Ladies and gentlemen . Your head table
for the A Usa George C . Marshall
memorial dinner ,
Sudha Villa A USa first region
President
Colonel Glenn Yarbrough , United States
Army Retired . A . Us a second region .
President
Bruce Lecter A . Us A third region .
President
Gus Rodriguez , A u S . 1/4 Region
President
Command Sergeant Major Rick Morris ,
United States Army Retired . A USA
fifth region President
Sergeant Major jerry Glasman , United
States Army Retired a USA sixth region
President ,
Lieutenant Colonel victor Conner ,
United States Army Retired a Usa
seventh region President ,
David Fulton , A U . S . A . European
region President
Colonel Benjamin , Look for United
States Army retired . A usa pacific
region . President
chaplain , Major general thomas ,
soldier . Chief of chaplains , United
States Army
Chief Warrant Officer , five Phyllis
Wilson , United States Army retired . A .
us a board of directors .
Sergeant Major of the Army ken Preston ,
United States Army retired . A US a
board of directors .
Ted Colbert , A U S . A Board of
directors .
Jim Cannon A US a board of directors .
Tom Arsenault A U . S . A . Board of
directors ,
Mark A . U . S . A . Board of directors
Andy ho A U . S . A Board of directors
scott Green A usa border directors .
Thanks .
Major General Patricia Hickerson ,
United States Army retired . A USA
border Directors .
Lieutenant General Larry Jordan ,
United States Army retired . A . Us a
board of directors .
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael
Greenstone
thomas robo . Deputy Chairman A . Us
A Board of Directors .
General Dennis Reimer . 33rd . Chief of
Staff of the Army , United States Army
retired . A . us a board of directors .
The president and chief executive
Officer of the Association of the
United States Army . General robert
Brown , United States Army , Retired
General James McConville The 40th Chief
of Staff of the Army ,
the honorable Christine Warmack ,
Secretary of the Army ,
Ladies and gentlemen , the 2022 awardee
of the George C Marshall Medal and our
guest of honor , the honorable
Elizabeth Dole .
Ladies and gentlemen , your 2022
marshall dinner , head table guests ,
Trio National emblem .
Ladies and gentlemen , it's an honor
for me to serve as your master of
ceremonies and welcome you to the USA
George C . Marshall memorial dinner .
We now invite you to stand for the
presentation of colors and the playing
of our national anthem followed by the
invocation by chaplain . Major General
thomas soldier um and please remain
standing for the retirement of the
colors .
Okay ,
early light . What so
proudly we hailed at the
twilight's last
whose bus rights and bright stars
were so gallantly
bombs worse .
Mhm . That off like war
still there .
That star spangled banner .
Okay
and
trio National
good evening ladies and gentlemen , In
a speech that he gave in 1941 prior to
America's entry into World War II ,
General George C marshall made the
following statement . It is a spirit
which endures to the end . The
determining factor in war is something
invisible and intangible . Something
wholly spiritual . The soldier will
fight if they have to fight with more
than their bodies their hands and their
material weapons , they will fight with
their very souls for one another to
preserve our freedoms . Ladies and
gentlemen , I ask that you join me this
evening in this very special occasion .
It is great to see you again in person .
I'm grateful for that . Would you
please join me in a word of prayer .
Lord , I thank you for your servant ,
George c marshall and for the legacy of
his leadership which continues to
inspire and inform our army's efforts
today . He said that the soldier's
heart , the soldier's spirit , the
soldier's soul are everything . Help us
to remember how true that is and as we
support our men and women in uniform
and honor the sacrifices of their
families , winning matters and the will
to win matters as well . So we ask that
you guide us and continue to grant us
leaders like George c marshall leaders
who understand that if we do not care
for the soul of this great army , then
we will no longer have a great army to
care for . Our leaders . Have committed
us to building the army of 2030 and
beyond . Grant us the grace to realize
this vision and as custodians of the
marshall legacy , teach us what it
means to invest in our people , to
connect them in spirit and to cultivate
community that we might strengthen our
army's will to live . Fight and win .
Bless your servant in this year's
Marshall award recipient , Elizabeth
Dole , whose contributions to this
great nation have impacted generations
of americans . Bless the wonderful meal
set before us this evening and bless
the United States of America . It is in
your most holy name that I pray . Amen .
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated
and enjoy your dinner .
Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome
the president of A U . S . A . General
robert Brown .
Well again , welcome . It's great to
have you with us . I want to recognize
some distinguished guests we have with
us today . First and foremost , Medal
of Honor recipient . 10 General Retired
bob . Foley bob . Please stand
so great to have you here and thank you
so much . Former secretaries of the
Army , the honorable robert Speer and
patrick Murphy .
Former recipients of the Marshall medal .
We have Sergeant Major of the Army ,
retired ken Preston who received it
last year , ken .
And we're honored to have with us .
Former Chief of Chiefs of Staff of the
Army . General Retired Dennis Reimer ,
33rd Chief of Staff and general Retired
eric Shinseki the 34th Chief of Staff
And a special welcome to a U . S . A .
Is former president and ceo . General
carter , ham carter .
He's gonna be mad at me for that one ,
but that's okay . It's worth it . He
deserves that . Former Sergeant Major
of the Army . Jack Tilley ken Preston .
Uh , Ray Chandler and dan Dailey .
Please stand
well . The Military district of
Washington commanded by Major General
Alain Pepin and his command . Sergeant
Major franklin velez has once again
provided excellent support . So thank
you . General Pepin and your team for
your contributions and success to this
year's annual meeting .
Also a huge thank you to the Secretary
of the Army and our Chief of Staff of
Army for their incredible support .
Thank you so much . It's just such an
honor .
Nothing like this happens without a lot
of hard work . So a huge thank you to
all the folks who've worked hard and
tirelessly to make this 2022 annual
meeting so successful . Thank you so
much to all of you .
Well , ladies and gentlemen , we are
here today , united in our love of
country and the profession of arms ,
concerned about our nation's security
and striving for peace in the world .
We take inspiration from the high
qualities of statesmanship and
leadership , present in the thoughts
and actions of general of the army
George , C marshall to whose enduring
memory . This award we present today is
dedicated as we look back at some of
the distinguished citizens who have
received the marshall medal . We
encouraged by their example in guiding
our nation too . Arduous times . People
like Eisenhower Bush Powell
scowcroft Albright and the american
soldier . These recipients have
distinguished themselves as presidents ,
statesmen , Ambassadors , Cabinet
Secretaries , Generals , Patriots one
and All this year we
recognized a distinguished american
Elizabeth Dole , A former
a former U . S . Senator two time
Cabinet Secretary , former leader of
the american Red Cross and founder of a
national organization that focuses on
support from military families and
caregivers . Her achievements
demonstrate her lifelong commitment to
service made even more impressive by
the fact that she was often among the
first , if not the first woman to hold
the position , Elizabeth Dole . Yes ,
Elizabeth was a patriot who believes in
the values that made this country great
courage , perseverance , generosity ,
faith and a commitment to serve . It's
my pleasure to present the highest
honor of the association to the
honorable Elizabeth Dole .
Would Senator Dole and mr Robbo please
join General Brown on the stage ,
the board of directors of the
Association of the United States Army
hereby awards the George Catlett
Marshall Medal to the honorable
Elizabeth Dole for selfless service to
the United States of America throughout
her extraordinary career and her
tireless efforts to support service
members and their families . Senator
Dole served six years in the Senate
after holding top administration jobs
in the johnson Nixon Ford , Reagan and
Bush administrations When she served as
Transportation Secretary . She had an
impact on all our lives by bringing
action to three major areas mandatory
seatbelts , airbags and raising the
drinking age to 21 taken
together she has saved over half a
million lives . She also spent eight
years as president of the american Red
Cross , leading a major transformation
in the way the organization collects
tests and distributes the national
nation's blood supply . Sen
Dole founded the Elizabeth Dole
Foundation dedicated to transforming
how our nation supports the 5.5 million
Americans caring for a wounded ,
injured or ill service member or
veteran at home , inspired by her
vision , the Foundation has
successfully advocated for the largest
expansion of military caregiver
benefits in history , grown a national
network of caregiver , friendly cities
and counties and created the most
trusted online community of military
caregivers . Recently the Foundation
worked with the White House is joining
forces program and wounded warrior
project to launch Hidden Helpers
an initiative benefiting the Children
of Military Caregivers . This year the
Foundation launched a financial
assistance fund for struggling
caregivers with the support of the bob
and Dolores Hope Foundation Elizabeth
Dole has had a lasting impact on the
United States more than its current
former and future soldiers and families
will ever know in awarding this medal .
