WEBVTT 00:00.629 --> 00:02.962 Good morning . My name is James Sanders . 00:02.962 --> 00:04.851 I'm the director here at Quantico 00:04.851 --> 00:07.073 National Cemetery and I will be your MC 00:07.073 --> 00:10.270 for today . All who is able , please 00:10.279 --> 00:12.800 stand for the presentation of colors 00:12.810 --> 00:16.649 and the national anthem . The US 00:16.659 --> 00:18.715 Space Force Color Guard will present 00:18.930 --> 00:21.420 the colors , the Fife and drum will 00:21.430 --> 00:23.430 perform the national anthem . 01:24.940 --> 01:26.319 Others who 01:28.819 --> 01:29.269 and 02:39.539 --> 02:40.750 right . Hold on . 03:48.910 --> 03:50.910 Thank you for that beautiful Rees . 03:51.979 --> 03:54.179 Please remain standing for the 03:54.190 --> 03:56.330 invocation by Reverend Carol Ramsey 03:56.339 --> 03:58.990 Lucas , our VA chief of chaplain 03:59.000 --> 03:59.789 service . 04:03.970 --> 04:06.320 Please be with me in your attitude of 04:06.330 --> 04:10.309 prayer or meditation , gracious spirit 04:10.320 --> 04:12.699 of service and support . We gather 04:12.839 --> 04:16.320 today in recognition and celebration of 04:16.329 --> 04:18.385 the National Cemetery Administration 04:18.385 --> 04:20.820 and the many many employees who have 04:20.829 --> 04:23.190 dedicated their working lives to 04:23.200 --> 04:25.359 supporting veterans , their families 04:25.369 --> 04:28.429 and friends . It is sacred work to 04:28.440 --> 04:30.649 journey with others in that journey 04:30.660 --> 04:33.299 towards burial and internment . We ask 04:33.309 --> 04:35.750 blessings to be upon all those who have 04:35.760 --> 04:38.739 labored , continue to labor and will do 04:38.750 --> 04:40.583 so in the future of the National 04:40.583 --> 04:42.890 Cemetery Administration , knowing that 04:42.899 --> 04:45.959 this work will not end bolster this 04:45.970 --> 04:48.369 administration to remain steadfast in 04:48.380 --> 04:50.760 their calling , guide them in patience 04:50.769 --> 04:53.359 and compassion , renew their spirit . 04:53.369 --> 04:55.640 When the work seems exhausting and 04:55.649 --> 04:57.600 remind them of the sacred duty to 04:57.609 --> 04:59.831 support our nation's service members to 04:59.831 --> 05:03.230 their final rest . May this service be 05:03.239 --> 05:05.640 blessed ? May this ground and the v 05:05.649 --> 05:07.705 cemeteries throughout the country be 05:07.705 --> 05:10.440 blessed and honored as hallowed for the 05:10.450 --> 05:13.519 work they do for service members in 05:13.529 --> 05:16.089 recognition of this beautiful day and 05:16.100 --> 05:18.322 the great work of the National Cemetery 05:18.322 --> 05:20.820 Administration . We say amen . 05:25.350 --> 05:27.572 Thank you gentlemen for those remarks . 05:27.779 --> 05:28.890 You may be seated . 05:32.399 --> 05:34.660 It's my pleasure to welcome you to one 05:34.670 --> 05:36.781 of the most beautiful cemetery in the 05:36.781 --> 05:38.559 country . To all the veterans , 05:38.559 --> 05:40.281 families of veterans , various 05:40.281 --> 05:42.239 organizations , senior government 05:42.250 --> 05:45.910 officials , dignitaries , va employees 05:45.920 --> 05:48.440 and everyone who is here to celebrate 05:48.679 --> 05:52.309 the NC 1/50 anniversary . 05:52.980 --> 05:56.859 Welcome . We have an awesome program 05:56.869 --> 05:59.459 planned for you today . The seating may 05:59.470 --> 06:02.119 look a little strange . It's tilted a 06:02.130 --> 06:04.440 little bit because of the performance 06:04.450 --> 06:06.617 that's going to be coming and once you 06:06.617 --> 06:08.728 see them , you'll understand why we , 06:08.728 --> 06:11.061 why we arranging our seating here today . 