miller. rob's legacy of selfless and sacrificial service never be forgotten and may we never cease to live our lives worthy of such noble patriots as rob miller. may we remain forever grateful for the members of our armed services, both past and present, whose courage and commitment have kept our nation, the land of the free and the home of the brave. now may your divine favor and eternal wisdom rest upon our president and our leaders as they lead and serve our great country. bless our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and guardians. bless the families who serve alongside them, especially those who have lost loved ones in battle. god, finally we ask your continued blessings on the united states of america. we pray this in your holy name, amen. >> we are watching the president alongside the family of staff sergeant rob miller who was just awarded the medal of honor to his family, green beret, for his heroism in afghanistan. president obama honored the courage and selfless sacrifice of staff sergean

. >> president obama marked the ninth year of war by honoring 24-year-old staff seargeant rob miller, who died two years ago defending his comrades against insurgents in a cold afghan valley. >> they heard his voice. he had been hit. but still he kept calling out enemy positions. >> his parents said miller believed in the mission. >> he believed he was working for a good cause. >> but nine years and 1,200 lives later, critics say it is time to refocus america's $100 billion-a-year investment away from insurgents and back to al qaeda. >> we can start to not be spending money again on the war. >> the white house reports pakistan's military is backing off direct conflict with the taliban and al qaeda. now there is word the taliban is in talks with afghanistan's government, possibly to end this war. the u.s. pullout is supposed to begin next summer. the beginning of year 10 offers

rob miller endures in the service of his teammates., bled with him, and fought to bring him home. these soldiers embody the spirit that guides our troops in afghanistan every day. the courage, the resolve, the relentless focus on their mission to break the momentum of the taliban insurgency and to build the capacity of afghans to defend themselves and to make sure that afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terrorists who would attack our country. that is their mission. that is our mission. and that is what we will do. and i would ask rob's team, who were with him that day, to stand and be recognized. [ applause ] finally, rob miller and all those who give their lives in our name endure in each of us. every american is safer because of their service and every american has a duty to remember and honor their sacrifice. if we do, if we keep their legacy alive, if we keep faith with the freedoms they died to defend, then we can imagine a day decades from now when another child sits down at his desk, ponders the true meaning of heroism

for rob miller the testing point came nearly three years ago, deep in a snowy afghan valley. ge he displayed that day reflects every virtue that defined his life. rob was wise beyond his years, growing up in wheaton, illinois, outside of chicago, he was the boy in school who penned a poem about american gi's in world war ii. men, like the soldier rob would become himself, who he said fought day and night, fighting for what they thought was right. rob was born to lead. the high school gymnast who trained so hard, his coach had to kick him out at night so they could close the gym, he was the army recruit who pushed himself to his limits both physically and mentally to eastern the title green beret. he was the special forces soldier who on his first tour in afghanistan earned two army commendation medals for his valor. devotion to duty, and abiding sense of honor, a profound love of country, these were the virtues that found their ultimate expression when rob, just 24 years old, and on his second tour, met his testing point on january 25th, 2008. rob and his team were in the remo

disregard for his own safety -- >> president obama marked the ninth year by honoring staff sergeant rob miller who died defending his comrades against insurgents. >> they heard his voice. he had been hit. still he kept calling out enemy positions. >> his parents said miller believed in the mission. >> he believed he was working for a good cause. >> but nine years and 1200 lives later, critics said it's time to refocus america's $100 billion a year investment back to al qaeda. >> we can start not spending money. >> pakistan's military is backing off direct conflict with the taliban and al qaeda. now there is word that they are in talks with afghanistan's government, possibly to end this war. the u.s. pull out is supposed to begin next summer. analysts say the beginning of year 10 offers a new opportunity. >> now is the time to give the strategy a last chance fchl it doesn't work, it's time for a back up plan. >> what are is that plan? a letter from president obama said for now there is no reason to change the war strategy. in washington, tracie potts, today in the bay. >> a kern county man is t

president obama marked the ninth year of war by honoring 24-year-old staff sergeant rob miller, who died two years a defending his comrades against insurgents. >> they heard his voice. he had been hit. but still he kept calling out enemy positions. >> reporter: his parents said miller believed in the mission. >> he believed he was working for a good cause. >> reporter: but nine years and 1200 lives later, critics say it's time to refocus america's $100 billion year investment away from insurgents, and back to al qaeda. >> we can start to not be spending money again. >> reporter: the white house reports pakistan's mitary is backing off direct conflict with the taliban, and al qaeda. and now there's word the taliban's in talks with afghanistan's government, possibly to end this war. the u.s. pullout is supposed to begin next summer. analysts say the begning of year ten offers a new opportunity. >> now is the time to give the new strategy one last chance. and if this one doesn't work, it's time for a backup plan. >> reporter: but what is that plan? a letter from president obama accompanying

