Veterans Day 2011: President Obama Pays Tribute to Veterans on Veterans Day (VIDEO)
Following a day when the U.S. Senate, in a show of bipartisanship, passed a measure as part of President Barack Obama jobs bill, to aid veterans in their search for employment, the president paid tribute to veterans.
President Obama Pays Tribute to Veterans on Veterans DayThe measure, which was passed by 95-0, aims to assist thousands of veterans in finding employment. The program will offer employers up to $5,600 per veteran hired and kept employed, for at least a period of six months.
This will be of help to the double-digit percentage of veterans who are currently out of work. Over 200,000 veterans are currently unemployed, with 21 percent, between the ages of 18-30 out of work.
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In an address at Arlington National Cemetery today, the President said:
“To all our nation’s veterans: Whether you fought in Salerno or Samarra, Khe Sanh or the Korengal, you are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served this country with honor and distinction. On behalf of a proud and grateful nation, we thank you.”
Obama described veterans as selfless:
“For many, that day has come. Over the past decade, more than 5 million Americans have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Of these, 3 million stepped forward after the attacks of September 11th, knowing full well that they could be sent into harm’s way.”
The president went on to add, “And in that time, they have served in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Their service has been selfless. Their accomplishments have been extraordinary. “
Obama concluded his remarks by thanking the men and women in the military: “You, our veterans, fight so our children won’t have to. We build and we invent and we learn so that we will know greater opportunity. America leads so that the next generation, here and around the world, will know a more hopeful life on this Earth, so today I thank you all for making that possible. ”
