1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:06,369 --> 00:00:08,300 Each year , our nation recognizes 3 00:00:08,310 --> 00:00:10,920 November 11th as Veterans Day and we 4 00:00:10,930 --> 00:00:12,930 should all take time to observe and 5 00:00:12,930 --> 00:00:15,329 recognize what this day means and what 6 00:00:15,340 --> 00:00:17,507 it stands for this day is a day to pay 7 00:00:17,507 --> 00:00:19,673 tribute to the brave men and women who 8 00:00:19,673 --> 00:00:21,950 willingly chose to serve our nation in 9 00:00:21,959 --> 00:00:24,579 the armed forces all around the world . 10 00:00:24,590 --> 00:00:26,812 There are soldiers , sailors , airmen , 11 00:00:26,812 --> 00:00:28,923 marines , and guardians who put their 12 00:00:28,923 --> 00:00:31,146 nation first as they gave their oath to 13 00:00:31,146 --> 00:00:33,312 support and defend the constitution of 14 00:00:33,312 --> 00:00:35,479 the United States . We can never truly 15 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:37,646 measure the selflessness and sacrifice 16 00:00:37,646 --> 00:00:39,812 of our veterans risking their lives in 17 00:00:39,812 --> 00:00:41,590 defense of our nation , missing 18 00:00:41,590 --> 00:00:43,757 birthdays and first days of school due 19 00:00:43,757 --> 00:00:45,646 to deployments and time away from 20 00:00:45,646 --> 00:00:47,590 friends and loved ones to complete 21 00:00:47,590 --> 00:00:49,701 distant overseas assignments . All of 22 00:00:49,701 --> 00:00:51,868 these trying examples are just some of 23 00:00:51,868 --> 00:00:53,868 the routine sacrifices our veterans 24 00:00:53,868 --> 00:00:55,979 have made every day . Many of our 25 00:00:55,990 --> 00:00:58,049 disposition services and document 26 00:00:58,060 --> 00:01:00,282 services team have their own background 27 00:01:00,282 --> 00:01:02,171 of military service . The veteran 28 00:01:02,180 --> 00:01:04,347 presence within our agency is profound 29 00:01:04,419 --> 00:01:07,379 when nearly 60% of our workforce being 30 00:01:07,389 --> 00:01:09,949 prior military and as public servants . 31 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,180 Today , we continue to exemplify the 32 00:01:12,190 --> 00:01:14,910 values that we held dear as veterans 33 00:01:14,919 --> 00:01:18,709 duty , honor . And sacrifice . Listen 34 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:20,942 to some of our very own from within the 35 00:01:20,942 --> 00:01:22,776 Federal Center . Talk about what 36 00:01:22,776 --> 00:01:24,639 Veterans Day means to them . I'm 37 00:01:24,650 --> 00:01:26,706 Colonel Andre Toussaint , the Deputy 38 00:01:26,706 --> 00:01:29,750 Director for Disposition Services . I'm 39 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:31,649 Mr Cannon's right hand man . Uh , 40 00:01:31,649 --> 00:01:33,760 regarding Disposition Services . I've 41 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,680 been in the army for 29 years , doesn't 42 00:01:36,690 --> 00:01:38,746 seem like it , but , you know , time 43 00:01:38,746 --> 00:01:40,779 has flown . I enjoy what I do . 44 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,022 Therefore , I'm , I'm still here having 45 00:01:43,022 --> 00:01:46,300 fun . My name is Tina Johnson . I am a 46 00:01:46,309 --> 00:01:49,269 catalog , uh , catalog for NATO . 47 00:01:49,919 --> 00:01:52,410 And um , I do a little bit of 48 00:01:52,419 --> 00:01:55,099 everything , everything from as simple 49 00:01:55,110 --> 00:01:58,529 as a nutter bolt on your tire to 50 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,569 classified items that I don't even know 51 00:02:01,580 --> 00:02:05,110 what they are . I was an army national 52 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,490 guard and a army reservist . Uh I was 53 00:02:08,500 --> 00:02:10,611 an orthopedic tech , so I did casting 54 00:02:10,611 --> 00:02:14,229 attraction and I , uh cross trained and 55 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,729 became the , um , retention NCO for our 56 00:02:17,740 --> 00:02:21,259 unit . And I later in life married an 57 00:02:21,270 --> 00:02:25,139 airman from our local air guard who did 58 00:02:25,149 --> 00:02:27,639 nine tours over to the desert for 59 00:02:27,649 --> 00:02:29,779 Desert Shield and Desert Storm during 60 00:02:29,789 --> 00:02:33,639 his 10 year um as an airman and he 61 00:02:33,649 --> 00:02:37,259 retired about 10 years ago now . So he 62 00:02:37,270 --> 00:02:40,440 is a retired , um , veteran . I'm Corky 63 00:02:40,449 --> 00:02:42,560 Malcolm . Uh I'm the chief counsel at 64 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,029 DL A Disposition Services . Been here 65 00:02:45,039 --> 00:02:48,119 since 2015 . I'm retired from the Navy . 