." wall relieved that his own son of shirley -- while relieved that his own son charlie returned home state from work, he was afraid that many did not. he concludes -- "your silent tents of green we deck with fragrant flowers yours the suffering has been the memory shall be hours." the memory will be ours. it is a manifestation of the sacred bond of trust between the

military family and the larger american family. but what really counts is the bond we have with those who are still here and now we turn that memory into action. today, which stand behind families who will never be a whole again, but we continue to stand with them every day. support them in the ways that they need most, particularly as they transition back into their homes and communities. so that they know we do not just think of them, but we really do remember. every national-level department and agency represented here today is committed to making education, medical care, and employment opportunities accessible to the military family. but the va cannot drop the kids off at soccer and the d.o.t. cannot help you study for your

final -- dod cannot help to study for your final exam. it is no surprise that this has had a local observance years before nationally. it demands our constant attention and is something we will have to keep delivering. and we will . because the memory is hours. -- ours. all of ours. may god bless the fallen, the missing, and may god bless all of us. god bless america. [applause] >> ladies and gentleman, listen now as the united states army band performs "the last full

measure of devotion." ♪ >> ♪ in the long and honered history there are names that shine like beacons in the night the who kept the lamp of freedom burning bright in the long and honored history of america who were called upon by chance

to make the ultimate sacrifice ♪ a great phonation -- grateful nation a thanks for guaranteeing our tomorrow ♪ the last full measure of devotion that is what they gave to the cause the last full measure of devotion though they cannot hear our

applause we honor them for ever and keep alive their story and give them all the glory ♪ the last full measure of devotion beyond the call of duty was their deed the last full measure of devotion ♪ for those who did survived and came back home alive

♪ ♪ ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, secretary panetta. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, guests,

veterans, active service members, mrs. oabama, mr. president, it is an honor to be able to be here today with all of you to meant -- to observe memorial day on this most sacred ground for our military and carnation -- and our nation. arlington and all of the men and women who rest here are a constant reminder that freedom is not free. today, we join the americans in coming together to pay tribute to all those brave americans who have fought and died for our country. we honor and remember america's heroes, our patriots who have

made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their liberties. as we have for the past 10 today we still, gather at a time of war. today, the american people remember more than 6400 heroes who have died in defense of our nation since september 11. today, we will also pay tribute to the 58,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguardsman who died in vietnam on this 50th anniversary of that war. they and their families have paid a price beyond measure.

because of their sacrifice, we are free and we are secure. we are safer because they were willing to put their lives on the line. all of the millions of brave patriots who have stepped forward to serve this nation in time of war deserve our gratitude, and respect, and are injuring support because they have kept -- our enduring support because they have kept our nation safe. we honor those american families for whom this day is most difficult. the mothers and fathers and husbands and wives and sons and daughters who have lost a child,

spouse, or a parent. since becoming secretary of defense, like the president, i have written hundreds of letters of condolences to those families. there are no words that can heal, and no sentences that can lessen the loss, but in the struggle to find the right words, i tell them their loved one died for all they loved. for the spouse, children, for their family, for their country to ensure the survival of our way of life and our nation. the memory of their loved ones will be in our hearts every day for the rest of our lives.

they will never be forgotten. they are forever heroes. we must resolve to do all we can for these families. it takes all of us, every citizen, every community, every business, to care for those families. that is why the consolation and support of organizations are so important. we hope will emerge from a decade of war. we must renew our pledge on this memorial day to do all we can to insure the sacrifices of our service members and their families are honored. and that those who fell in battle are remembered and never forgotten.

as americans, that must be our sacred charge and our sacred mission, not just on memorial day, but every day. they fought and died for us. we must now fight to protect the memory of their sacrifice forever. it is now my privilege and my honor to introduce someone who has taken this charge to its heart. i have been honored to work closely with president obama as director of the cia and now as secretary of defense, and to have the opportunity to see how seriously he takes his responsibilities as commander- in-chief. he has no higher priority than to protect this country and to protect those who protect all of us. ladies and gentlemen, the

president of the united states. [applause] >> good morning, everybody. thank you for your introduction and for your incredible service to our country. general dempsey, all of you who are here today, active duty, veterans, family and friends of the fallen, it thank you for allowing me the privilege of joining you in this sacred place to commemorate memorial day. these 600 acres are home to americans from every part of the

country who gave their lives in every corner of the globe. whenever revolution needed to be waged and a union needed to be saved, they left their homes and took up arms for the sake of an idea. from vietnam to afghanistan, they stepped forward and answered the call. they fought for a home they might never return to. they fought for buddies they would never forget. they rest here together, side by row by row because each of them loved this country and everything it stands for

more than life itself. today, we come together as americans to pray, to reflect, and to remember these heroes. tomorrow, this will once again belong to a smaller group of visitors who make their way through the gates and across these fields in the heat and a cold, in the rain and snow, following a path to a certain spot and kneeling in front of a familiar headstone. you are the family and friends of the fallen. parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, by birth and by sacrifice. you leave the the piece of your hearts beneath these trees. you call this sanctuary,.