06:12.480 --> 06:14.702 I'd like to special welcome some of our 06:14.702 --> 06:17.609 honored guests , Secretary mcdonna , 06:18.929 --> 06:21.549 newly sworn in VA Deputy Secretary 06:21.649 --> 06:25.200 Tanya Braer , former acting Deputy 06:25.209 --> 06:29.160 Secretary , Guy Ko , Deputy Chief of 06:29.170 --> 06:31.950 Staff , Marine Elias , Lieutenant 06:31.959 --> 06:34.470 General S US , Marine Corps Commanding 06:34.480 --> 06:36.829 General Training and Education Command 06:36.839 --> 06:40.079 right next door at Quantico , the 06:40.089 --> 06:43.980 honorable Vera Sarai acting dod 06:43.989 --> 06:45.822 undersecretary for personnel and 06:45.822 --> 06:49.329 readiness , Anthony , former Secretary 06:49.339 --> 06:52.660 of Department of Affairs M Karen Durham 06:53.670 --> 06:55.726 Aguilera and Sergeant major , Donnie 06:55.726 --> 06:58.149 Davis , the leadership from Arlington 06:58.160 --> 07:01.089 National Cemetery Randy Rees , former 07:01.100 --> 07:03.211 undersecretary for Memorial affairs , 07:03.429 --> 07:06.480 MS Joanne Kirk Webb , former director 07:06.489 --> 07:09.359 of the National Cemetery System and the 07:09.369 --> 07:11.839 many seniors va staff , veterans , 07:11.850 --> 07:15.359 organizers and the dod officials . 07:15.549 --> 07:18.529 Thanks also to my team . Stand in the 07:18.540 --> 07:20.484 back . The chronicle team . Please 07:20.484 --> 07:23.329 stand up real quick . These are the men 07:23.339 --> 07:25.283 and women that keeps the grounds . 07:30.839 --> 07:34.529 Thank you . We're here to 07:34.540 --> 07:36.318 celebrate the National Cemetery 07:36.318 --> 07:39.019 Administration 50th anniversary and his 07:39.029 --> 07:41.980 legacy of outstanding customer service 07:41.989 --> 07:44.211 to those who serve and their families . 07:44.440 --> 07:46.496 The NC A announced earlier this year 07:46.496 --> 07:48.890 for the seventh consecutive time . It 07:48.920 --> 07:51.200 led all organization , both public and 07:51.209 --> 07:53.519 private in the prestigious American 07:53.529 --> 07:56.570 customer satisfaction index that 07:56.579 --> 07:59.660 demonstrate NC A is veteran centric and 07:59.670 --> 08:01.690 committed to exceeding customer 08:01.700 --> 08:04.450 expectations . Although I worked for 08:04.459 --> 08:06.681 the NCA , I had the experience of being 08:06.681 --> 08:09.160 a customer of the NC A when my father , 08:09.200 --> 08:11.422 an army veteran passed away three years 08:11.422 --> 08:14.049 ago , my mom who was here 08:15.209 --> 08:18.540 as my mom would wave also , 08:20.450 --> 08:22.506 also my daughter and my grand and my 08:22.506 --> 08:24.506 three grandsons and I hope they are 08:24.506 --> 08:28.470 quiet . But my mom , we , we had that 08:28.480 --> 08:31.420 experience as many does when you lose a 08:31.429 --> 08:35.049 loved one and we're still feeling the 08:35.059 --> 08:38.080 effects of losing a loved one . We 08:38.090 --> 08:40.201 remember going through those grieving 08:40.201 --> 08:42.609 process and we still are grieving . We 08:42.659 --> 08:44.809 remember contacting family members , 08:44.820 --> 08:46.799 contacting the insurance companies 08:46.859 --> 08:49.440 making funeral arrangements . It was a 08:49.450 --> 08:52.219 lot to deal with in a difficult time in 08:52.229 --> 08:54.840 our lives . And I'm not just saying 08:54.849 --> 08:57.071 that because I work here . But this was 08:57.071 --> 08:59.390 a bright spot of it all was our contact 08:59.400 --> 09:01.320 with the NC A starting with the 09:01.330 --> 09:03.163 scheduling office and through my 09:03.163 --> 09:05.219 connection with Great Lakes National 09:05.219 --> 09:07.386 Cemetery , which is where my father is 09:07.386 --> 09:10.200 laid to rest . So it's personal with me 09:10.210 --> 09:12.210 when it comes to providing customer 