We recognize her for all that she has
done is doing and will continue to
do
well . Good evening ladies and
gentlemen , what a privilege it is to
be with all of you tonight . Thank you
General Brown and everyone at a U . S .
A . For this tremendous honor and for
serving as the voice and champion of
the greatest army the world has ever
known . Yes ,
10 months ago , I sadly lost my
precious husband of 46 years Bob had
earned a number of titles in his life ,
but none filled him with as much pride
as the title American soldier .
Yes ,
Now that doesn't mean the army was an
immediate fit for Bob . Early on he was
assigned to the 10th mountain division
which which was designed to fight on
high mountain peaks in deep snow and in
bitter temperatures to fill its ranks .
The army recruited fur trappers , ski
patrollers , Woodsman forest rangers
and much to bob surprised a young man
from Kansas who had never seen a
mountain up close when bob
was deployed to Italy fitting in ,
didn't get any easier . His grizzle
soldiers did not give him the warmest
reception bob even saw a few men rolled
their eyes when he first introduced
himself . The bright eyed , impeccably
dressed second lieutenant would have to
prove his mettle and that's exactly
what bob did . Rather than keep to his
command tent . He ate with his soldiers
and shared jokes and when it came time
to go out on patrol he didn't position
himself in the middle of the formation
where it was safest his N . C . O .
Told him that that's where most
officers stay . But bob said no , I'll
take point . Was he scared to do it you
bet . But bob later explained , I
didn't know much about leadership at
that time , but instinct told me that a
leader had to be out front . He must be
willing to endure the fire rather than
hide from it or let somebody else take
the brunt of the blows . Well bob truly
lived up to that definition of a leader
when on april 14th 1945 he
led his platoon up the heavily mined
slopes of Italy's Hill 9 13
as the worst scenes of war enveloped
them , bob reached out to retrieve his
gravely injured radio man . In doing so .
He suffered devastating wounds which
hospitalized him for three years and
cost him the use of his right arm . How
proud I was when in 2001 a
usa honored Bob with the Marshall Medal .
Yes . Okay ,
let me share with you the words of
actor tom Hanks which touched my heart
when he was speaking at the World War
Two Memorial earlier this year . How
many structures in the nation's capital
exist but for the efforts of one man
Hanks asked the National World War Two
Memorial was built over two White House
administrations with the financial
contributions of americans . But it was
bob Dole who willed this memorial into
place . He pushed the idea , he
corralled the votes , he made the phone
calls , he enlisted allies , all of us
in the calls and he raised the money .
He did all but mixed the concrete
himself which he may have done had he
had the use of that right arm .
Yes bob . Thank you
As Bob's partner in life and as a proud
American who cherishes our freedoms . I
am ever grateful for the generations of
Americans who have joined Bob in
wearing the army uniform and I so
appreciate a U . S . A . is dedicated
work for the last 72 years . You have
devoted yourselves to ensuring our
country provides the army the resources
it needs . And that America gives our
unwavering support not only to the
extraordinary men and women who
volunteer to serve , but to their loved
ones as well . For much of my life I
felt I understood the sacrifices made
by military families . I was only a
young girl during World War II , but my
brother John was 13 years my senior and
eligible to serve when he was sent off
to the Pacific aboard the Wyndham Bay .
My mother constantly interrupted my
radio programs to turn on the news in
hopes of being reassured in some way
about John , she made so many trips to
the mailbox that I did my best to flood
her with postcards when I went away to
summer camp . It was just 12 years
ago . However , when my eyes were first
open to the challenges of some very
special military families , But I was
hospitalized at Walter Reed for 11
months and I got to know the young
spouses , mothers , dads and siblings
caring for their severely wounded
warriors . Coming back from Iraq and
Afghanistan . one of the caregivers I
met was Jessica Allen , her husband ,
army staff sergeant Chaz Allen had just
been evacuated from Afghanistan after
stepping on an I . E . D . He lost both
legs above the knees and suffered
severe injuries to his right arm ,
Jessica decided to keep their young
daughters at home until their dad could
recover more for five months . She flew
back and forth between Tennessee and
Washington trying her best to be a wife
mom . And now a caregiver
Chance remained hospitalized at Walter
Reed for 16 months while Jessica
organised all of his care and began
homeschooling their daughters so they
could all stay by his side after he was
allowed to return home , Jessica
coordinated the special adaptations to
their house . She served as the lead
parent and managed the unending medical
appointments and paperwork . Even as
Chaz's health has stabilized his fused
elbow means Jessica will always help
him with shaving , buttoning his shirts
and pretty much anything requiring two
hands . As I became invested in the
lives of these caregivers , I began to
believe that we were dealing with the
new phenomenon in this country .