66 00:02:48,130 --> 00:02:51,134 I retired in 2010 , 24 years service , 67 00:02:51,145 --> 00:02:53,645 uh , working as a navy attorney . Navy 68 00:02:53,654 --> 00:02:55,987 judge advocate . My name is Debra Smith . 69 00:02:55,987 --> 00:02:58,043 I manage the law enforcement support 70 00:02:58,043 --> 00:03:00,265 office or the Lasso office . Um We have 71 00:03:00,265 --> 00:03:03,035 25 full time employees that manage the 72 00:03:03,044 --> 00:03:04,655 program that supports us law 73 00:03:04,655 --> 00:03:06,877 enforcement . So I served in the Marine 74 00:03:06,877 --> 00:03:08,988 Corps for nine years as a logistician 75 00:03:08,988 --> 00:03:11,155 um integrated maintenance management . 76 00:03:11,155 --> 00:03:13,322 So essentially I would order parts and 77 00:03:13,322 --> 00:03:15,433 keep our heavy equipment and uh motor 78 00:03:15,433 --> 00:03:17,585 transport platoons serviceable with 79 00:03:17,595 --> 00:03:20,139 their equipment . Um I actually was 80 00:03:20,149 --> 00:03:22,550 able to jump on heavy equipment every 81 00:03:22,559 --> 00:03:24,740 now and then to uh learn some 82 00:03:24,750 --> 00:03:26,694 additional duties on operating the 83 00:03:26,694 --> 00:03:28,861 equipment . So I really enjoyed that . 84 00:03:29,070 --> 00:03:31,181 I was very familiar with the military 85 00:03:31,181 --> 00:03:33,181 prior to joining , I grew up in San 86 00:03:33,181 --> 00:03:35,514 Diego , California , huge navy presence . 87 00:03:35,940 --> 00:03:38,429 I have a grandfather and an uncle that 88 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:40,850 both served in the Navy and another 89 00:03:40,860 --> 00:03:42,860 grandfather that served in the army 90 00:03:42,860 --> 00:03:45,250 during the Korean War . My grandfather 91 00:03:45,259 --> 00:03:47,426 served in world war one . I had uncles 92 00:03:47,426 --> 00:03:49,369 that were both veterans . My dad 93 00:03:49,380 --> 00:03:51,600 retired from the army was a Korean war 94 00:03:51,610 --> 00:03:53,889 veteran , served in Vietnam twice . I 95 00:03:53,899 --> 00:03:57,000 think probably my dad didn't understand 96 00:03:57,009 --> 00:03:59,176 why I joined the Navy , but I think he 97 00:03:59,176 --> 00:04:01,509 was very proud afterwards . So I did 98 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,839 have my father was an army veteran . So , 99 00:04:05,020 --> 00:04:08,289 um , yes , I saw pictures growing up of 100 00:04:08,300 --> 00:04:11,649 him in his uniform . And um , you know , 101 00:04:11,660 --> 00:04:15,369 that that was a point of respect in 102 00:04:15,380 --> 00:04:17,489 terms of why I joined , I wanted the 103 00:04:17,500 --> 00:04:19,769 challenge . I knew I wanted to serve 104 00:04:19,779 --> 00:04:21,950 something greater than myself . So I 105 00:04:21,959 --> 00:04:24,015 took some college classes and then I 106 00:04:24,015 --> 00:04:26,237 entered the Marine Corps and absolutely 107 00:04:26,237 --> 00:04:29,149 loved it . Um , a good , good 108 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:32,589 experience . So , when , 109 00:04:33,079 --> 00:04:35,079 when I think about Veterans Day and 110 00:04:35,079 --> 00:04:38,779 what it means to me , it means that 111 00:04:39,290 --> 00:04:41,950 we've , we've got so many people here 112 00:04:41,959 --> 00:04:44,600 and so many varieties of people , I 113 00:04:44,609 --> 00:04:48,149 mean , every kind of age , um , color 114 00:04:48,519 --> 00:04:50,575 race , all of that . And they've all 115 00:04:50,579 --> 00:04:53,769 come together because it's America and 116 00:04:53,779 --> 00:04:56,549 they've all come to take care of 117 00:04:56,559 --> 00:04:59,290 America and its people and make sure 118 00:04:59,299 --> 00:05:02,170 that America stays safe , it stays free . 