09:12.210 --> 09:14.559 service . And I'm proud to be part of 09:14.570 --> 09:16.919 this team that provides that same 09:16.929 --> 09:20.039 service to others . So again , we're 09:20.049 --> 09:22.859 here to celebrate 50 years but not just 09:22.869 --> 09:26.239 50 years but 50 years of excellence to 09:26.250 --> 09:28.083 include excellence and gravesite 09:28.083 --> 09:30.049 appearance , excellent and overall 09:30.059 --> 09:32.330 cemetery appearance , excellence in 09:32.340 --> 09:35.099 service , excellence in the overall 09:35.109 --> 09:37.330 experience . Excellent at being the 09:37.340 --> 09:40.200 cemetery of choice in the time of need . 09:40.900 --> 09:44.150 And with that is a great place to start 09:44.159 --> 09:46.215 off with remarks other than our very 09:46.215 --> 09:48.570 own undersecretary for memorial affairs , 09:48.580 --> 09:51.609 Matt T . Quinn , the honorable Matt T . 09:51.619 --> 09:53.880 Quinn was nominated by President Biden 09:54.109 --> 09:56.109 and confirmed by the Senate on June 09:56.109 --> 09:59.210 17th , 2021 to serve as 1/7 09:59.219 --> 10:01.760 undersecretary for Memorial Affairs . 10:01.849 --> 10:04.960 He leads 100 and 55 va national 10:04.969 --> 10:08.354 cemeteries and 22 va grant funded 10:08.364 --> 10:10.835 cemeteries and territorial and tribal 10:10.844 --> 10:12.994 veterans cemeteries and providing a 10:13.005 --> 10:15.554 dignified burial , national shrines for 10:15.565 --> 10:17.705 our veterans and eligible family 10:17.715 --> 10:19.937 members . Ladies and gentlemen , please 10:19.937 --> 10:21.882 welcome the honorable Matt Quinn . 10:32.190 --> 10:35.640 Yeah , good morning , everybody . 10:35.650 --> 10:38.710 Thanks for being here . Joining us here 10:38.719 --> 10:41.479 at Quantico National Cemetery , Mr 10:41.489 --> 10:43.739 Secretary and to my friend , the newly 10:43.750 --> 10:47.219 sworn in Deputy Secretary , MS Tanya 10:47.229 --> 10:50.830 Bratcher our deck . How awesome is that 10:53.150 --> 10:55.372 one other incredible leader that I want 10:55.372 --> 10:57.317 to mention that's here today . And 10:57.317 --> 11:00.900 that's MS Karen Durham Aguilera KD A as 11:00.909 --> 11:04.299 she goes by is a true partner in 11:04.309 --> 11:07.239 ensuring those who have served and 11:07.250 --> 11:10.359 those who have sacrificed are providing 11:10.530 --> 11:13.890 or provided a national shrine a forever 11:13.900 --> 11:16.809 place of rest of beauty and honor . And 11:16.820 --> 11:19.070 KD A does that so well . And as she 11:19.080 --> 11:21.380 says , there will only ever be one 11:21.390 --> 11:23.409 Arlington National KD A . It's 11:23.419 --> 11:25.419 absolutely true . Great to have you 11:25.419 --> 11:27.697 here to the other distinguished guests . 11:27.697 --> 11:30.469 Thanks for joining us . Thank you all 11:30.479 --> 11:32.500 for helping us celebrate this very 11:32.510 --> 11:34.770 special milestone for the National 11:34.780 --> 11:38.010 Cemetery Administration . As we mark 50 11:38.020 --> 11:40.450 years of service to our country , to 11:40.460 --> 11:43.309 our veterans cemetery director , James 11:43.320 --> 11:45.542 Sanders , a good friend . Thank you for 11:45.542 --> 11:47.209 that kind introduction . More 11:47.209 --> 11:49.376 importantly , thank you for everything 11:49.376 --> 11:51.542 you and your team members have done to 11:51.542 --> 11:55.020 make this ceremony to a reality for 11:55.030 --> 11:57.141 those of you who do not know James is 11:57.141 --> 12:00.739 not just a long time NC A employee 12:01.179 --> 12:04.400 who is an outstanding director and has 12:04.409 --> 12:06.576 been for numerous cemeteries . He is a 12:06.576 --> 12:09.599 disabled Navy Navy veteran . He is also 12:09.799 --> 12:11.929 as you can tell