Battlefield medicine was so improved
that many who would have died in former
wars were surviving thank goodness .
But of that group of survivors , so
many came home with multiple wounds ,
illnesses and injuries that required a
caregiver for years , even decades ,
With less than 1% serving in the
military . Most Americans had no idea
what was happening in military families .
I knew we had to raise awareness and
support . So I established the
Elizabeth Dole foundation .
Thank you .
Thank you . Our very first step was
to commission the rand Corporation to
undertake comprehensive evidence based
research rand told us there are 5.5
million military caregivers . In
America many bathing , feeding ,
dressing , the severely wounded ,
handling medications , arranging
doctor's appointments and trying to
prevent triggers that could set off an
emotional response that can last for
hours all while raising kids and acting
as the sole breadwinner for the family .
America's military caregivers are
essentially an unpaid workforce
providing $14 billion dollars worth of
care every year . But ladies and
gentlemen , these extraordinary
americans never expected to serve as
caregivers and our nation has never
prepared them train them or provide
them with adequate support . As a
result , military caregivers report
elevated rates of emotional anxiety ,
physical illness and chronic pain
higher than those reported by civilian
caregivers . Their time is often
consumed with managing legal issues and
applying for benefits . Frequently they
become socially isolated and
experienced strain within their
families . During the last 10 years ,
our foundation has responded directly
to these findings . We learned that
respite is the caregivers number one
need . So we created a respite relief
program that provides a professional to
step in and briefly care for the
wounded warrior . To give that burned
out caregiver some relief and research
uncovered gaps . Thank you .
Our research uncovered gaps and
benefits and resources . So we helped
pass major legislation to vastly expand
services and support across the
Department of Veterans Affairs D . O .
D . And other agencies at the national
state and local levels Through Hidden
Heroes Cities . We formed a network of
almost 200 communities to offer
caregivers resources and support right
where they live . And because we knew
government couldn't be the only
solution . We built a coalition of more
than 400 partners who have developed
scores of new caregiver programs ,
including our most recent direct
service , a financial relief fund ,
which is rescuing vulnerable caregivers
from mounting bills and debt . Our
foundation is also anticipating the
challenges of the future . Our research
tells us that one of the most alarming
trends is the impact of caregiving on
Children in the home . 2.3 million
Children . These hidden Helpers are not
grown ups who chose to serve their
nation . They are Children whose young
lives have been suddenly interrupted
and forever change . Their innocence is
lost as they watched their parents care
for the types of wounds that only come
from war . Their precious time with mom
or dad is cut short . They miss out on
their childhood trading in the
milestones and special moments to help
with caregiving . Clearly our mission
remains urgent and it will well
into the future . As former presidents
of the american red Cross general
Marshall and I both followed in the
wake of Clara Barton , the angel of the
battlefield who once said , you must
never so much as think whether you like
it or not , whether it is bearable or
not , you must never think of anything
except the need and how to meet it .
In my foundation's 1st 10 years , we
have created systems of caregiver
support where none had existed . We
have shown our nation that caring for
those who have borne the battle must
also include supporting those who care
for them at home . And we have begun to
weave caregivers into the fabric of our
nation's appreciation of the military ,
the progress we've been proud to make .
Certainly a credit to the leadership of
our ceo steve Schwab and the amazing
team that we're blessed to have
carrying out our work . Though I also
give credit to our Foundation's
philosophy that caring for our hidden
heroes is not a republican cause or
democratic cause . It's not something
for only the folks in middle America to
care about our friends along the coast
or all of us Here in the beltway . Our
Foundation intentionally chose to
awaken the entire nation to the crisis
facing caregivers . And I'm proud to
say that the entire nation is
responding . Mhm .
Unfortunately , this approach almost
seems novel today , doesn't it ? The
voices of divisiveness seem to be
drowning out the voices of compassion
and unity . Rediscovering our national
unity begins with regaining our trust
in each other . President Truman and
marshall medal recipient once said , I
grew up to look for the good in people .