119 00:05:02,790 --> 00:05:05,239 Um , they give them of themselves , 120 00:05:05,250 --> 00:05:07,750 their families give up so much . When I 121 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:10,579 think of Veterans Day , I think of all 122 00:05:10,589 --> 00:05:12,478 the veterans that have served and 123 00:05:12,478 --> 00:05:14,589 although veterans , they , you know , 124 00:05:14,589 --> 00:05:17,350 didn't begin until 1918 , veterans go 125 00:05:17,359 --> 00:05:19,581 all the way back from the revolutionary 126 00:05:19,581 --> 00:05:21,940 war , all the way to today . And I 127 00:05:21,950 --> 00:05:24,220 think about , you know , mental health 128 00:05:24,230 --> 00:05:26,341 and the advancements in mental health 129 00:05:26,341 --> 00:05:28,174 and the recognition that of what 130 00:05:28,174 --> 00:05:30,286 veterans go through , you know , from 131 00:05:30,286 --> 00:05:32,609 the World Wars to Vietnam , to Korea , 132 00:05:32,910 --> 00:05:36,420 to OIF and Oef . Um I think about the 133 00:05:36,429 --> 00:05:38,869 sacrifices that veterans made and not 134 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:42,029 just veterans , but veterans families , 135 00:05:42,209 --> 00:05:43,931 you know , we just don't serve 136 00:05:43,931 --> 00:05:45,709 ourselves but our , our wives , 137 00:05:45,709 --> 00:05:48,260 husbands , children's parents , you 138 00:05:48,269 --> 00:05:50,491 know , we all serve together . It's a , 139 00:05:50,491 --> 00:05:52,713 it's a community of service . So when I 140 00:05:52,713 --> 00:05:54,769 hear Veterans Day is coming up and I 141 00:05:54,769 --> 00:05:56,769 see it on the calendar , um I think 142 00:05:56,769 --> 00:05:59,489 remembrance , I think respect . Um I 143 00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:01,950 think taking a quiet moment and 144 00:06:01,959 --> 00:06:03,792 remembering those who have given 145 00:06:03,792 --> 00:06:06,929 everything to serve their country . Um , 146 00:06:06,940 --> 00:06:10,109 you look at years and decades past the 147 00:06:10,119 --> 00:06:13,029 veterans of that came before us . Um , 148 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,207 you have veterans that gave down their 149 00:06:15,207 --> 00:06:17,318 life , they gave everything that they 150 00:06:17,318 --> 00:06:21,269 had . Um , and to take a moment every 151 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:23,630 Veterans Day , you know , Veterans Day 152 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:25,418 is something that you should be 153 00:06:25,418 --> 00:06:27,307 honoring every day when you see a 154 00:06:27,307 --> 00:06:29,473 veteran . But Veterans Day itself is a 155 00:06:29,473 --> 00:06:32,179 day that specifically is meant to take 156 00:06:32,190 --> 00:06:34,329 and have us pause and remember those 157 00:06:34,339 --> 00:06:36,179 that came and served before us . 158 00:06:36,589 --> 00:06:38,700 Memorial Day , of course , has a very 159 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:40,756 specific purpose and that's to honor 160 00:06:40,756 --> 00:06:43,510 those who have fallen in battle . Um 161 00:06:43,519 --> 00:06:45,630 Memorial Day goes back all the way to 162 00:06:45,630 --> 00:06:47,929 the Civil War Veterans Day . On the 163 00:06:47,940 --> 00:06:49,996 other hand , was created after World 164 00:06:49,996 --> 00:06:53,234 War one , it used to be known as those 165 00:06:53,244 --> 00:06:55,466 of , you know , your military history , 166 00:06:55,466 --> 00:06:58,355 11th hour , 11th day , 11th month and 167 00:06:58,364 --> 00:07:00,475 that was the first year they did . It 168 00:07:00,475 --> 00:07:03,084 was the year after armistice in World 169 00:07:03,095 --> 00:07:05,815 War One in the f it changed to be 170 00:07:05,825 --> 00:07:07,992 Veterans Day . And again , the purpose 171 00:07:07,992 --> 00:07:10,174 there is to honor all veterans , um , 172 00:07:10,315 --> 00:07:12,537 mainly the living veterans . But also I 173 00:07:12,537 --> 00:07:14,265 think any vet who served also 174 00:07:14,285 --> 00:07:16,515 recognizes that on that day , it's very 175 00:07:16,524 --> 00:07:18,825 important to remember the folks that , 176 00:07:18,834 --> 00:07:21,005 that didn't make it and that we serve 177 00:07:21,015 --> 00:07:24,230 with . I will tell you , you know , my 178 00:07:24,239 --> 00:07:27,970 wife is a 24 year army veteran and 179 00:07:27,980 --> 00:07:30,929 even though she is no longer serving in 180 00:07:30,940 --> 00:07:33,829 uniform . She's serving out of uniform 181 00:07:33,929 --> 00:07:36,096 and she has a job right here in Battle 182 00:07:36,096 --> 00:07:38,262 Creek that helps homeless veterans get 183 00:07:38,262 --> 00:07:40,318 on their feet . So , when I think of 184 00:07:40,318 --> 00:07:42,429 veterans , I think of people like her 185 00:07:42,660 --> 00:07:45,929 who served in uniform , who served out 186 00:07:45,940 --> 00:07:48,250 of uniform , I think about , 187 00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:53,380 uh , our soldiers at the VA and 188 00:07:53,390 --> 00:07:56,029 they have the most wonderful stories to 189 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,440 tell you if you take the moment to 190 00:07:58,450 --> 00:08:02,420 listen to them . Um , I think 191 00:08:02,429 --> 00:08:04,549 about their positive experiences , 192 00:08:04,559 --> 00:08:07,519 their negative experiences . Um , and I 193 00:08:07,529 --> 00:08:09,570 think about the families of those 194 00:08:09,579 --> 00:08:13,100 soldiers , the ones that are currently 195 00:08:13,109 --> 00:08:15,970 serving , uh , the ones who have 196 00:08:15,980 --> 00:08:17,924 already served in are at the va in 197 00:08:17,924 --> 00:08:20,640 retirement age . In my opinion , it's 198 00:08:20,649 --> 00:08:22,816 very important to observe Veterans Day 199 00:08:22,816 --> 00:08:24,982 because regardless of if you served or 200 00:08:24,982 --> 00:08:28,019 not , we are citizens of this country 201 00:08:28,029 --> 00:08:30,196 that enjoy all the liberties that were 202 00:08:30,196 --> 00:08:33,179 fought and earned , um , by all the 203 00:08:33,190 --> 00:08:35,246 bloodshed and the brothers before us 204 00:08:35,246 --> 00:08:38,400 and sisters looking back and one of the 205 00:08:38,409 --> 00:08:40,298 reasons why I probably joined the 206 00:08:40,298 --> 00:08:42,690 military , um , there are two famous 207 00:08:42,700 --> 00:08:44,820 quotes from two presidents that I 208 00:08:44,830 --> 00:08:46,941 wanted to share with you today . Um , 209 00:08:46,941 --> 00:08:50,190 the first one , any person who's asked , 210 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,089 what did you do to make your life 211 00:08:52,089 --> 00:08:54,809 worthwhile ? I think that person would 212 00:08:54,820 --> 00:08:57,042 be able to respond with a great deal of 213 00:08:57,042 --> 00:08:59,153 pride and satisfaction with an answer 214 00:08:59,153 --> 00:09:01,469 like this . I served in the US Navy 215 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:04,039 that was John F Kennedy . And then the 216 00:09:04,049 --> 00:09:06,216 second quote is from another president 217 00:09:06,216 --> 00:09:08,382 that was there when I was growing up . 218 00:09:08,489 --> 00:09:10,656 And it's very similar . It says , uh , 219 00:09:10,656 --> 00:09:12,822 some people live their entire life and 220 00:09:12,822 --> 00:09:14,489 wonder if they've ever made a 221 00:09:14,489 --> 00:09:16,711 difference . But a United States marine 222 00:09:16,711 --> 00:09:18,878 never has that problem . And that came 223 00:09:18,878 --> 00:09:21,100 from Ronald Reagan again . I think both 224 00:09:21,109 --> 00:09:23,053 of them are important because they 225 00:09:23,053 --> 00:09:24,998 emphasize that , that everyone who 226 00:09:24,998 --> 00:09:27,276 served , um , has a reason to be proud . 227 00:09:27,276 --> 00:09:29,520 It's a time that we can take off , you 228 00:09:29,530 --> 00:09:31,863 know , just take off a day and just say , 229 00:09:31,863 --> 00:09:34,190 hey , thank you , you know , but it 230 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:36,200 really means a lot to veterans when 231 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,367 people just say thank you . You know , 232 00:09:38,367 --> 00:09:40,200 we see stuff on TV , we see your 233 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,570 ceremonies , we see all these events 234 00:09:42,809 --> 00:09:45,031 and it really makes the sacrifice worth 235 00:09:45,031 --> 00:09:47,440 it . I believe that service members 236 00:09:47,450 --> 00:09:49,672 serve because , you know , they want to 237 00:09:49,672 --> 00:09:51,617 give back to the country in my own 238 00:09:51,617 --> 00:09:54,280 career . I moved 13 times . Um If I 239 00:09:54,289 --> 00:09:56,567 added on the times I moved with my dad , 240 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:58,918 um , we're probably up in the twenties , 241 00:09:58,918 --> 00:10:01,251 um which is a lot of moves in your life , 242 00:10:01,251 --> 00:10:03,084 going to different communities , 243 00:10:03,084 --> 00:10:05,251 meeting new people , all those type of 244 00:10:05,251 --> 00:10:07,307 things . Um I , I guess probably the 245 00:10:07,307 --> 00:10:09,418 biggest I think of though is my dad , 246 00:10:09,479 --> 00:10:12,260 you know , two tours in Vietnam when I 247 00:10:12,270 --> 00:10:15,150 was a fairly young man . And , you know , 248 00:10:15,159 --> 00:10:17,690 that is a sacrifice for a family . Any 249 00:10:17,700 --> 00:10:19,960 time a military member has to deploy 250 00:10:19,969 --> 00:10:22,419 away from the family , whether it's 251 00:10:22,429 --> 00:10:24,596 just for training or for , it's a real 252 00:10:24,596 --> 00:10:26,770 world event . There is sacrifices 253 00:10:26,780 --> 00:10:28,947 happening to those military families . 