-- home. your footsteps trace the path of our history. for the first time in nine years, americans are not fighting and dying in iraq. [applause] we are winding down the war in afghanistan and our troops will continue to come home. [applause] after a decade under the dark cloud of war, but we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. especially for those who have this chapterone commen, will remain open after the guns have fallen silent. it is fitting to pay tribute to

the sacrifice that spanned that conflict. in march of 2003, on the first day of the invasion, one of our helicopters crashed near the iraqi border with kuwait. audit were four marines. -- on it were four marines. together, they became the first american casualties of the iraq war. their families and friends barely had time to register the beginning of the conflict before being forced to confront the costs. eight years, seven months, and 25 days later, army specialist

david hickman was on patrol in baghdad. that is when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb. he became the last of nearly 4500 american patriots to give their lives in iraq. thenth after david's death, days before the last american troops were scheduled to come home, i met with the family. right now, they are beginning a very difficult journey that so many of your families have traveled before. a jury that even more families will take in the months and years at -- a journey that even more families will take and the months and years ahead. i repeat what i said to the hickmans. i cannot begin to fully understand your loss. i cannot begin to imagine what it's like to hear that not on the door and learn that your worst fears have come true.

as commander in chief, i can tell you that sending our troops into harm's way it is the most wrenching decision that i have to make. i can promise you i will never do so unless it is absolutely necessary. when we do, we must give our troops a clear mission and the full support of a grateful nation. as a country -- [applause] as the country, all of us should ask ourselves how we can help your shoulder a burden that nobody should have to bear alone. as we honor your mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, we have given -- who have given their last full measure of devotion to this country, we have to ask ourselves how we can support you and your families and give you some strength.

one thing we can do is remember these heroes as you remember them. not just as a number or a name on a headstone, but as americans often far too young who were guided by a non- binding -- bite and abiding love for their families, each other, and this country. we can remember the pilots who met his wife on an aircraft carrier. if anything happens to me, just know i am doing what i love. we can remember the former track star, always the first one into action, who quit his job as an accountant and joined the marines because he wanted to do something more meaningful with his life. we can remember brian kennedy, the lacrosse fanatic who told his father about the marines

were some of the best man he had ever dealt with. they would be his friends forever. we can remember kendall waters, a proud father, who was described as a light in a very dark world. we can remember david hickman, a freshman in high school when the war began, a fitness fanatic who jokingly called himself zeus. we can remember them. we can meet our obligations to those who did come home, and their families in the midst of a different and a real battle of their own. to all of our men and women in uniform here today, know this. the patriots who rested beneath these hills were fighting for many things, for their families,

for their flag. above all, they were fighting for you. as long as i am president, we will make sure you and your loved ones received the benefits you have current and the respect you deserve. america will be there for you. [applause] finally, for all of you who carry a special weight on your hard, we can strive to be a nation worthy of your sacrifice, a nation that is fair and equal, peaceful and free, a nation that weighs the cost of every human life, a nation where all of us meet our obligations to one another, and to this country that we love. that is what we can do. as president, i have no higher honor and a greater responsibility than serving as commander in chief of the greatest military the world has

ever known. [applause] on days like this, i take pride in the fact that this country has always been home to men and women willing to give of themselves until they have nothing more to give. i take part in the strength and resolve -- heart and the strength and resolve of those who served here and around the world. we must always try to be worthy of your sacrifice. god bless you. god bless the fallen. god bless our men and women in uniform. may god bless the united states of america. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, please stand before the playing of "taps" and the benediction. ["taps" playing]

>> going to the world to preserve peace, remember the wisdom you have learned, and the courageous. pursue excellence in all things and cling to that which is good. lift up the oppressed, defend the helpless, honor god, fear no man. love and serve the lord, amen. >> please remain in place until the president has departed.

[applause] ♪ >> this week, the first in a series of interviews with cable executives and communications regulars -- regulators. tonight, our discussions with national cable and tele- communications association president and ceo michael powell. spend the weekend in wichita, kan., with booktv and american history tv.

browse the rare book collection. experienced early plains life, the early days of flight at the kansas aviation museum. once a month, c-span's local content vehicles to explore the city and literary life of cities across america. this weekend, from wichita, kan., on c-span 2 and 3. >> we are joined by air force reserve lieutenant colonel eric egland. tell us how your group is different from the organizations out there.

