the secretary of veterans' affairs, rick shinseki.f our finest, himself one of our finest veterans. obviously an extraordinary leader when he was in our army. i also want to acknowledge interior secretary ken salazar who is in the house. [applause] and we're joined by another president, the international association of fire fighters president harold berger is here. [applause] and this is a fire station that holds some special significance for our country. on september 11th the firefighters of this house were among the first to respond to the attack on the pentagon. you guys answered this nation's call its hour of need. and in the years that followed the as americans went to war some of you answered that call as well. now today's 9/11 generation of veterans has already earned a special place in our history. our veterans and all of the brave men and women who serve our country are the reason why america's military is the greatest in the history of the world. in the face of great odds and grave danger, they get the job done. they work as

secretary of veterans affairs, rick shinseki is in the house also one of our finest -- [applause] himself one of our finest veterans, and obviously an extraordinary leader when he was an hour or me. and i also want to acknowledge interior secretary ken salazar who's in the house. [applause] and we're joined by another president, the international association of firefighters president is here. [applause] now this is a fire station that holds some special significance for the country. on september 11th, the firefighters of this house were among the first to respond to the attack on the pentagon. you guys answer to this nation's call during a time of need, and in the years that followed, as americans went to war, some of you answered that call as well. today's 9/11 generation of veterans has already earned a special place in our history. our veterans and all the brave men and women who serve our country are the reason why america's military is the greatest in the history of the world. in the face of great odds and grave danger, they get the job done. the work as a team. they personify the ve

the secretary of veterans affairs, secretary shinseki, is in the house. [applause] he is an extraordinary leader, as he was in our army. i also want to acknowledge interior secretary can salazar who is in the house. [applause] >> we're joined by another president, the international firefighters association president is here. this is a fire station that holds some special significance for our country. on september 11, the firefighters of this house were among the first to respond to the attack on the pentagon. you guys answer this nation's call during its hour of need. in the years that followed, as americans went to work, some of you answered the call as well. as today's nine/11th generation of veterans, you have already earned a special place in our history. our veterans and all the brave men and women who serve our country are the reason why america's military is the greatest in the history of the world. in the face of great odds and great danger, they get the job done. they work as a team. they personify the very best american has to offer. that is tru