We played a critical role in caring for the families left behind. We helped ensure that thousands of Guard and Reserve soldiers were fit to fight. We took on the rear-area workload, which needed to be done right. These are powerful words, and true ones. And let's not forget to honor the many other veterans who served during peacetime and those who deployed during operations other than war.
All soldiers commit to putting their lives on the line.
As we saw in Mogadishu, Somalia, and at the American Embassy at Nairobi, Kenya, soldiers die in operations other than war. All soldiers train and maintain a constant state of readiness so that whenever the nation needs them, they are ready to serve and, if necessary, to fight and die for their country. Therefore, on Veterans Day, we recognize and honor the many veterans who supported our warfighters as well as all soldiers who served during peacetime. We honor them today, as we have for 79 years. His intention was to honor the valiant forces who fought and died in one of the most costly and bitter wars ever fought.