[laughter] as he exits, let me just say to him and tall vietnam vets, on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your courageous service for opening hearts. and for so well honoring your brothers and sisters in arms who died for this country. and for each other. words can never express the depth of our gratitude to each of you, our vets. for your courage, selflessness, service, and sacrifices made by you and your family. there is virtue in trying. in reminding how these courageous men and women for their lives on the line for all of us. how much they gave often their last full measure of devotion.

how much each is willing to give . the highest ideals of our nation might endure for all americans. veterans valor is a constant reminder of true loyalty. true courage. true patriotism. finally, speaking of courage, to all you courageous journalists here today, many of you have gotten a battlefield, cities under siege, risk in great danger to tell service members and veterans stories. announcer: we return to live coverage of the national veterans day ceremony at arlington national cemetery.

♪ >> please welcome vice president of the united states, kamala harris. ♪ [applause] >> please remain standing for the procession of our nations colors and those of our veteran

service organizations. as we march on the colors, the united states navy band will play the national emblem march. please place your hand over your heart and render a hand salute. ♪

♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the invocations given by chaplin kimberly r willis, executive director of the national chaplain service for the u.s.

department of veterans affairs. >> good morning. let us pray. most gracious and eternal god, we invite you into this sacred space where we gather in community on the hallowed grounds of the memorial amphitheater to acknowledge, to honor, to remember, and to express gratitude to those who have served in the armed forces to defend the higher ideas of america's promise, of the unfettered value of human dignity and striving in the pursuit and attainment of freedom, equality, and justice for all people. they have selflessly stood watch for generation -- from generation to generation from sea to shining sea and abroad.

in the still of the night, in the deadliest of storms, via air, land, sea, and space, to ensure the hope inherits to the city on the hill could be realized in the least and the greatest. their call to duty did not come without sacrifice and we thank you that you are the god of intimate connection who knows each veteran and their family by name and to whom you have issued your own promise to never leave nor forsake. he are a god that not only sees their woundedness and hears our cries but a god of devoted action who heals even in the darkest moments of the anguish of those who you carry the visible and invisible wounds of war. you are the god who visits the harbor where the secret things of the heart reside. you are also the god who swells

as the welding while providing cover to those who mourn the loss of their angels who would pay the ultimate sacrifice for a grateful nation. god, today, we pray the sacrifices of our veterans serve as a beacon for every individual to take personal account and responsibility for the preservation of this great experiment called democracy, to uplift the sovereign nation and human flourishing of all of its inhabitants. now, may god bless the veteran service organization who champion the cause of veterans and remind us that no person is left behind, that families and caregivers of our veterans who companion them in their journey and the department of veteran affairs who binds the wounds of military servants and facilitates the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of all veterans,

finally may god bless each of you and may god bless the united states of america. [applause] >> now i would like to invite mr. jack mcmahon in, national president, vietnam veterans of america, to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. protocol for this occasion is to stand and place your hand over your heart or render a hand salute. >> i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> please be seated. it is now my distinct privilege to introduce the members of the veterans day national committee,

the committee formed by presidential order in 1954 to plan this annual observance in honor of america's veterans and support veterans day observances throughout the nation. please hold your applause until i have introduced each of the special guests. if you are able, please stand when your name is called. mr. jack mcmahon and, national president vietnam veteran of america. mr. to oreland, commander-in-chief veterans of foreign wars of the united states. mr. james e robbins junior, national president, sleek reserve association. mr. don mclean, national commander amvets.