>> its is a great day to is think about what we can do as americans. the government is doing a lot, but how to mobilize the american people. there are lots of opportunities to make a direct impact. i was going out on patrol as an adviser and seeing a lot of times the troops did not have the things they needed for their mission. what if all that time, energy, money was channeled into mission-essential supplies and equipment? when i came home, i started

speaking to local groups. how do we go beyond the bumper sticker and a care package? they did not feel like they had a great opportunity to make a difference. that was the birth of troops need you. how the american people can get directly involved. host: did the folks some examples of your overseas efforts. >> it boils down to three categories. one is relationship building supplies, we are following a counterinsurgency model. the key to counterinsurgency is different than traditional warfare. you are trying to influence the population. ultimately, you are trying to influence the population. things like medical supplies to start a clinic or deliver a

first aid kits, water purification systems, medical supplies, school supplies, sports equipment. one example is in south baghdad, we had a combat unit that -- their last medical clinic and had shut down. the iraqi doctor was not driving a taxi cab because they did not have any supplies. we got connected with it that units. we have medical experts who organized the shipment and are able to deliver all the medical supplies they needed. the critical part -- it has a nice feel good sound to it, but it is operational and critical. the al qaeda in iraq had set up a clinic and they were helping the locals. they were winning influence and this was in south baghdad. we had nine troops who were killed and a few were captured. this is a highly contested area.

those medical supplies were able to open that clinic and get our troops back on good footing with the local population. host: if you want to talk with eric egland, give us a call. we still have that special line this morning for veterans. how do you go about doing this? are you working within the military channels? chaldea physically get the supplies to the place is -- how do you physically get the supplies to the places they need to go? guest: it is a listening-based approach. we listen to the combat units on

the ground. you have them tell us what they need it rather than going through the hierarchy may think they know better than the guys on the ground. host: how do you reach out? does the pentagon allow you to get in touch with different units? give us more of a sense of how the organization find out exactly what is needed. guest: a lot of people reach out to us. we really do that. we do not go through official channels. we follow all regulations, but -- unfortunately, there is a bureaucratic mind-set that sets and where the higher echelons that live in the palaces and they are doing important jobs, but they do not really know exactly what these units on the ground. we go directly to those units, and that is my background.

i spent 20 years and the defense and intelligence community. one unit contacted us and said, we are setting up a remote outpost in remote afghanistan. even for afghanistan, this was right near the pakistan border. they were getting a lot of enemy activity. they said, we do not have any primitive security. -- parameters security. that actually used those to get pictures of the taliban that were moving around the perimeter at night because they could not see them with night vision goggles. so the cameras get pictures and video clips of these guys moving around. all of a sudden they go from

seeing shadows that night to getting pictures of what these guys look like. host: have you seen any increase in the pentagon's abilities to give the troops what they need? has there been any attempt to keep those care packages from gathering dust? guest: everybody is trying as hard as they can. winning wars or prosecuting wars overseas is the ultimate complexity. what we have more of an olive nation? nobody is perfect. we should do an all-country effort. the unit said, this is perfect.

this is what we needed. i got a name out that said they use these to stop rocket attacks -- got an e-mail. you have to have a door or an address. state repositioned the cameras toward the village -- they repositioned the cameras toward the village. they went right to the door. no more rocket attacks. this could be the first time a private group helped stop rocket attacks. every unit has unique needs. we don't delivered tanks. it is well-suited to bullets,

vehicles, and things. electronics, equipment. that was the gap that i saw when i was out there. i go as a volunteer. i am a career military guy. this is my chance to get a sense of what these troops need and then to deliver. host: nicky is a veteran in new orleans. caller: hi. we're trying to start a nonprofit ourselves. we're calling it our soldiers keepers. my husband was a combat engineer. he was in a coma.

the spouses have been pretty much ignored. many of us have had to taken over roles when our spouses or injured. there is a lot more males now in that role. they are taking over for a veteran wife. i would like his comments on what he thinks the troops would need and what our services need. assistance in ways of computers and other technology that a lot of spouses are now going to have to use. they are becoming the primary caretakers. guest: thank you for all you do to support your husband in his recovery. what you're doing is great.

this is the american spirit at work. i encourage you in your efforts. we have a homefront operation. it boils down to three categories. we focus on the severely wounded veterans at walter reed, for belfort, and other hospitals are run the country -- fort belvoir. a lot of veterans request groceries. a soldier gets wounded and his income balls down to gi benefits to go to school. in terms of money in his pocket, you're va disability --

your v.a. disability and social security. they are on a fixed income and they have young kids or they would like to start a family. you can assume the needs are farther up the food chain. we supported a family of command that lost three limbs. he is a married father of four. we got him a specialized laptop. his son made a leap and destroyed the laptop. he wants to finish his degree in cybersecurity. he has an intention lined up. these folks are trying to move forward.