254 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,969 So if I look at the , the sacrifices 255 00:10:32,979 --> 00:10:34,923 that veterans have made , it's not 256 00:10:34,923 --> 00:10:37,549 about just wearing the uniform . You 257 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:39,781 know , when you talk to veterans , it's 258 00:10:39,781 --> 00:10:41,837 important to realize and respect the 259 00:10:41,837 --> 00:10:44,059 fact that there's other sacrifices that 260 00:10:44,059 --> 00:10:46,003 they've made as well . Not only in 261 00:10:46,003 --> 00:10:48,281 deployments , but when they , you know , 262 00:10:48,281 --> 00:10:50,489 have gone through tough training or 263 00:10:50,500 --> 00:10:54,309 they are , um , required to be gone 264 00:10:54,539 --> 00:10:56,428 for any length of time from their 265 00:10:56,428 --> 00:10:58,595 families . You know , they have , they 266 00:10:58,595 --> 00:11:00,595 have families , they have spouses , 267 00:11:00,595 --> 00:11:02,595 they have Children , um , they have 268 00:11:02,595 --> 00:11:04,706 people that love them and are worried 269 00:11:04,706 --> 00:11:06,928 about them . So , um , when you look at 270 00:11:06,928 --> 00:11:09,510 veterans , it's also important to share 271 00:11:09,690 --> 00:11:11,746 that appreciation and respect to the 272 00:11:11,746 --> 00:11:14,659 families . Um , you know , the spouses 273 00:11:14,669 --> 00:11:16,447 that are left behind the stress 274 00:11:16,447 --> 00:11:18,613 additionally , that they have to carry 275 00:11:18,613 --> 00:11:20,558 the additional responsibilities of 276 00:11:20,558 --> 00:11:22,669 family life . You know , that doesn't 277 00:11:22,669 --> 00:11:24,669 ever end when , when the veteran is 278 00:11:24,669 --> 00:11:26,725 deployed . So it's important to have 279 00:11:26,725 --> 00:11:29,429 that respect and appreciation and the 280 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:32,039 empathy sometimes it's needed when you 281 00:11:32,049 --> 00:11:34,216 have veterans that are struggling with 282 00:11:34,216 --> 00:11:36,549 things as a , as a veteran or even as a , 283 00:11:36,549 --> 00:11:39,289 somebody that knows a veteran , you can 284 00:11:39,299 --> 00:11:41,521 be there and just hear them and support 285 00:11:41,521 --> 00:11:44,380 them sometimes that's all that they 286 00:11:44,390 --> 00:11:46,501 need and that's all that , you know , 287 00:11:46,501 --> 00:11:48,168 you need to do to make a good 288 00:11:48,168 --> 00:11:50,334 difference . I just want people to , I 289 00:11:50,334 --> 00:11:53,869 guess the appreciative 290 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,799 for all of the things that , that , 291 00:11:57,809 --> 00:11:59,976 that these people are , are willing to 292 00:11:59,976 --> 00:12:02,380 give up in order to make sure that we 293 00:12:02,390 --> 00:12:05,619 can come home every day . So , working 294 00:12:05,630 --> 00:12:08,869 with the L A , um yes , it does . Um 295 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:11,229 tend to make me think about the service 296 00:12:11,239 --> 00:12:13,780 and I do miss , you know , being in at , 297 00:12:13,789 --> 00:12:16,710 you know , the , the military . Um but 298 00:12:16,919 --> 00:12:19,119 the intrinsic motivator that motivates 299 00:12:19,130 --> 00:12:22,070 us all . Um You still have the customer 300 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:24,409 base , you serve the war , war fighter 301 00:12:24,419 --> 00:12:27,000 every day . There's definitely lots of 302 00:12:27,010 --> 00:12:29,270 pros for working with veterans because 303 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,549 in DL A , you know , our mission , we 304 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:33,719 provide , you know , logistics to the 305 00:12:33,729 --> 00:12:35,840 war