miss arlene, army and navy union , united states of america. retired united states navy fleet master chief paul a kings berry, president noncommissioned officers association of the united states. ms. patricia harris, national vice commander, the american legion. mr. chris ved vick, national commander, ella terry order of the purple heart. retired united states marine corps sergeant major johnny baker, national, dante and ceo marine corps league. retired united states army chaplain brigadier general robert plus cow ski, national president, military chaplain

association of the united states of america. retired united states marine corps corporal charles brown, national president, paralyzed veterans of america. mr. donald marx, national aji sin, leader a valor of the united states. retired lieutenant colonel michael a okun, md. commander-in-chief, military order of the world war. retired united states navy chief petty officer deborah l shake, national president. the retired and listed. mr. brian fackler, d.c. agent and metal of honor recipient, congressional matter of honor society of the united states. mr. joe parr said as, national commander, disabled american veterans.

retired air force colonel jim o'brien, executive vice president and chief operating officer, military officers association of america. commander kristi purdy, chair, board of directors, commissioned officers association of the u.s. public health service. retired united states air force chief master sergeant perry wright, international president, air force sergeant association. mr. michael steps, national commander, polish legion of american veterans. mr. jeffrey j brody were, national president, korean war veterans association of the united states. mr. louise vasquez, national commander, american g.i. forum

of the united states. mr. joseph d mcneil senior, national president, blinded veterans association. mr. nelson mellon, national commander, jewish war veterans of the united states of america. the associate and emeritus members of the committee are located to my front right. i would like to ask the president and national commanders who comprise our associates and emeritus membership to stand and be recognized. ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing our veterans national leadership with your applause. [applause] it is now my pleasure to

introduce the executive director , army national military cemeteries and the office of army cemeteries, miss karen durham angular era. [applause] >> good morning. what a beautiful day. yes, every day is a beautiful day here at arlington national cemetery. on behalf of the secretary of the army and the dedicated men and women who serve here, welcome to arlington national cemetery. i would especially like to extend a warm welcome to madame vice president kamala harris. thank you for being with us in honoring nations veterans. all -- also jack mcmanus. secretary of defense honorable lloyd austin and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff mark milley.

to our dignitaries, cabinet secretary, service secretary, howard service chief, our veterans, family, and everyone watching across our great nation, thank you. thank you for being with us today. i can think of no better place to honor our veterans than here at the center of our nation's most hallowed ground. we gather to recognize the honor, integrity, duty, courage, and patriotism of our service members past and present while today is a day of remembrance it is also a day of celebration. at arlington national cemetery, we have a sacred obligation to care for our veterans in their final place of rest. we also hold a great honor and responsibility to share in the story in educating future generations about the services and sacrifices. veterans have shaped the history of our nation of arlington

national cemetery we proudly and humbly treat every day like veterans day. these grounds represent the lives of over 400,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guard men, space wars, and family, who have served in times of peace and war. the theme for veterans day this year is honor and everything we do here on these grounds tends to honor and nation our veterans. at arlington national cemetery we work every day to honor our veterans here by maintaining the hollowed grounds and impeccable condition by educating and providing interpretation of the cemetery's rich history both in person and virtually and by the honors we bestow to our nations veterans during funeral services and at the tomb of the unknown soldier. those who have served or are currently serving our country in any capacity here or overseas,

you are seen, you are celebrated, and you are recognized for your contributions. you are among the courageous few who raised your right hand and answer the call. we are forever indebted to you. i would also like to thank spouses, parents, family members, and our community for your commitment in supporting your service members. today and every day for over 158 years, arlington national cemetery is honored to serve our veterans and families of these most hollow grounds. we are a great people, service and sacrifice to great phonation. military people and families are our greatest strength. no place in arlington could be purchased, each must be earned. veterans this day and every day here at arlington national cemetery along see you. thank you again and welcome to arlington national cemetery. [applause]