they sometimes have unique needs. we also do weddings. we support troops with their mission. when you are returned and wounded and healing, that mission is moving forward with your life. what you're doing is great. find out what the needs are. let us know how we can help. host: we have a reaction from jim on twitter. do you get that kind of reaction? guest:yeah. yeah. i started this five years ago. i make reservist -- i am a

reservist. there is a marine unit that had 100 families. the water is so contaminated they could not get good water. they built a pumping station but allocated and iraq -- but al qaeda and iraq blew it up. let's get these water purification systems and put them in the house of the family. that changes the equation. if somebody tries to take it from them, they will support us.

that is an example of an innovative approach. i was hoping at the beginning we would do more mission test essential equipment and government would adjust and overcome that. i'm getting more requests for mission essential equipment. this is a cell phone interceptor. this is requested by special forces in afghanistan. we're shipping them right now. when you go on patrol and you go into a village in contested territory, you end up -- the whole world can see you coming when she moved over the ridge line.

special forces teams are getting cut into smaller and smaller groups. let's say you have six of these devices. then you take your teams and turn them into eight teams because you try to cover more ground. "we'll send you into a less contested village." this is all contested territory. i want the guy i am working with to get the kind of support. it underlines the need for american people to get involved. host: they will get in touch with you through the website. we have a question on twitter.

guest: people send care packages and put a lot of candy in them. you can put socks and soap and some candy and things. host: that are always needed? guest: not really. the care packages go to folks on the big bases in the palaces. we're talking steak and lobster dinners once a week. you have everything you need. maybe some comfort food. we're doing a great job of supplying the troops on a large bases. a lot of times the care packages and up collecting dust. host: jesse from louisiana. caller: good morning.

i appreciate your service. i got with the red tails. i like to speak kilobit about care of our servicemen -- i would like to speak a little bit about care of our servicemen. we could relieve a few minor problems such as fatigue, pain, relation, etc. you have points on the hand and the feed and the body -- feet

the you can manipulate and relieved certain systems in your body such as your bladder, your liver, etc., to start functioning. host: do you deal on the medical side? guest: we have not done operations like that. it is interesting to get to know these severely wounded troops. thank you for your service. we need to give our healing veterans more access to. i have gotten to know a number of these veterans personally. i think we could modify the

system to empower the troops. we say, what do you need? i want to know what you say you need. it is the same thing when you're healing. i have met with doctors who would love to help the wounded veterans but it is a nightmare bureaucratically if they're not part of the v.a. infrastructure. why couldn't we offer tax credits? then they get access to things like you mentioned, reflexology. let the troops have access to and understand the difference opportunist that they have and let them pick what works for them. these exposes come out. this is front-page news because the bureaucracy was trying to stop us from helping the veterans. once it came out, everybody went into damage control mode.

"we're sorry." it is bigger than that. it is not what the american spirit is all about. i am a big fan of the ideas that you're talking about, jesse. host: here is a picture of you getting a hug after you delivered a large screen television from the troops need you. the work you did was featured from walter reed. we have a question from bill on twitter. guest: i like it because it is a flag pin but done in the same style as we wear our uniforms.

we delivered some furniture. we had thrown them a wedding. moving forward with their lives sometimes means throwing a wedding. "i want to marry and move forward with my life." josh did not have the money. we have volunteers fly out from the west coast. there were so excited. they went to walter reed and started meeting these folks and found out about josh and katie. we were or if -- we worked with a bridal store.

he doesn't have the money to fly in. the nail salon, the flowers. we were able to throw them a wedding. the chaplain was struck when i explained we were able to pull this off. he said, right now i can name the 12 wounded veterans that would love to marry their long time sweethearts. host: how many people are involved in troops need you? give us a size of the organization. guest: we have supported thousands of troops overseas and hundreds of troops on the home front. what makes it possible is the

generosity of everyday americans. we have about 50,000 people who have donated or volunteered provided time and money. host: troopsneedyou.com. guest: that is right, troopsneedyou.com. caller: i appreciate what you're doing for the troops. i have concerns about what you're doing on the operational side. there are things like rapid technical transition that should be followed when you're introducing geared to a soldier or sell your that has to be incorporated with the support -- to a soldier or sailor. they are already carrying 40 to