when the enemy just eats away some so close he could see their faces, rob held his ground. >> reporter: he told a story how sergeant millerad went above and beyond the call of duty. >> rob moved in the other direction, toward the enemy. drawing their guns away from his team and bringing the fire of all those insurgents down on himself. >> reporter: earlier in the day in wheaton where miller attended elementary school, students and friends held a memorial. >> our sergeant miller is a valiant, courageous hero. >> reporter: the mayor of wheaton talked about how important real heros are. not phony ones, but role models the youngsters can follow. >> the account of the january 2008 day in afghanistan gives us pause to reflect on what honor, courage, and determination he demonstrated. >> they dedicating a plaque in his honor. ♪ for amber waves of gray >> reporter: being called a true american hero, sergeant miller is survived by his family. wgn news. >>> in a state that doesn't have money, the governor running for office found some albeit for a worthy cause. steering kids away from guns and gangs. >> it's important all of us in

for rob miller, the testing point came nearly 3 years ago. deep in a snowy afghan valley. the courage he displayed they day reflects every virtue of his life. he moved to their direction, toward the enemy, drawing the guns away from his team and bring the fire of the insurgents upon him. >> this is the third time, by the way, president obama has presented the medal of honor. >>> an emotional day of the u.s. supreme court. members of the controversial kansas church want the court to rule on whether protesting military funerals is protected free speech under the 1st amendment. tom fitzgerald has more. >> reporter: the family of matthew snider said the day they buried him was going to be the worst day of their lives but they also say that it was a day made worse when members of the small westborough baptist church picketed the funeral. the 9 justices of the u.s. supreme court took up the issue of whether protests are in the church's first amendment free speech right. they claim the death of military personnel are good's revenge against america for sip or homosexuality -- and

for rob miller, the testing point came nearly three years ago, deep in a snowy afghan valley. nd his years. growing up in wheaten, illinois, outside of chicago, he was the boy in school who penned a poem about american gis in world war ii, men like the soldier rob would become himself, who he said fought day and night, fighting for what they thought was right. rob was born to lead. the high school gymnast who trained so hard, his coach had to kick him out at night so they could close the gym. he was the army recruit who pushed himself to his limits, physically and mentally, to earn the title green beret. he was the special forces soldier who, on his first tour in afghanistan, earned two army commendation medals for his valor. devotion to duty, an abiding sense of honor, a profound love of country. these were the virtus that found their ultimate expression when rob, just 24 years old and on his second tour, met his testing point on january 25th, 2008. rob and his team were in the remote northwest of afghanistan. their mission, clear a valley of insurgents who had been attacking

> reporter: president obama marked the ninth year of war by honoring 24-year-old staff sergeant rob miller who died two years ago defending his comrades against insurgents. >> they heard his voice. he had been hit. but still he kept calling out enemy positions. >> reporter: his parents said miller believed in the mission. >> he believed he was working for a good cause. >> reporter: but nine years and 1200 lives later, crits say it's time to refocus america's $100 billion a year investment away from insurgents, and back to al qaeda. >> we can start to not be spending money again. >> reporter: the white house reports pakistan's militaris backing off direct conflt with the taliban, and al qaeda. and now there's word the taliban's in talks with afghanistan's government, possibly to end this war. the u.s. pullout is supped to begin next summer. analysts say the beginning of year ten offers a new opportunity. >> nows the time to give the new strategy one last chance. and if this one doesn't work, it's time for a backup plan. >> reporter: but what is that plan? a letter from president obama accom

rob miller indoors in the service of this country. he bled to kim and fought to bring him home.oldiers embody the spirit that guide our troops in afghanistan every day. they focus on their mission. it breaks the momentum of the taliban insurgency. afghans defended themselves. it nature that afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terrorists. that is their mission. that is our mission that is what we will do. -- i wouldsrob's team ask loved team that were with him that day to stand and be recognized. [applause] finally, and all those give their lives -- every american is safer because of that. every american has a duty to remember their sacrifice. if we keep the legacy alive, if we keep faith with the freedoms they died to defend, you can imagine a day days from now when another trump said that his desk and ponders the true meaning of heroism and find inspiration in the story of a soldier, staff sergeant robert miller and a generation that fought day and night for what they thought was right. that is the meaning of this metal. -- medal. please come and join me in in the readi