>> i would now like to introduce our veterans service organization host for 2022, the vietnam veterans of america. the vietnam veterans of america is honored to serve as this year's host organization for the 2022 veterans day national commemoration at arlington national cemetery. vietnam veterans of america's record of achievement is a profile of tenacity and effectiveness. in january 1978, a small group of vietnam veteran act vests came to washington, d.c. to create an advocacy organization that would push for action of the unmet needs of their fellow vietnam veterans. today, vietnam veterans of america, the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization

dedicated to vietnam-era veterans and their families, has a national membership of 89,000 with more than 600 chapters. vietnam veterans of america safe council coordinate the activities of local chapters in 48 states, puerto rico, guam, and the u.s. virgin islands. the organization's ambitious agenda has always aimed to find creative, responsive solutions to concerns of vietnam-era veterans while the same time fulfilling the vietnam veterans of america founding principal that never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. vietnam veterans of america will always work to make sure those who serve our nation receive the care and treatment they have earned. the vietnam veterans of america his representative today by their national president.

ladies and gentlemen, please welcome mr. jack mcmahonis. [applause] >> thank you. meadow vice president, dr. biden , mr. secretary, distinguished guests, my fellow veterans, it is a great privilege from vietnam veterans of america deserve at the arlington national 60 knife commemorative celebration of veterans day. our vietnam veterans, welcome home. today, we recognize 19 million living veterans of soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians,

marines, coast guardsmen who we owe a great debt of gratitude for the freedoms we have as a nation. we remember and honor our heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty and justice. and we honor their spouses, parents, providers, many of whom are with us here today. to our comrades who remain missing in action, we remain true to our solemn promise to bring you home. may god bless you and your families. we have come a long ways when vietnam vets headstart. as they work hard in their communities and with the legislators to ensure all veterans receive the respect and

gratitude they so rightly deserve. we have lived up to our founding principles, never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. we are especially proud to see that our fight to change the public perspective -- perception of vietnam veterans has paid off in the newest veterans are coming home to the warm welcome from a supportive country. thank you. [applause] that's a veterans service based on distinction and time or location at the dispense of each other veterans equally honorable service is an injustice to all veterans. could we really believe the veterans lost in the babe ruth

barracks hearth and the sea in benghazi or any less of a sacrifice than those lost in vietnam? if our nation and all its institutions simply recognize my generation of veterans has deserving in the honor and distinction of being rick ties as an american veteran has were previous veterans, more popular hostilities that came before us, it is likely bba never would have came into existence. as vietnam veterans, we go for assisting veterans on diseases and's -- diseases and agent orange.

we are ecstatic with the recent passage of the pass act, the most comprehensive bill to address the help of vets of military toxic exposures. the willingness to which our young men women are likely to serve in any war is directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans in the past for the nation. we have come a long way in much remains to be done. the future depends on the young men and women who raise their hand to uphold the constitution of the united states. there is little to be angry or little to complain about now with the way veterans are treated by our nation.

so that is largely because of the way leadership treats us in the way the department veteran affairs has become so transparent, efficient because of the leadership of their secretary. it is my honor to introduce the secretary of the department of veteran affairs, dennis mcdonough. [applause] >> thank you very much. meadow vice president, mr. emhoff, secretary austin and teammates from the cabinet, most of all veterans, your families, caregivers, survivors, good

morning, everybody. thank you for joining our country's annual veterans day celebration. today's a day to honor veterans, to remember all they have done for our nation, for each of us, to reflect on those heroes. we hope to see some come home and soon. and recognize those that went back to serve their families, caregivers, survivors, sacrifice right alongside them. veterans day something more, a call to action, for each of us, to serve vets every bit as well as they have served us on veterans day, indeed every day.