fighter . You know , we are the 306 00:12:35,849 --> 00:12:39,039 nation's combat logistics agency and 307 00:12:39,049 --> 00:12:42,140 the fact that several of our civilians 308 00:12:42,250 --> 00:12:44,429 have previously served , that means 309 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:46,607 they have a good understanding of what 310 00:12:46,607 --> 00:12:48,718 veterans need and how , how important 311 00:12:48,718 --> 00:12:51,200 it is to support veterans . Um 312 00:12:51,210 --> 00:12:53,080 Therefore , it's , it's , it's 313 00:12:53,090 --> 00:12:56,109 extremely beneficial to have prior 314 00:12:56,119 --> 00:12:59,909 service personnel working in the agency . 315 00:13:00,409 --> 00:13:02,520 So working in the Federal Center is a 316 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:04,576 very unique situation . You have non 317 00:13:04,576 --> 00:13:06,631 veterans and you have veterans alike 318 00:13:06,631 --> 00:13:08,576 from all different backgrounds and 319 00:13:08,576 --> 00:13:10,798 services , all different ages , right ? 320 00:13:10,798 --> 00:13:12,909 You know , you have a , a plethora of 321 00:13:12,909 --> 00:13:15,020 different unique personalities . Um , 322 00:13:15,020 --> 00:13:17,187 and working with DL A is very unique , 323 00:13:17,187 --> 00:13:19,242 especially with Disposition services 324 00:13:19,242 --> 00:13:21,298 because I think we have a very close 325 00:13:21,298 --> 00:13:23,242 touch point to the military , um , 326 00:13:23,242 --> 00:13:25,353 customers that we serve . And so when 327 00:13:25,353 --> 00:13:27,298 you , when you look whether or not 328 00:13:27,298 --> 00:13:29,465 you're a veteran working here or not , 329 00:13:29,465 --> 00:13:31,520 you are connected very intimately to 330 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,950 the customer , which is active military 331 00:13:34,070 --> 00:13:36,609 and reservist . Um , so that's a unique 332 00:13:36,619 --> 00:13:39,729 perspective that I think , um , helps 333 00:13:39,739 --> 00:13:42,140 the camaraderie and the cohesiveness 334 00:13:42,150 --> 00:13:44,469 and just that , that motivation to do 335 00:13:44,479 --> 00:13:46,479 your job every day and do it to the 336 00:13:46,479 --> 00:13:48,423 best of your ability . It's , it's 337 00:13:48,423 --> 00:13:50,646 amazing to work with so many veterans . 338 00:13:50,646 --> 00:13:52,757 That's something that you don't get a 339 00:13:52,757 --> 00:13:54,868 lot of times in the civilian world to 340 00:13:54,868 --> 00:13:56,812 have such a high threshold of , of 341 00:13:56,812 --> 00:13:56,505 prior service working with you . And 342 00:13:56,515 --> 00:13:58,626 it's very nice . You , you don't know 343 00:13:58,626 --> 00:14:00,682 all the veterans , but we owe all of 344 00:14:00,682 --> 00:14:02,737 them and it's just a good feeling to 345 00:14:02,737 --> 00:14:04,904 know that there's so many , uh , other 346 00:14:04,904 --> 00:14:06,848 veterans around . We , we all have 347 00:14:06,848 --> 00:14:08,682 similar experience . And again , 348 00:14:08,682 --> 00:14:10,515 Veterans Day is all about , um , 349 00:14:10,515 --> 00:14:12,626 celebrating all the veterans who have 350 00:14:12,626 --> 00:14:14,737 served . These are people's lives and 351 00:14:14,737 --> 00:14:16,626 it's their history as well as our 352 00:14:16,626 --> 00:14:19,715 nation's history . So , um , 353 00:14:20,869 --> 00:14:23,750 take the time to stop and thank a 354 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:26,630 veteran for everything that they've 355 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:30,130 done for us . Well , you know , there's 356 00:14:30,140 --> 00:14:32,140 a country song , you know , freedom 357 00:14:32,140 --> 00:14:33,973 isn't free . And , uh , ee every 358 00:14:33,973 --> 00:14:36,196 veteran has contributed to that freedom 359 00:14:36,196 --> 00:14:38,473 that we have here in the United States . 