I've never regarded people with
suspicion for such an attitude usually
leads to worrying yourself into being a
pessimist about everything . People
included . Ladies and gentlemen , our
nation has become too focused on
artificial labels and differences and
we have allowed them to divide us . We
must reverse this troubling tide .
Yes ,
yes .
Right . Being in
the presence of those who have worn the
army uniform always gives me hope that
the seeds of unity and service remain
fertile in America as general Marshall
asserted in the aftermath of World War
Two . It is to you , men and women of
this great citizen army who carried
this nation to victory that we must
look to for leadership in the critical
years ahead . How right he was
for nearly 2.5 centuries , the United
States Army has been a sterling example
of the unity that flourishes and the
greatness that can be achieved when
proud americans commit themselves to
service with every young american who
pledges an oath to our nation with
every soldier who summons the courage
to face grave threats or bring comfort
to scenes of disaster with every army
family who provides unending support to
their soldier and serves as their
caregiver . I see the
majesty of our beloved nation
and our capacity and strength for
overcoming the seemingly
impossible . May God bless the
american soldier and each of you
and may he continue to bless the United
States of America . Thank you .
Thank you . Yeah ,
just wonderful . Just wonderful .
Absolutely wonderful , much more
handsome guy there . That was wonderful
man ,
wow ! Thank you Senator
Dole . That was just a powerful and
inspirational speech . Thank you so
much .
And now , ladies and gentlemen , I'm
pleased to present to you the United
States Army band Downrange led by
master sergeant dan roberts ,
I'm just going and
I'm still ,
I'm just go
and this way ,
come on ,
good evening everyone . It is truly an
honor for us to be here with you
tonight . We hope you've enjoyed the
facilities going on throughout the past
couple of days . And as we gather
together to celebrate and recognize
wonderful people here in our country .
Senator Dole . We have a special just
for you . I heard from a little bird
that this song has a special place in
your heart because of the talent that
we have in our group , we decided to
put a little twist to a frank Sinatra
classic . So sit back ,
enjoy and thank you very much for all
that you've done
is a many splendored things . It's
that only grows in the early spring .
Love is nature's way of
reason to be . Didn't
that make ?
And what ? Hi . Yeah .
In Missed two Lovers Kiss and
good still . And your fingers such my
silent heart .
Yes ,
come on fellas .
Hi .
Mhm .
To love us still .
Then your fingers touch my silence .
Mhm
Many split
jane
Staff Sergeant Clay pritchard on tenor
saxophone and master sergeant chad
leader on guitar .
Senator Dole . We're obviously here to
honor you tonight but I just want to
express my gratitude and thanks for all
the aid and the support that you've
given the families and the frontline
workers that have kept our wounded
soldiers , our servicemen and women
safe and helping them . So thank you
for that . Um You know
if they're anything like us old
soldiers , they don't like to ask for
help and yet you and your foundation
were there to freely give it . Um and
so I think I speak for all of downrange
and everyone here when I say thank you ,
thank you . Thank you for helping the
ones that help us
when you
feeling small ,
I will try
when times
two .
Mhm
And when you're down
when you are ST
me so
I will comfort you .
Darkness
I .
Mhm
If you
I'm cool
some
you breaker .
I'm
two .
They're such
you see
after
my Huckleberry friend ,
I guess I'm about you but I'm I'm
having trouble talking . That was so
moving . It's unbelievable .
An incredible example of our amazing
soldiers . Thank you so much . Just
absolutely incredible . Thank you .
Thanks
Huh Senator Dole . Thank you for
allowing us to recognize your
incredible selfless service . You're an
amazing person and we are so honored
to be able to recognize you tonight .
Thank you .
Well these soldiers behind me are just
incredible credit to our army , our
nation . And thanks for your help to
make our George C marshall presentation
presentation . A truly memorable
experience . I just asked you please
remember our great men and women of the
United States Army , both Active Guard
and Reserve the Total Army who are
serving around the world , keep them in
your thoughts and prayers and please
now stand and join me in singing the
Army song
Super Fight .
Okay , we have done
then . It's high , High Army is on its
way .
You will always go
unbelievable , incredible .
Ladies and gentlemen , this concludes
the 2022 A . U . S . A .
We look forward to singing you again
next year .