50 pounds. i am retired navy. there is a process in place. helping the silver with a wedding, that is fine -- and a soldier out with a wedding. host: do you run into these concerns? guest: thank you for your service. those are the billion dollar programs, to deploy a massive

communications systems with a freight headquarters or inside a vehicle. that is a different scale that only a large organization can do. i totally respect that. echinus touches on a mindset that says there's already a process in place. i will go more basic than the radio signal interceptor. how about gps or body armor? those are the things with the lot of requests for. is not because people don't have body armor. they took all the body armor from iraq and moved it over to afghanistan. the body armor in iraq is what i would refer to as the michelin man current the marshmallow man. you could have a massive body armor kit on you. if your in afghanistan at 15,000 feet, walking up and down

valleys and trying to move on foot. we have deployed the modern body armor to units that have not got it. the same with gps. we had gps for special forces. they were the same ones issued in 2003. they have gps, but it is broken. host: does it incorporate their gps in the current system? guest: i am not going to sit around and not let these guys have gps. in afghanistan, there are times you would rather have gps than anything. there are not roads in some places. you need this type of support. to say there is a process in place, and get this. sometimes you will have someone

at a certain level say we do not need this and this is taken care. tell that to the dark on the ground who says i need this. because of my background, i am able to verify these things and validate these requirements. we do not just send stuff because someone sends us an e- mail. it is interesting to see the mindset from headquarters and the bureaucracies that say they do that. maybe it on a briefing it's as you do that, but the guys are on the ground are not getting it. we will get it there faster and quicker and let a large organization catch up. host: we have about 15 minutes left with eric egland from troops need you. the next call is on the independent line. caller: to add on to the last comment, why do the service men who have been discharged and

are now homeless put in a position to decide what is needed for the troops? that is to out on to what was just said. service members provide service that lasts a lifetime. when they come back home and apply for benefits, they're told the benefits only last for tenor 15 years. these benefits should be put into lhasa they never expire saw a person does not have to worry about it or fight with officials in offices that have no clue. it should be mandatory that somebody who was in the service

has the ability to go to school after 25 years when he wants to go to school. it should be freedom of choice. freedom has been taken away by legislation. host: the couple of questions. start with his first. guest: we have done that. it is a great idea. we have healing veterans. we have found projects they can work on that help us with our overseas mission. they are able to use their expertise. we're able to pay them. it works out great. employment-wise, it is more project-oriented. we have a couple of employees, but we do mostly project work and independent contractors. it is amazing what you can get done with a few clicks of the mouse in getting connected to units. we are extremely lean. that is one thing i emphasize.

sometimes programs grow. they start off great focus on their mission. eventually incrementally it becomes about a program instead of the mission. we stay mission-focused on that. another example is something like this. this is a laser pointer. what we were seeing in iraq -- this is a powerful laser pointer. we were in iraq as a counter- terrorism adviser. we found a unit where a guy had gotten one of these. this is about $200. they were using them to warn oncoming vehicles. one of the biggest problems was that iraqi drivers were not seen the check points. the troops were having to open fire. they are not attackers, they just do not see it.

it is chaotic driving out there. the troops come up with great ideas, but the bureaucracy is not responsive. that is an idea he came up with. it was brilliant. it was part of my job to say let's get this in. we went to the equipment force. they said the assessment center has to look at it to make sure it will integrate with everything else and to the safety check. that is fine. i had to follow up with this. six months later, they said we are rejecting it. we will not by those for the trips. they said the laser pointer is not eye safe. if you held about two inches away from your eye for one minute, it could damage your eye. obviously nobody is doing that. this is for combat reality. you are putting this through a window instead of killing them

and the family. it is the mindset that is not responsive to listening to what the troops say they need where we step up. we need an organization founded by the private sector so we can be much more responsive to these needs. host: a comment on twitter. they say that the troops know what they need and what they need is often less costly than what is provided. guest: that is true. they know what they need for their particular mission. there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. you need an infrastructure for radio communication across afghanistan. that is costly, before.

reason. we had a unit. this will go back to people wondering why the government is not taking care of this. they are for the large requirements. we had a unit contact us in afghanistan. they said they did not have showers. they ordered a shower. they paid $100,000 for a shower trailer. six months later, they still do not have it because it does not get delivered. all kinds of bureaucratic excuses for why they do not have it. this is what they did. they took a porta-potti and cut a hole in the roof, ripped out the guts, put an igloo cooler on top, and that was the shower. i found a business that made them.

they said they do not ship them. i had to go into my intelligence training to get him to give me a straight answer. at the end he said it is on the gsa schedule. the gsa is the government catalog of everything you can buy. you can buy these showers for afghanistan through the gsa schedule. on the schedule, they charge about five times more than you or i could buy them as a private citizen. that is an example of it being cheaper. i called them back. i got a different sales person. i said i need to order three field showers and ship them to me here. we then repacked them and ship

them out. we got them to afghanistan. it took an extra three days because of shipping. host: how do you know the gear you ship does not get confiscated? guest: we get confirmation they got it. we usually send out a little at a time and make sure it works, that they got it, that is what they need. then we refine from there. as far as the military condoning, what is this mindset that the government has to approve everything a citizen does? we obey and comply with regulations. we do not ship things you are not allowed to ship. one thing where units can get in trouble is when they get this, they need to put it on their receipts so it becomes property of the unit. if someone takes it home with them, that is a violation of