because president biden has said and reminded again this morning that there the very backbone of this country. they put their lives on the line so that the highest ideals of this nation, our core values, might continue. veterans don't only keep those ideas alive by serving our country in uniform and fighting the nation's wars, they also do it to long after the last bullet before it is fired by serving with steadfast courage and selflessness like the selflessness of the v -- vietnam vets of america that were just talked about here at home. think about it. when our country needed someone to finally break the color

barrier, major league baseball, it was lieutenant jackrabbits and who did it. with his talent, only exceeded by his courage, discipline, and determination. when our country needed to win the space race, it was lieutenant jd neil armstrong who planted his foot on the moon and the giant leap for the nation and for all mankind. when our country needed to heal and vietnam, it was corporal jan scruggs who created a vietnam veterans memorial wall and helped open the nation's heart to the heroic service of jack and his fellow vietnam vets. when our country needed for the first time to break the need and challenges of disabled american

kids, it was world war ii veterans, dr. samuel kerr, a father of special education, who led that historic chain. and when we needed to be educated on the effects of toxic exposure on the battlefield, specialist kelly kennedy told stories of suffering service members, veterans, and family, including 11 families i heard over breakfast this morning so we would not forget. those stories, those vets, robinson, armstrong, scruggs, kirk, kennedy, those are the vets you already know, but there are many more vets just like them whose names we may not now but whose impact resonates in every community across the country.

when the country needs something difficult on, when we need to do the hard thing, the right thing, so often it is veterans who answer the call. whether defending our nation overseas or strengthening the fabric of our communities here at home, there honorable service, your honorable service in uniform sets the example for the rest of the country. they are the caretakers of our national peoples. that beats up sense of purpose they learned in serving. their camaraderie, their determination, their sense of teamwork that made them stronger together in combat and now in communities, that is exactly what we need today. camaraderie. truth, togetherness, tree

service, true patriotism because we are indeed all stronger when we are together simply put through the service veterans remind us what it truly means to be an american. something all of us, each of us, can learn from. for that, we are forever in your debt. madam vice president, last year as a celebration of america you reinforced that what veterans exemplify, you encouraged us to believe in what we can do together. and with your and president biden's leadership, your and his advocacy, this country together is doing so much for veterans. we are grateful for your

leadership, for your unrelenting advocacy on behalf of veterans, their families, their caregivers, their survivors. that is my great honor to introduce the vice president of the united states of america, kamala harris. [applause] v.p. harris: thank you. good morning. good morning. to secretary mcdonough, i think you for the work you have been doing, so tirelessly. it is noble and important work. first lady dr. joe biden, second gentleman doug emhoff, secretary lloyd austin, and members of our cabinet, general mark milley, and service chiefs, leaders and members of veterans service

organizations and all of the distinguished guests, good morning and thank you. in particular tower veterans, service members, families, caregivers, and survivors, it is a profound privilege to thank and honor you today and every day. we gather to pay homage to all those who have served our nation in uniform, at home and overseas , in times of war and in times of peace. generations of veterans defended our country and our most sacred values. from the fields of yorktown to the trenches of the marne, to the beaches of normandy, to the banks of the chosen reservoir

and the streets of saigon. from baghdad to volusia, to kandahar. he stood as one to protect our democracy and our freedom. and even when you return home and took off your uniform, you continued to serve and lead in communities across our country. veterans after all our initiatives -- are nurses and firefighters, little league coaches, small business owners, fake leaders, and elected officials, mentors, and teachers. every day, through your life's work and your example, you make america stronger. [applause]

and on veterans day we come together as a nation then to express our profound gratitude for all you have done and continue to do. here on hollow ground we also remember those who gave their lives for our nation. we remember our service members who have not yet returned and their families and we reaffirm our commitment to bring home all of those missing in action. veterans represent the best of america, unwavering courage, unmatched talent, and unshakable devotion. you come from every corner of our country and out of many he

become one, the greatest fighting force in the world. [applause] as vice president aboard ships and the end of pacific, had so calm in florida, and on nato's eastern flank, i have seen firsthand how america's armed forces protect the highest ideals of our nation around the world. since 1789, american service members have sworn an oath not to a person, not to a party but

to the constitution of the united states, to support and defend the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. to preserve and attacked our democracy. veterans, you are the ones who answer the call and in so doing you left often the people you love and place you call home. you missed birthdays, holidays, graduations. some of you first met your newborn baby on a video chat. you risk everything and you gave up so much to safeguard the lives and liberty of people who you may never meet, to be a veteran is to have truly known