in his remarks , an 12:11.940 --> 12:14.820 ordained minister , James truly 12:14.830 --> 12:16.552 embodies the spirit of all our 12:16.552 --> 12:19.150 employees who play such importance in 12:19.159 --> 12:22.210 caring for the final in place of our 12:22.219 --> 12:24.640 veterans who have served and their 12:24.650 --> 12:27.219 family members who have sacrificed for 12:27.229 --> 12:29.960 that service . James is the leader of 12:29.969 --> 12:32.840 an outstanding hard working team . Team 12:32.849 --> 12:35.340 Quantico that has been very busy all 12:35.349 --> 12:37.880 year , especially over the past several 12:37.890 --> 12:40.280 weeks . Team Quantico , thanks again 12:40.289 --> 12:43.260 for you all you do and your hard work . 12:43.890 --> 12:46.112 Hey , first , I'd like to take a moment 12:46.112 --> 12:48.001 to acknowledge the dedicated team 12:48.001 --> 12:50.599 members who made this ceremony possible 12:51.440 --> 12:53.799 while this ceremony marks nca's 50th 12:53.809 --> 12:56.320 anniversary planning for this ceremony 12:56.330 --> 12:58.919 has been a whole of va effort along 12:58.929 --> 13:01.469 with our friends and partners from VA 13:01.479 --> 13:04.729 and VA and my good friend Sue Fin at V 13:04.750 --> 13:06.950 Office of Public and Intergovernmental 13:06.960 --> 13:10.440 Affairs , NC Office of Engagement and 13:10.450 --> 13:12.880 Memorial Innovations led by Mr Danny 13:12.890 --> 13:15.510 Devine has come through all year 13:15.929 --> 13:18.169 honoring our 50th anniversary , 13:18.784 --> 13:21.065 designing our official logo and the 13:21.075 --> 13:23.674 lapel pins . Many of you are wearing , 13:23.684 --> 13:25.906 if you're not wearing one , you can get 13:25.906 --> 13:28.325 one here at the end of the ceremony and 13:28.335 --> 13:30.674 designing and distributing the special 13:30.684 --> 13:33.395 edition of the VA S Vanguard magazine . 13:33.534 --> 13:35.756 Again , those are available back at one 13:35.756 --> 13:38.375 of the tables . Thank you to everyone 13:38.385 --> 13:40.244 at NCAS Office of Engagement and 13:40.255 --> 13:43.234 Memorial Innovations . I'd like to also 13:43.244 --> 13:45.320 welcome two of my predecessors here 13:45.330 --> 13:47.989 today , Joanne Webb , who served as 13:48.000 --> 13:49.889 Director of the National Cemetery 13:49.969 --> 13:52.859 System from 1989 to 13:52.869 --> 13:55.719 1991 . Prior to that , she worked in 13:55.729 --> 13:58.549 several key positions within the VA and 13:58.559 --> 14:01.150 was an original member of VA S advisory 14:01.159 --> 14:04.799 committee on women veterans from 1983 14:04.909 --> 14:08.440 to 1986 . And as importantly , an army 14:08.450 --> 14:12.445 officer and a Vietnam veteran . Also 14:12.455 --> 14:15.265 my immediate predecessor , Randy Reeves 14:15.414 --> 14:17.414 who helped make sure I got off to a 14:17.414 --> 14:19.358 good start in this position . Some 14:19.358 --> 14:21.525 would argue , didn't do that good of a 14:21.525 --> 14:23.525 job . Randy served in the air force 14:23.525 --> 14:25.803 before becoming an officer in the Navy . 14:25.803 --> 14:27.970 He's a veteran of the Persian Gulf War 14:27.970 --> 14:30.515 and the global war on terror . Randy 14:30.525 --> 14:33.094 did a great job as undersecretary for 14:33.104 --> 14:35.325 memorial affairs . My point was 14:35.335 --> 14:37.446 training me , maybe he didn't do that 14:37.455 --> 14:40.270 good of a job . We are very glad both 14:40.280 --> 14:42.280 of you can join us today . You both 14:42.280 --> 14:44.169 helped this organization grow and 14:44.169 --> 14:46.369 improve its ability to serve veterans 14:46.570 --> 14:48.750 and their families . We're also 14:48.760 --> 14:50.649 grateful for the service of other 14:50.649 --> 14:52.704 former NCA leaders who express their 14:52.710 --> 14:55.390 regrets not being able to be here today . 