the joint ethics regulations. people standing up and getting this. we have been doing this throughout our history from the revolutionary war. people identify gaps and say they can help to fill that. we need to rekindle the spirit of america. host: let's go to katherine on the democratic line from ohio. caller: thank you so much for c-span. i am probably one of your biggest supporters. i have a two-fold question this morning. my son-in-law and daughter were

married. he went to somalia. in 911, he reenlisted. he did a one-year tour in iraq. he was home for a short time. he did a 15-month tour. then he did a second 15-month tour in iraq. when he came back, he is not the same man. he had never been physically injured, but mentally he is not the same man. he and my daughter are now divorced. they have two children. my question is concerning my grandkids. their needs have never been met. their father has been home from the military. in august, it will be five years. they have both asked to use his educational benefits. because he is not the same man he used to be, he has refused to allow his children to use his

educational benefits. do they have any other recourse? can they go over his head? can something be done? host: is that something you know about? guest: i would call the local veterans administration directly and explain the situation. for people entitled to benefits, there are recourses for the if someone is incapable or unwilling to initiate the process there are work arounds to do that. i wish you the best of luck. it touches on the larger issue. war is hell. it is really tough. the toll it takes on people and their extended family when they come home, it is really tough. maybe we can start fewer wars. i think that would be good. troops need you will be there to help with whatever it is. host: let's go to charlie on

the line. caller: i worked with marines. i can see they could use equipment like this. all of the troops can use different equipment. i belong to the church. we have been sending care packages with postage for $500 for 75 packages. if we knew what equipment the troops needed or wanted, we would have sent that it probably in smaller amounts, but none the less there. i am reading a book called "eating soup with a knife." this book talks about what the colonel is saying. the higher echelon dictates what they think the troops need. it is not what happens on the ground. as far as helping troops coming

home healing, many of the churches would be willing to do this if there is a way to recruit your outfit to come to danville, we would like to have a kernel come and speak to several churches and our area that do this kind of work. host: col. egland, i will give you a chance to comment on that. guest: thank you for your service and what you are doing in your community and church. the church network has been phenomenal from my church to church is always around the country who see this. they are already doing efforts to help. they say this sounds like something where i can really

make a difference in someone's mission overseas or the healing process at home. that is my dream, to have folks getting on board and channeling. if you are going to spend the time, money, and energy, you want it to make a difference. i have done that across the country speaking to groups and helping people understand. you can send me an e-mail. troopsneedyou@gmail.com. get in touch. i would love to collaborate. host: troopsneedyou.com. guest: with counterinsurgency, it is a bottom-up form of warfare as opposed to conventional conflicts where you need to command from the top down. it is a different mindset. in afghanistan especially, general petraeus' model,

insurgents need three things. they need time, people, and a safe haven. they have all three of those in afghanistan and pakistan. counterinsurgency four things. they need legitimate national authority, a sense of national identity - an adviser said there are no afghan people. he said there are no afghan people except in kabul, but only because it pays so well. it means is so tribally the verse, it would be difficult to get anyone who represents a national identity. doing counterinsurgency, if you need infrastructure they do not have. you need a troop ratio. 100,000 troops and 10 more years would not change that.

we are 0 for 7 on the factors needed to succeed in the counterinsurgency environment. >> on "washington journal" tomorrow morning, carmichael still, the author of become the candidate will discuss the dynamics of who runs for office and why. or call this series with chicago tribune columnist clarence page. "washington journal" is live on c-span every day at 7:00 a.m. senator olympia snowe recently delivered the community -- commencement address. she spoke about the political

climate in washington d.c. and talked-about candidates that support consensus building. >> this is my final graduation speech as your united states center. i am deeply gratified by the response. trusties, members of the faculty, parents, and above all, but class of 2012. [cheers and applause] as you graduate today from this exceptional university, congratulations on a job well done. [applause] i am profoundly grateful to the university of southern maine for bestowing on me this on a rare degree, and to join with such a distinguished group of honorees being recognized at this very auspicious ceremony. graduates, here you are, after

all the classes, the studying, the late night, last-minute cramming -- not that any of you did that, of course. this is your reward, a speech from a politician. [laughter] but don't worry. what graduations are special occasions, they need not be eternal. my philosophy is commencement speech should be shorter and the college career that preceded it. i get the message. i am very cognizant of the fact that i stand between you and those diplomas. but in all seriousness, it is truly a pleasure for me to be here, especially as so many graduates have served with distinction as members of my staff both here in maine, as well as in washington. not to mention my niece and got daughters are proud graduates of

u.s. them. as you prepare to go fourth, remember you always carry with you the remarkable education and experiences you receive here at u.s. them -- at usm do you have earned it, you worked hard for it, and this they truly belongs to you. [applause] it also occurred to me that you and i do share a common bond. we are broken arriving at a moment of washington change in our live. although admittedly your change is arriving at a slightly younger age than mine. you are about to leave here having earned her degree from an institution that has been named a best in the northeast college by the princeton review. congratulations. [applause]

