constitution, old ironside herself, was brought in for repairs during the war of 1812. the navy yard manufactured the mammoth 16-inch guns atop the decks of our world war ii battleships. and here, scientists and engineers fashioned the optical components that made possible the great accuracy of those guns. and so it is fitting indeed that the president announces a new initiative to put the muscle and intellect of a new generation of veterans to work again. many of these young people have served five, six, even seven tours in combat. some of them suffer from serious wounds, seen and unseen. all of them want the chance to pursue the same dreams every other american pursues. i think back to a young man i met in los angeles a couple of years ago. he fought in afghanistan, was fresh out of the army, unemployed, and homeless. he told me, i gave my country 100%. all i ask for is 100% in return. that doesn't seem like too much to ask, a job and education, a roof over your head, food on the table. what our troops need when they come home is more than yellow ribbons, parades, and

not far from where we gather, the uss constitution, all ironside herself, was brought in for repairs during the war of 1812. the navy yard manufactured the 16-inch guns that bristled atop a deck of our world war ii battleships. and here, as scientists and engineers fashion at the components that made possible the great accuracy of those guns. it is fitting indeed that here today, the president announces a new initiative to put the muscle and sinew and intellect of the new generation of veterans to work again. many of these young people have served five and six and even seven it tours in combat. some of them suffer from serious wounds seen and unseen. all of them want a chance to pursue the same dreams as every other american pursues. i think back to a young man i met in those angeles a couple of years ago. he fought in afghanistan, fresh out of the army, unemployed and homeless. he told me, "i gave my country 100%. all i ask for is 100% in return a." that does not seem like too much to ask -- a job, education, a roof over your head, food on the table. what our troops need when they c