Kerry Delivers Powerful Speech To Vets (this is the first part of it. Bring it on!)
"You will have a fellow veteran in the White House"
John Kerry promises America's soldiers that he will "lead an America where the benefits of American life are available to all who risked their lives defending it."
Editor's note: The following is a transcript of John Kerry's Wednesday address to the American Legion Convention in Nashville, Tenn.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Sept. 1, 2004 | Eighty-five years ago, the American Legion was founded by and for our nation’s veterans. As one of those veterans who benefited from your advocacy and as one of your members, I am honored to accept your invitation to be here today and proud of what the American Legion does every day to advance the ideals of America.
You are the citizen soldiers who know that our service does not end on the battlefield -- it begins there. You know that the pledge we took to defend America is also a pledge to protect the promise America offers. And let there be no doubt -- when I am president, you will have a fellow veteran in the White House who understands that those who fought for our country abroad should never have to fight for what they were promised at home.
In the spirit of all the men and women in uniform who we honor here, I want to be clear: As president, I will always remember that America’s security begins and ends with the soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coastguardsmen -- with every man and every woman in our armed services who has ever stood guard at the gates of freedom. Today, I salute each and every one of you for your commitment, strength and extraordinary courage. America says thank you -- and we all join in a special salute to Greatest Generation vets whose memorial finally stands proudly in a place of honor on the Mall in Washington. Thank you for your extraordinary example as citizen soldiers.
I also want to speak directly for a moment to those currently risking their lives as far away as Iraq and Afghanistan. America’s prayers are with you. We honor your service, thank you for your sacrifice and we pledge to stand with your families as you stand for ours. These young men and women are the best of America.
In March of 1919, five months after the November Armistice ended the war that was to end all wars, members of the American Expeditionary Force gathered in Paris to establish our American Legion. Their cause remains our cause to this day: "For God and Country we associate ourselves together."
This is not only a pledge, but a principle that we have carried to war and lived in peace. We know that with the privilege of freedom comes an obligation to give back, to serve, and to risk on behalf of others. That’s something I carry in my heart and in my gut and I know you do, too.
And while your service and sacrifice are well known, what is not as well known is how hard we fought after we returned from service to keep faith with our fellow soldiers.
After returning from Vietnam, I saw vets who weren't getting the care they needed -- so we fought hard and got additional funding for V.A. hospitals, and hospital care for places that couldn't provide it.
To help those veterans having difficulty adjusting after the war, we founded the first medical assistance programs in the country, and put together the first ever outreach groups to help those with post-traumatic stress disorder.
We stood with veterans, by getting the GI Bill extended so those returning from war could improve their lives. And fought hard for increases in veterans' allowances and for living expenses so veterans were able to go to school and open the doors of opportunity.
I stand here proud that we kept faith together. It was veterans fighting for veterans. We veterans made that happen. We should be proud of what we accomplished for our fellow servicemen and women. |