the true cost of freedom and to have borne it for all of us. that is a debt that must always be remembered. and i believe it is a debt we must all work to repay. [applause] that when i was attorney general of the california and united states senator, we fought to protect the well-being of our veterans and service members and as vice president i am proud to serve alongside one of the greatest champions of our nation's warriors, our president, joe biden. [applause] president biden and i believe,

as americans, we have a sacred obligation to take care of our veterans and our military families, fulfilling that obligation means making sure veterans can access the support and resources they need to thrive. for example, it has meant connecting thousands of veterans with job training, to help them leverage the skills and experience they gain while serving, to build a new career and strengthen america's workforce. fulfilling that obligation also means taking on veteran homelessness. this year alone we have placed the 1000 veterans in permanent housing and we are on track to house thousands more by year-end. [applause]

taking care of our veterans also means taking care of those who love them because while our veterans wore the uniform, they were not the only ones to serve and to understands that better than dr. joe biden. her leadership of joining forces, dr. biden fights for military families, caregivers, and survivors and dr. biden, our nation applauds your extraordinary work. [applause] and taking care of our veterans means making sure that they receive benefits they have rightly earned. we have worked to reduce the

v.a. claims backlog by upgrading technology, hiring more claims processors and streamlining evaluations. as a result, we processed more v.a. claims than ever before in history. [applause] and we also came together, immigrants and republicans to support millions -- democrats and republicans to support millions. the pack act as has been mentioned is the most significant expansionist of health care benefits for veterans and their survivors in three decades and it was passed because of the leadership of our president and because of the leadership of some many of you and we are indebted to you for that hard work.

so a few months ago, i received a letter from lieutenant travis akers, lieutenant akers wrote about a friend and a fellow sailor. lieutenant reed served our nation and he worked as an officer near a burn pit. tragically, lieutenant ried asked to wait in 2018 from leukemia. he is buried here in arlington, section 60 plot 11854. lieutenant akers fought for the pact act and a friend's memory. he advocated, he testified, and thanks to him and so many

veterans like him our nation is one step closer to living up to our highest ideals. so all of that to say america is a promise, a promise of security , opportunity, and freedom. not to some, but for all. on veterans day, we celebrate the generations of americans who fought to make that promise real. and we recognize to truly honor our veterans, we must come together as a nation to defend that promise too. on that point i will conclude by sharing the words of private first class abe lori one of the

many veterans joining us today. [applause] so abe served our nation in world war ii. he was a member of the 58 q m sales company at the united states army. from 19 43 to 1946, abe traveled across england, france, and belgium going from camp to camp to outfit the men and women fighting to free europe and the world. in his travels, abe met thousands of americans. they came from towns and cities you never heard of and, yet, as

he tells it even if they only crossed paths for a moment, abe felt a connection with each. and he said in the service, we were one people. one people. [applause] out of many, one. and that is the story of our armed forces. and it is the story of our nation. that is who we are, that is who we must be, one nation.

united, for liberty, united for equality, united for democracy. one nation, united to preserve the freedom our veterans gave so much to defend. may god bless you and may god bless the united states of america. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing and join the united states navy band first chorus in singing god bless america. ♪ god bless america

land that i love stand beside her and guide her thru the night with the light from above from the mountains to the prairies .. god bless america my home sweet home. god bless america and sweet home. god bless america, i home.

[applause] >> ladies and gentlemen please remain standing as we retire the colors. retire the colors. ♪

>> this concludes the national 2022 veterans day observance. please stand for the departing of the vice president of the united states. thank you for joining us today to celebrate and honor all who served. [applause]

>> defense secretary lloyd austin joins chuck hagel in a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the vietnam veterans memorial. live coverage this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. also on our free mobile video app c-span now or online at c-span.org. >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. funded by these television companies and more including cox. >>