360 00:14:38,619 --> 00:14:40,730 Um , whether you actually deployed in 361 00:14:40,730 --> 00:14:42,897 combat or not , you were still part of 362 00:14:42,897 --> 00:14:45,063 the team and every member of that team 363 00:14:45,063 --> 00:14:47,175 is important and every member of that 364 00:14:47,175 --> 00:14:47,039 team needs to be recognized and ought 365 00:14:47,049 --> 00:14:49,280 to be recognized . In my opinion , it's 366 00:14:49,289 --> 00:14:51,456 very important to observe Veterans Day 367 00:14:51,456 --> 00:14:53,622 because regardless of if you served or 368 00:14:53,622 --> 00:14:56,669 not , we are citizens of this country 369 00:14:56,679 --> 00:14:58,846 that enjoy all the liberties that were 370 00:14:58,846 --> 00:15:01,840 fought and earned . Um , by all the 371 00:15:01,849 --> 00:15:03,905 bloodshed and the brothers before us 372 00:15:03,905 --> 00:15:07,000 and sisters . When we bring up veterans , 373 00:15:07,010 --> 00:15:09,010 I would be remiss if I didn't spend 374 00:15:09,010 --> 00:15:11,200 some time highlighting the remarkable 375 00:15:11,210 --> 00:15:13,539 legacies of four individuals who share 376 00:15:13,549 --> 00:15:16,010 a close knit past with the building . 377 00:15:16,020 --> 00:15:18,630 We work in beginning with Percy Jones , 378 00:15:18,859 --> 00:15:20,970 his unwavering courage and dedication 379 00:15:20,970 --> 00:15:22,692 on the battlefield made him an 380 00:15:22,692 --> 00:15:25,059 inspiration to all after his military 381 00:15:25,070 --> 00:15:27,237 service . He continued to serve fellow 382 00:15:27,237 --> 00:15:28,737 veterans by pioneering the 383 00:15:28,737 --> 00:15:30,848 establishment of the Percy Jones Army 384 00:15:30,848 --> 00:15:33,014 Hospital , a vital institution for the 385 00:15:33,014 --> 00:15:34,959 care and rehabilitation of wounded 386 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,182 soldiers in the building where we stand 387 00:15:37,182 --> 00:15:40,109 in today . His legacy reminds us of the 388 00:15:40,119 --> 00:15:42,119 importance of not only honoring our 389 00:15:42,119 --> 00:15:44,175 veterans service , but also ensuring 390 00:15:44,175 --> 00:15:46,341 they receive the support and care they 391 00:15:46,341 --> 00:15:48,869 deserve upon their return home , Philip 392 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:51,340 Hart , a veteran of World War Two had a 393 00:15:51,349 --> 00:15:53,349 distinguished career in the US Army 394 00:15:53,380 --> 00:15:55,602 which laid the foundation for a life of 395 00:15:55,602 --> 00:15:57,530 public service . Hart's tireless 396 00:15:57,539 --> 00:16:00,099 efforts as United States Senator were 397 00:16:00,109 --> 00:16:01,887 spent advocating for a just and 398 00:16:01,887 --> 00:16:03,890 compassionate society on important 399 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:06,309 issues including landmark civil rights 400 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,210 legislation known as the Conscious of 401 00:16:09,219 --> 00:16:10,941 the Senate . Due to its strong 402 00:16:10,941 --> 00:16:12,941 principles , Hart was a champion of 403 00:16:12,941 --> 00:16:14,997 promoting the welfare and quality of 404 00:16:14,997 --> 00:16:17,020 life for all people . Bob Dole , 405 00:16:17,030 --> 00:16:19,141 another American hero not only served 406 00:16:19,141 --> 00:16:21,141 his country with distinction during 407 00:16:21,141 --> 00:16:23,308 World war two , but also dedicated his 408 00:16:23,308 --> 00:16:25,359 entire life to public service . His 409 00:16:25,369 --> 00:16:27,591 resilience and commitment to his fellow 410 00:16:27,591 --> 00:16:29,702 veterans were evident in his tireless 411 00:16:29,702 --> 00:16:32,070 advocacy for their rights and benefits . 412 00:16:32,630 --> 00:16:34,890 Bob Dole's service in Congress . His 413 00:16:34,900 --> 00:16:37,010 run for the presidency and his 414 00:16:37,020 --> 00:16:39,469 unwavering support for veterans causes 415 00:16:39,510 --> 00:16:41,454 have left an indelible mark on our 416 00:16:41,454 --> 00:16:44,070 nation . His example serves as a 417 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:46,539 testament to the enduring impact that 418 00:16:46,549 --> 00:16:48,700 veterans can have on our society when 419 00:16:48,710 --> 00:16:50,710 they continue to serve in different 420 00:16:50,710 --> 00:16:52,766 capacities . And as a major reason , 421 00:16:52,766 --> 00:16:54,869 his name graces our federal center , 422 00:16:56,010 --> 00:16:58,232 Daniel in no way was a highly decorated 423 00:16:58,232 --> 00:17:00,066 veteran of World War two and the 424 00:17:00,066 --> 00:17:02,066 recipient of the medal of honor who 425 00:17:02,066 --> 00:17:04,121 dedicated his life to the service of 426 00:17:04,121 --> 00:17:05,949 our country . Senator in Oe's 427 00:17:05,959 --> 00:17:08,015 incredible journey , took him from a 428 00:17:08,015 --> 00:17:10,430 young soldier to a respected statesman 429 00:17:10,489 --> 00:17:12,156 and exemplifies the spirit of 430 00:17:12,156 --> 00:17:14,739 determination and courage that defines 431 00:17:14,750 --> 00:17:17,420 our veterans . His legacy challenges 432 00:17:17,430 --> 00:17:19,597 each of us to persevere in the face of 433 00:17:19,597 --> 00:17:21,541 adversity and stand up for what is 434 00:17:21,541 --> 00:17:24,239 right in honor of his heroics on the 435 00:17:24,250 --> 00:17:26,599 battlefield . The US Navy dedicated a 436 00:17:26,609 --> 00:17:29,489 destroyer with the name US S Daniel in 437 00:17:29,589 --> 00:17:32,670 O A and in December of 2021 marked its 438 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:34,979 first official stop with its trademark 439 00:17:34,989 --> 00:17:37,839 go for broke battle flag flying high 440 00:17:38,459 --> 00:17:40,459 Hart and Dole . And in a way , were 441 00:17:40,459 --> 00:17:42,570 each wounded during their time in the 442 00:17:42,570 --> 00:17:44,792 military and each spent time recovering 443 00:17:44,792 --> 00:17:46,903 from their injuries within these very 444 00:17:46,903 --> 00:17:48,903 walls on this veterans day , let us 445 00:17:48,903 --> 00:17:51,070 rededicate ourselves to the principles 446 00:17:51,070 --> 00:17:53,237 that Percy Jones , Daniel , Eway , Bob 447 00:17:53,237 --> 00:17:55,520 Dole and Phil Hart and body service 448 00:17:55,689 --> 00:17:57,856 sacrifice and a commitment to the well 449 00:17:57,856 --> 00:17:59,849 being of our fellow Americans and 450 00:17:59,859 --> 00:18:02,800 particularly our veterans . Let us take 451 00:18:02,810 --> 00:18:04,921 a moment to reflect on the sacrifices 452 00:18:04,921 --> 00:18:06,977 made by our veterans and recommit to 453 00:18:06,977 --> 00:18:09,199 supporting them in every way possible . 454 00:18:09,750 --> 00:18:12,329 My , my message to veterans would say 455 00:18:12,339 --> 00:18:15,089 would be thank you for everything that 456 00:18:15,099 --> 00:18:17,819 you've done for the country . Thank you 457 00:18:17,829 --> 00:18:20,010 and your families for everything that 458 00:18:20,020 --> 00:18:22,650 they've done for the country . The 459 00:18:22,660 --> 00:18:24,771 words thank you are just , you know , 460 00:18:24,780 --> 00:18:26,836 is just the minimal that we can do . 461 00:18:26,836 --> 00:18:29,500 And I am very ecstatic at the fact that 462 00:18:29,510 --> 00:18:32,939 the country has a day just to honor you . 463 00:18:33,619 --> 00:18:35,675 It is well worth having this day for 464 00:18:35,675 --> 00:18:38,800 the country for you and for , for your 465 00:18:38,810 --> 00:18:41,359 families . So if I could send a Happy 466 00:18:41,369 --> 00:18:43,800 Veterans Day to veterans of the past 467 00:18:43,930 --> 00:18:47,439 and present , um I would say thank you 468 00:18:47,790 --> 00:18:49,679 just thank you for your service , 469 00:18:49,679 --> 00:18:51,790 whatever it was however long it was . 470 00:18:52,239 --> 00:18:54,439 Thank you for your service . Your , 471 00:18:54,449 --> 00:18:57,180 your service is not forgotten . We 472 00:18:57,189 --> 00:18:59,959 appreciate that and we will try to do 473 00:18:59,969 --> 00:19:02,420 our best to continue that legacy . So 474 00:19:02,430 --> 00:19:04,597 thank you . That would be my message . 475 00:19:04,597 --> 00:19:06,597 It's just thank you . Thank you for 476 00:19:06,597 --> 00:19:08,708 your service . I , I know that sounds 477 00:19:08,708 --> 00:19:10,849 contrite but , but it's true and uh I 478 00:19:10,859 --> 00:19:12,859 think every veteran deserves that . 479 00:19:12,859 --> 00:19:15,189 Thank you . Can you ever say thank you 480 00:19:15,199 --> 00:19:18,609 enough for what we have or what they've 481 00:19:18,619 --> 00:19:21,949 given ? Up to give to us . I don't 482 00:19:21,959 --> 00:19:25,810 think there's any words that I can 483 00:19:25,819 --> 00:19:26,439 say . 484 00:19:29,660 --> 00:19:33,099 They were truly , truly shut 485 00:19:33,829 --> 00:19:34,849 how much 486 00:19:38,410 --> 00:19:41,569 and it is to be , to be an American 487 00:19:45,300 --> 00:19:46,300 and , 488 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,290 and no , from both the sides of the 489 00:19:52,300 --> 00:19:55,459 coin , what it took 490 00:19:56,250 --> 00:19:57,469 to do your duty 491 00:20:00,010 --> 00:20:03,540 for what we have today . I know . 492 00:20:03,550 --> 00:20:07,310 Hopefully tomorrow . So 493 00:20:07,319 --> 00:20:10,030 thank you to everyone . Thank you .