14:56.010 --> 14:58.229 They include under secretary Robin 14:58.239 --> 15:00.989 Higgins . Mrs Higgins , a 20 year 15:01.000 --> 15:03.239 veteran of the Marine Corps . I would 15:03.250 --> 15:06.166 point out that Colonel William R . 15:06.185 --> 15:09.935 Higgins is interred here at Quantico as 15:09.945 --> 15:11.723 a Marine Corps Colonel . He was 15:11.723 --> 15:13.856 kidnapped by terrorists in Lebanon in 15:13.866 --> 15:17.596 1988 and executed . Mrs 15:17.606 --> 15:19.439 Higgins was a long time veterans 15:19.439 --> 15:20.939 advocate and she served as 15:20.939 --> 15:24.895 undersecretary from 2001 until 2002 . 15:25.356 --> 15:27.815 We thank Mrs Higgins for her service 15:27.986 --> 15:30.831 and her sacrifice . This morning , we 15:30.841 --> 15:33.231 will also honor the longest serving NCA 15:33.242 --> 15:35.791 team members . They are sitting in the 15:35.802 --> 15:37.858 front row and we will have a special 15:37.858 --> 15:39.691 recognition later this morning . 15:39.691 --> 15:41.580 Personally , I want to express my 15:41.580 --> 15:43.822 gratitude and my admiration to each of 15:43.831 --> 15:47.552 you for serving NC A so long and so 15:47.562 --> 15:50.671 loyally . No one will ever know how 15:50.682 --> 15:52.849 many lives you have touched throughout 15:52.849 --> 15:55.440 your dedicated careers . Yet each of 15:55.450 --> 15:57.780 those family members know what you did 15:57.789 --> 16:00.890 for them to recognize their loved ones . 16:00.900 --> 16:04.880 Service on September 1st , 1973 16:04.890 --> 16:07.489 the V assumed responsibility for the 16:07.500 --> 16:09.840 national Cemetery system from the US 16:09.849 --> 16:12.599 Army . Let me offer some perspective as 16:12.609 --> 16:14.880 to how things have changed in the past 16:15.000 --> 16:18.010 half century . 50 years ago , a gallon 16:18.020 --> 16:21.119 of gasoline cost 39 cents back then , 16:21.130 --> 16:23.352 you could probably fill your tank for a 16:23.352 --> 16:25.463 little more than the current price of 16:25.463 --> 16:27.463 one gallon . The car you would have 16:27.463 --> 16:29.519 filled up , but that time might have 16:29.519 --> 16:31.796 cost $4000 today . The average price of 16:31.806 --> 16:34.495 a car is more than 10 times that the 16:34.505 --> 16:37.315 average cost for a house in 1973 was 16:37.325 --> 16:41.156 $35,500 . Today , the 16:41.166 --> 16:43.645 average is well over 400,000 and just 16:43.656 --> 16:45.656 coming back from Montana . They are 16:45.656 --> 16:47.823 meeting that average . I can guarantee 16:47.823 --> 16:50.806 you specific to NC 50 years ago . There 16:50.815 --> 16:54.291 were 103 cemeteries today . There are 16:54.302 --> 16:57.882 155 in 1973 . The V 16:57.892 --> 16:59.971 funded no veterans cemeteries at the 16:59.981 --> 17:03.101 state , territorial or tribal level . 17:03.442 --> 17:07.182 Today , we fund 122 . Looking 17:07.192 --> 17:10.682 back to 1973 we estimate that 17:10.692 --> 17:14.102 national cemeteries cover just 58% 17:14.472 --> 17:17.651 of the veteran population today . I'm 17:17.661 --> 17:20.612 proud to say that we cover nearly 94% 17:20.900 --> 17:23.011 of the veteran population and this is 17:23.011 --> 17:25.150 only possible due to our partnership 17:25.160 --> 17:28.069 with States , tribes and territories . 17:28.859 --> 17:30.859 Yet , as we continue to improve the 17:30.859 --> 17:32.970 National Cemetery Administration , we 17:32.970 --> 17:35.026 continuously look for ways to ensure 17:35.026 --> 17:37.729 all veterans . No NCA is there for all 17:37.739 --> 17:40.560 of them and their families . At N we 17:40.569 --> 17:42.736 continue to answer the challenge to do 17:42.736 --> 17:45.329 better for veterans and their families . 