as a fellow marine, i hope that rob miller will do the right thing and return that money.hat courage and honor are all about. guest: yeah. it's fascinating to me. i know there has been lots of disagreement about that headline historically, but the idea that somebody wants to bring up a three-year-old ad when we're facing unprecedented unemployment in our generation, when people are worried about how they're going to pay their electricity bill at the end of the month, i just don't think it's ever been -- it's never been a winning strategy. and certainly not now when most americans really want to hear how their lives are going to get better. host: was there a debate within moveon.org about using that headline in your ad? guest: i think -- of course, retroactively, i think there is debates everywhere. but, you know, we do think while reasonable people can certainly disagree with the headline, the point was, still an incredibly important one to make and it opened up what we were doing in iraq. host: and next call from north carolina. republican line. caller: good morning. i'd

as a felw marine, i hope that rob miller will do the right thing and return that money. that is what courage and honor are all about. guest: yeah. it's fascinating to me. i know there has been lots of disagreement about that headline historically, but the idea that somebody wants to bring up a three-year-old ad when we're facing unprecedented unemployment in our generation, when people are worried about how they're going to pay their electricity bill at the end of the month, i just don't think it's ever been -- it's never been a winning strategy. and certainly not now when most americans really want to hear how their lives are going to get better. host: was there a debate within moveon.org about using that headline in your ad? guest: i think -- of course, retroactively, i think there is debates everywhere. but, you know, we do think while reasonable people can certainly disagree with the headline, the point was, still an incredibly important one to make and it opened up what we were doing in iraq. host: and next call from north carolina. republican line. caller: good mor

as a felw marine, i hope that rob miller will do the right thing and return that money.e and honor are all about. gut: yeah. it's fcinating to me. i know there has been lots of disagreement about that headline historically, but the idea that somebody wants to bring up a three-year-old ad when we're facing unprecedented unemployment in our generation, when people are worried about how they're going to pay their electricity bill at the end of the month, i just don't think it's ever been -- it's never been a winning strategy. and certainly not now when most americans really want to hear how their lives are going to get better. host: was there a debate within move.org about using that headline in your ad? guest: i think -- of course, retroactively, i think there is debates everywhere. but, you know, we do think while reasonable people can certainly disagree with the headline, the point was, still an incredibly important one to make and it opened up what we were doing in iraq. host: and next call from north carolina. republican line. caller: good morning. i'd just like to say

rob's weapon. fell silent. >> miller was also remembered back home in wheaton.is elementary school dedicated a plaque in his memory. >>> president obama will be in chicago today trying to raise big money for democrats in some key races. he will headline two fundraisers for aleksei giannoulias who is in a tight race with republican mark kirk. the first is a late afternoon reception at the drake. the other a private dinner event where tickets start at $15,000 a head. the president also campaigning for governor pat quinn doing new radio spots for the democratic nominee. >>> coming up, looking at a live picture from halas hall where bears players are speaking with the media at this hour. you are waiting to hear from quarterback jay cutler who word is the latest he will not play sunday. we will have an update coming up in sports. >>> bear's take on the panthers this sunday. to get you ready we are cooking carolina. a recipe for pulled pork. a favorite coming up in lunch break. bonnie, turn up the volume. your baby sister has something to say. this intervention brough

rob's weapon fell silent. >> along with his parents, miller's seven brothers and sisters were at the ceremony in the east room today. one of his younger brothers is now training to be a green beret himself. >>> the united states tonight apologizing to pakistan for that recent helicopter attack that killed two of its soldiers near the border with afghanistan. but the apology may be too little too late. the u.s. and its nato allies came under new attack today. our chief foreign correspondent andrea mitchell in washington tonight with more on this escalading situation. andrea, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. indeed, relations between the united states and pakistan are close to veering out of control tonight. as gunmen attack two more convoys trying to reach u.s. and nato troops in afghanistan. as many as 40 nato supply trucks were set ablaze in today's attacks, with no sign pakistan is doing anything to protect the convoy. just look what happened to this bbc correspondent as he tried to file a report. the toll is relentless. ever since pakistan closed the vital border crossing to protest the deat

awarded the medal of honor to 24-year-old staff sergeant robert miller, an army green beret killed in a harrowing nighttime battle in 2008. >> robdecision. he called for his team to fall back. and then he did something extraordinary. rob moved in the other direction, toward the enemy, drawing their guns away from his team and bringing the fire of all those insurgents down upon himself. then, over the radio, they heard his voice. he had been hit. but still, he kept calling out enemy positions, still he kept firing. still he kept throwing his grenades. then they heard it, rob's weapon fell silent. >> his family, his parents and all seven brothered and sisters were at the ceremony today. >>> and still ahead on "world news," who is this group behind the hate-filled protests at military funerals? and what are they saying to their children tonight? >>> and, how do you feel about the picture, a pregnant woman drinking? a new study, new findings on what alcohol can do. >>> and, the state that may have cracked the code, putting americans back to work. [ woman ] alright, so this tylenol 8 hour lasts 8 hours. but aleve can last 12 hours. a

