i am delighted to introduce general joseph votel. [applause] very much. it is great to be here, john. thank you for the invitation to be here. thank you for your flexibility in scheduling. i have a smile when i came up here. i gave a speech in new york as a part of my responsibilities as a business executive for natural -- national security. it was a dark and heavily paneled room. i was speaking from a podium and i asked my staff, "make sure there is a light there. but it isks good, broke. i need a light." to myw that translated staff as "get a light from the guy."- from this thank you very much. it is great to be here. i know there are a number of that former colleagues in the audience. i see representatives from the diplomatic corps here, fellow partners. inks for being here. paul salem -- thanks for being here. variety of and a others from the department of defense and other places. -- is a john leah in the audience? i had a few words for him, but i will hold out on that. 11th --oming up on my 11 month anniversary of my retirement from the military. i