17:46.010 --> 17:48.232 I am honored today to announce a change 17:48.232 --> 17:50.288 that will help veterans of this area 17:50.288 --> 17:52.232 who might be making determinations 17:52.232 --> 17:54.399 related to where they would like to be 17:54.399 --> 17:56.390 laid to rest . More and more . In 17:56.400 --> 17:58.400 recent years , we have learned that 17:58.400 --> 18:00.599 even some local veterans believe that 18:00.609 --> 18:02.609 this cemetery is here to just serve 18:02.609 --> 18:04.680 marines , specifically , those who 18:04.689 --> 18:06.911 might have been stationed at the nearby 18:06.911 --> 18:09.660 historical Quantico Marine Corps Base 18:10.239 --> 18:12.239 in order to ensure all veterans are 18:12.239 --> 18:14.709 aware of this beautiful final resting 18:14.719 --> 18:17.619 place . Today , I'm honored to 18:17.630 --> 18:19.819 introduce Quantico National Cemetery's 18:19.829 --> 18:22.400 new name , the National Memorial 18:22.410 --> 18:24.489 Cemetery at Quantico . 18:29.760 --> 18:32.040 We are so grateful to our partners at 18:32.050 --> 18:33.939 Quantico Marine Corps base in the 18:33.939 --> 18:36.069 surrounding community . This name 18:36.079 --> 18:38.135 preserves our history while ensuring 18:38.135 --> 18:40.949 that everyone knows that this cemetery 18:41.089 --> 18:43.750 like every va National Cemetery serves 18:43.760 --> 18:47.140 veterans of all military services . The 18:47.150 --> 18:49.317 National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico 18:49.317 --> 18:52.000 is open and ready to care for and honor 18:52.010 --> 18:54.069 veterans and their families with a 18:54.079 --> 18:56.160 dignified final resting place that 18:56.170 --> 18:58.420 bears witness to their service and 18:58.430 --> 19:01.719 sacrifice . I'm extremely proud of NC A , 19:01.729 --> 19:04.119 the people who have served throughout 19:04.130 --> 19:06.130 our 50 years and especially for the 19:06.130 --> 19:08.130 people who do the difficult work to 19:08.130 --> 19:10.352 make sure we are providing veterans the 19:10.352 --> 19:13.069 dignified burial benefits and perpetual 19:13.079 --> 19:14.968 care that they earn through their 19:14.968 --> 19:17.819 service to our country . I'll close by 19:17.829 --> 19:19.551 telling you about a few of our 19:19.551 --> 19:22.150 employees that make NCA the outstanding 19:22.160 --> 19:25.640 organization . It is . I want to share 19:25.650 --> 19:27.483 an inspiring story from two team 19:27.483 --> 19:29.594 members . I had the privilege to meet 19:30.160 --> 19:34.030 at Miramar and Fort Rosecrans after 19:34.040 --> 19:36.520 leaving the military , Hector Rodriguez , 19:36.699 --> 19:40.180 now a caretaker and Steve Maguire , now 19:40.189 --> 19:42.729 a caretaker leader , lived in a San 19:42.739 --> 19:45.229 Diego homeless shelter with little 19:45.239 --> 19:47.994 future . But through the compensated 19:48.005 --> 19:51.025 work therapy program administered by 19:51.035 --> 19:53.594 our friends at V and Cemetery 19:53.604 --> 19:56.015 Apprentice program , they both found 19:56.025 --> 19:58.354 renewed purpose in serving fellow 19:58.364 --> 20:01.125 veterans . Hector continues to go to 20:01.135 --> 20:03.564 the homeless camp , inspiring fellow 20:03.574 --> 20:05.741 veterans that there is life beyond the 20:05.741 --> 20:08.055 despair . They may find themselves 20:08.064 --> 20:11.260 temporary temporarily in . I find 20:11.270 --> 20:13.437 myself refreshed in hearing our fellow 20:13.437 --> 20:15.548 employees stories . What brought them 20:15.548 --> 20:18.719 to NC A ? And what about NC A ? They 20:18.729 --> 20:21.900 value my thanks to VA who administers 20:21.910 --> 20:24.180 the homeless veterans program . I 20:24.189 --> 20:26.300 recommend everybody take advantage of 20:26.300 --> 20:29.910 CWT and cap and share similar 20:29.920 --> 20:32.619 inspirational stories from your teams 20:33.479 --> 20:35.701 Veterans History project . We partnered 20:35.701 --> 20:37.701 with here not long ago at Riverside 20:37.701 --> 20:39.920 National Cemetery Veterans History 20:39.930 --> 20:41.930 Project is administered through the 20:41.930 --> 20:44.010 Library of Congress . I tell my 20:44.020 --> 20:46.242 teammates , every veteran has a story . 