meanwhile, as you may have heard, and about to enter a new phase after nearly four years in elected office. although these days is fair to say the institution i am graduating from does not have quite a stellar reputation of usm. even as we span generations in decades between my command and in yours, what is not dissimilar the questions and uncertainties, those that confronted my classmates and me, and those who undoubtedly -- those who have given the monumental challenges that converge upon our nation and the world. and they are decidedly evocative of the magnitude of those we face as young men and women in the tumultuous era of the late 1960's. all of which is a roundabout way of saying i have been in your

shoes. we are here is a common thread that i would like to share with you today. it has enabled me to seize opportunities in the midst of diversity and that frankly has made all the difference throughout my own life. that is, i just never expected from other restricted myself to the idea that there are things i could not do if i pursued them. no matter the circumstances, i just never take no for an answer, and i still don't. just ask my colleagues in the u.s. senate, or my staff, for that matter. i have always believed that anything is possible, and i feel that way not only about my personal life, but also the life of our nation, that embracing it spirit of can do, not cannot do, speaks to the best of america and americans. and it will serve you well throughout your own professional, personal, and civic lives. i know what your thinking.

that is easy for her to say. when i was graduating, and had no idea whatsoever that i would become a united states senator. i never truly put together a resume, and look what happened to me? a life in politics. but seriously, at a very young age, both of my parents had -- my father of a greek immigrant, my mother first generation american, died before i was 10 years old. my mother had passed away first, so my father was compelled to make a very wrenching decision to send me to a greek orthodox institution in upstate new york . >> class than the year later, my father died. as you can imagine with this enormous upheaval, i could have easily retreated into a personal cocoon of despair. at the time, that option seemed like an odd on favorite. but somehow i realized there was no acceptable alternative but to

overcome the obstacles that had descended on me. that was somewhere between the ages of 10 and 11, was taking the train by myself between school in new york and maine where my aunt and uncle had brought me into their family. amazingly, train connections would sometimes relegate me to sleeping overnight on the bench in grand central station, but i did it, not that i recommend it. as i increasingly demonstrated maturity and responsibility, i was entrusted with the care of other children, helping assure them to their trains before finding my way to my own. are realized early in life that i had two choices, ivar allow myself to become overwhelming tragedy or learn something from it. thanks to strong role models and influences, was positioned to view my setbacks as temporary, not permanent.

not just to survive but to thrive. i learned an indictable lesson that can also serve all of you welker out your own lives. that is, when we find ourselves outside our comfort zone, is there we discover the heights to which we can rise. it is a lesson that reemerge for me once again, this time in my mid-20's. my first husband was serving in the main house of representatives. i was serving on the auburn board of voter registration. one day while i was at work, i received depressing news that a husband had been killed in a car accident on his way back from a session in the legislature. at 26 years old, i was left to build a life for myself once again. and the pollen weeks, friends and political leaders began urging me to run in a special

election for my husband's seat. while i had not exactly been considering facing an election in the midst of all this emotional turmoil, i realized i had arrived at yet another crossroads where i could either withdraw from the world or determine how to make a positive out of a terrible negative. by virtue of having earned a political science degree and other campus, combined with a strong passion for serving others that had developed a my own earlier experiences in -- i ultimately decided to run, and i won. when i was sitting where you are, little could i have known that a 40-year journey in elected office would commence just four years after my own graduation from college pocket core with a horrific event that could have been in for me, rather than a new beginning.

but the seeds of opportunity are often buried in the fertile soil that lies beneath the half service of pain. i just want to reassure you by reaffirming it is absolutely possible to distilled from from adversity. i believe it can work for you in your own life journey. it is not a question of whether you will encounter difficulties in life. it is really a question of how you confront them that counts. the thing -- this same is true for our country today. we had a nation divided. neighbor against neighbor, even child against parent. but america, where 55,000 would

die in vietnam, shaking a nation silently to its core, a time of massive demonstrations and riots that challenge the status quo at every turn. with the growing in profound distrust of government. fast forward to today, in 2012, and is also a turbulent world, with the long shadows of september 11 casting a specter, where we just concluded a decade-long war in iraq, thanks to our brave men and women who served there and continue to serve in afghanistan. [applause] they are on the front lines each and every day with their extraordinary sacrifices, denying terrorist a sanctuary in afghanistan, and we can never,