rob and vinita. >> all right. emily schmidt in washington this morning, thanks, emily. >>> as emily said, sarah palin headlined an event for joe miller. earlier the former governor suggested a try for the white house might be in her future. she told "entertainment tonight" if no one else runs for the nomination, she would be willing to step in. >>> preparations are under way for politics comedy central style this weekend in washington. jon stewart and stephen colbert have teamed up to hold the rally to restore sanity and/or fear just steps from the capitol. they're being tight-lipped about who will appear on stage with them. >>> now to a potential bombshell in the gulf oil spill investigation. halliburton is now acknowledging that it skipped doing a critical test on the final formulation of cement used to seal the oil well. the admission came in response to findings by the presidential oil spill commission. the faulty cement has been identified as one of the key causes of that april disaster. >>> an arkansas school board member has agreed to resign after suggesting on facebook that gay teens should commit suicide. prosecutors have be

miller counterattacked, protecting his fellow green berets. >> he had been hit but kept calling out enemy positions, still he kept firing, still he kept throwing his grenades. then they heard it, rob's weapon, fell silent. >> reporter: president obama wants the start of a u.s. pullout next summer. the taliban is on the rise in afghanistan and next door in pakistan, u.s. convoys under attack. if a deal gets cut between the taliban leader and the afghan president karzai, is that a defeat for the u.s.? one opinion. >> no. no. cutting a deal allows us to refocus on what's important to us, al qaeda and stabilizing pakistan. >> reporter: after fighting the taliban for nine long years, the tenth year starts tomorrow. america's longest war. steve handles man, nbc news, washington. >> in health news, new numbers show tt california has seen the most cases of whooping cough since 1955. officials say there have been more than 5200 cases so far this year in the state. nine infants have died. all of the deaths involve babies too young to be fully immunized. lawmakers are pushing for kids to get booster shots. a new law requires all high school and junior high students to get booster shots for who

sunlen miller is joining us from washington. >> reporter: good morning, rob and vinita.daily show" are pushed for laughs. this time president obama was pushed for answers. the laughs came at the expense of obama's promise of change. >> what have you done that we don't know about? are you -- are you planning a surprise party for us? filled with jobs and health care. >> no, but -- >> jon stewart gave the president a taste of his supporters who are less than enthused. >> so you wouldn't say you'd run this time as a pragmatist. you would not. it wouldn't be, yes, we can, given certain conditions and -- >> no, no, i think what i would say is, yes, we can, but it -- but it is not going to happen overnight. >> reporter: the president played defense. but there were still moments of laughter. >> larry summers did a heck of a job trying to figure out how to -- >> you don't want to use that phrase, dude. >> pun intended. >> reporter: but the president's appearance was not just for some laughs. it's about votes. >> you've got a constituency of younger voters that watch that show. an

rob? >>> republican sarah palin is now turning her attention to her home state. tea party favorite and senate hopeful joe millerappear at a gop rally tomorrow. today, though, in california first lady michelle obama gives a campaign boost to senator barbara boxer. and this evening president obama appears on jon stewart's "the daily show" to continue to spread his message. >>> polls have shown that the economy and jobs are top priorities for voters. another campaign issue, immigration, has both parties making wildly different claims. here's jake tapper. >> reporter: on univision radio this week president obama told the largely hispanic audience of listeners this. >> i'm going to keep my promise on immigration reform. >> reporter: activists say the president's only explicit immigration promise was made when he was running for president. >> we will have in the first year an immigration bill that i strongly support and that i'm promoting. >> reporter: did the president keep that promise? no. there has not been an immigration bill that he strongly supported and promoted. on the airwaves republicans are attacking demo

senate candidate joe miller after she gave him the endorsement and a possible hint about palin's own presidential ambitions. >>> also, the rain is lingering in the northeast this morning. robst right after the break. it's 46 minutes past the hour. . [ scoffs ] forget about it. but i love this card. bankamericard cash rewards credit card. 1% cash back on everything i buy. period. no limit to the amount of cash back i can get. no hoops to jump through. simple. [ male announcer ] the refreshingly simple bankamericard cash rewards credit card. apply online or at a bank of america near you. >>> welcome back to the most news in the morning. we had some tornado it's across arizona yesterday. four of them crazy stuff. sunshine across the midsection of the compun across the country. actually, there's a lot of spots with sunshine. this stubborn low will go away. just in time for the weekend. unsettled weather from new york to boston. a couple showers. not too big of a deal. right now, the rain is little b you in nassau and suffolk county. these are record lows. alabama, 37. asheville, north carolina, higher up. almost the freezing mark. daytime highs today 70s in the nation and incl