of children that have lost a parent and that the day as he walked through the crowd of some 600 goldstarhave would have to make their way without a father or mother. he planned to speak but he couldn't. it's a he did one of those things that he does best. he began to sing. and in that moment the highest ranking military leader of the nation forged a bond with those children. boys and girls who ask such a tender age had given up so much in a way that perhaps no one else could. year after year they've invited him back because they know he will always give everything he has, his voice but even more, his full heart and soul. this is the man we honor today. a friend to so many troops and families across the military, patriot but a profound love for the country and those that sacrifice, it trusted if trusted leader that in a time of great change made it matter of time -- all the time. i am grateful to have him by side to the bulk of my presidency and i'm extraordinarily proud to call him my friend. for your lifetime of extraordinary service, you have the deepest thanks of the grateful nation.

and that they as he walked through the crowd, some 600 goldstar kids, young, so full of hope, he beganto make their way without a father or a mother. and marty had planned to speak, but he couldn't. so we did one of the things that he does best. he began to sing. and in that moment the highest-ranking military leader in our nation forged a bond with those children, boys and girls who, at such a tender age, had given up so much, in a way that perhaps nobody else could. and year after year they have been fighting back, because they don't marty dempsey will always give him everything he has, his voice, but even more, his whole heart and soul. this is the man we honor today. a friend to so many troops and families across our military, a patriot with a profound love for our country and those who sacrifice for it, i trusted leader who in a time of great change made it matter all the time. i am extraordinarily grateful to have had him by my side through the bulk of my presidency, and i'm extraordinarily proud to call him my friend. marty, for lifetime of extraordinary service, you have the de