ever repay the debt of gratitude that we owe them, but we can never, ever forget it. we were also grappling with the aftermath of financial systems run amok that have destabilize banks, the housing market, and the jobs market, and produced the worst economic crisis since the great depression that has resulted in the week is post recession recovery ever. history teaches us just when we began to doubt what is still possible, given the crucible of corrosive events, just when we think the night is at its darkest, that is when we summon the collective and legendary american can-do spirit and shined brightest. a spirit that has defined as since the founding fathers put pen to paper to draft the declaration of independence. let there be no mistake. washington has an obligation to

set america on the right course for you, the next generation. we have a duty to make it right. you have a right to demand that your government works for you. and drawing inspiration from the heights we have reached in the past, even in the face of apparel, we can make it right. we can secure our economic primacy at home and abroad by ensuring that the finding jobs in the 21st century are created right here for you on american soil. that is the pathway forward for america and for you. just last month, "time" magazine labeled our current economic status the wimpy recovery. we should not be willing to

accept it will be recovery. that is not the american people's vision for america. i notice cannot your vision, and certainly not mine. frankly, it should be a long overdue call to arms for our nation's leaders in washington. regrettably, that call has not yet been answered. in fact, one notable congressional observer recently labeled our current congress as the worst congress ever. but i can tell you from my nearly four decades in public service, it does not have to be this way. and it should not be this way. what it will require, however, is the commitment to solving problems, rather than perpetuating political absolutes. [applause] the kind of abel -- absolute so

prevalent today that drive political wedges that stand between us and our ability to achieve great things during this consequential moment in the life of our nation. and disturbingly, those which is now prevail in the united states senate. the institution originally designed to encourage consensus building, where the rules require a 60 votes to pass legislation. indeed, her reading the political divide has always been his means of attaining critical and sustainable solution for america throughout its storied history. just think about it. " the landmark legislation establishing social security, the civil rights act, the voting rights act, medicare, it is woven into the fabric of our nation . >> if -- did they pass along purely partisan lines? it is not even conceivable. that were passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both the u.s. house of

representatives and the united states senate. and that is the way it should be. [applause] yet what i call the sensible center, or as some now describe it, the vanishing center, has regrettably diminished in congress, leaving us with a political era defined by the all or nothing proposition, let's do everything to advance political agendas for the next election and nothing to advance the common good for the next generation. [applause] what we have to show for it? for one thing comic-con we have 9% -- for one thing, we have an 9% approval rating in congress. one of my colleagues that i wonder who exactly is that 9 percent fun? recently, one scholar wrote, i

think we have to go back to the 1850's to find a time of congressional this function like the one we are in today. the result in her legislative deadlock in congress fuelled by refusal to work across the political aisle to the very challenges that will dictate the quality of our future. it is not bipartisanship for the sake of bipartisanship. it is bipartisanship for the sake of our country. [applause] that is why i came to an extraordinarily difficult conclusion, that i would not seek election to a fourth term in the united states senate. in doing so, to paraphrase robert frost, i chose the road less traveled for me. having run 14 elections in the past four years, and now i am going to test out the

proposition that selecting that pathe will make all the different spirit is not often that someone 65 years old -- at my age, there is enough of that already. i think you know what i mean. but let me be clear. the political polarization can be diminished over the long term, which is why i will continue to work to change the system, only now from outside the united states kellen it. -- from mt. sac the united states senate -- outside the united states senate. [applause] however, that change will only occur when american support and vote for individuals who will follow -- who will follow the principles of consensus building.

i intend to speak out to encourage that kind of political reward at the ballot box and give voice to those who believe as i do, that we can and that we must return to stability in government, driven by a common purpose to work together to fulfill the promise that is unique to america. [applause] as the leaders of tomorrow, encourage all of you to champion those:-- those to chart a course in public life, and indeed, to follow that path in your own life, because 14 real solutions, whether in our government or communities, or even a dent our own families, can only happen when we are willing to take the risk of working on with each other, not against each other. [applause] which brings us back to perhaps

the most unexampled of the fruits of the collaborative spirit, back to 225 years ago, when 55 strong-willed and opinionated leaders from divergent philosophical backgrounds met in the city of philadelphia to forge a document that we all revere and cherish today, the united states constitution. those delegates to the constitutional convention opened where no shrinking violets. at risk their lives and their fortunes in to establish a new nation, founded on the principle of freedom. when they disagree and argued about a great many matters, both petty and consequential. yet in september 1787, 39 of the original delegates find most enduring and the most ingenious governing document the world has ever known, the constitution of the united states of america.

it did not happen because 55 people who feared a venable viewpoint gathered in a room and rubber stamps unanimous thinking. it happen because these visionaries determined that the gravity and the enormity of their common goals necessitated the courage to enhance decision making for a consensus, and in so doing, changed course of human events. the to of view and the class of 2012, and the world of the next few decades will be your world. the opportunity is yours as well as the challenges. if you leave here today, never forget that our most pressing problem, that all spheres of life can be surmountable if we refuse to be intractable. refuse to be intractable.