20:46.500 --> 20:48.389 We have to know their stories and 20:48.389 --> 20:51.069 capture them for future generations . 20:52.079 --> 20:55.189 Charles Lee Williamson is our gardener 20:55.199 --> 20:58.489 at Riverside National Cemetery . When 20:58.500 --> 21:00.556 the Veterans History Project came to 21:00.556 --> 21:03.339 Riverside , we encouraged our employees 21:03.349 --> 21:05.182 to meet with them and tell their 21:05.182 --> 21:07.739 stories . Charles was reluctant , 21:07.790 --> 21:10.012 didn't want to share his story and felt 21:10.012 --> 21:12.880 he didn't have a story to share 21:13.910 --> 21:16.839 what we found out the day prior to 21:16.849 --> 21:20.219 Veterans History project arriving is 21:20.229 --> 21:24.010 that Charles was a member of Seal team 21:24.020 --> 21:27.449 one Charles on the day of the interview 21:27.459 --> 21:30.180 brought in a little igloo cooler and he 21:30.189 --> 21:32.300 said , oh , I've just got some simple 21:32.300 --> 21:35.439 Mementos from my service in that cooler 21:35.930 --> 21:39.369 was his tried in shield . Most of those 21:39.380 --> 21:41.269 interviews go for about an hour , 21:42.000 --> 21:44.619 Charles spent four hours with the 21:44.630 --> 21:46.839 interview team . He said there was 21:46.849 --> 21:50.400 tears , there was laughter but the 21:50.410 --> 21:52.466 weight was lifted off his shoulder . 21:52.466 --> 21:54.632 When he walked out of that interview , 21:54.632 --> 21:56.632 he had the smile on his face and he 21:56.632 --> 21:58.750 said , I finally have told my story 21:58.760 --> 22:01.790 that I haven't told that is how we 22:01.800 --> 22:04.869 should remember veterans Seal team one 22:05.069 --> 22:08.550 Charles Williamson . Finally , an 22:08.560 --> 22:10.504 employee who has become a personal 22:10.504 --> 22:12.489 friend , Nathan Hooker Cemetery 22:12.500 --> 22:14.839 representative at Abraham Lincoln 22:14.849 --> 22:17.579 National Cemetery . Two years ago , 22:17.589 --> 22:19.700 upon hearing an emergency call on the 22:19.700 --> 22:21.589 cemetery's communication system , 22:21.689 --> 22:24.060 Nathan immediately responded to assist 22:24.069 --> 22:27.140 an elderly woman who collapsed due to 22:27.150 --> 22:29.989 difficulty breathing . Nathan , an army 22:30.000 --> 22:32.222 National Guard military police sergeant 22:32.339 --> 22:34.172 used his recent combat lifesaver 22:34.172 --> 22:36.410 training to clear an obstruction in the 22:36.420 --> 22:39.430 elderly woman's main airway and revived 22:39.439 --> 22:42.560 her with CPR . We cannot say enough 22:42.569 --> 22:44.402 about Nathan's dedication to the 22:44.402 --> 22:46.513 mission of serving veterans and their 22:46.513 --> 22:48.513 families by providing life saving , 22:48.513 --> 22:50.458 emergency assistance to a cemetery 22:50.458 --> 22:52.930 visitor who is in serious danger . 22:54.439 --> 22:57.550 Nathan saved her life . These are just 22:57.560 --> 22:59.782 four of the truly dedicated employees . 22:59.782 --> 23:01.671 I'm so honored to serve alongside 23:01.671 --> 23:05.619 Hector Steve Charles . Nathan . They 23:05.630 --> 23:09.550 represent all 2300 dedicated NC 23:09.560 --> 23:12.390 employees that truly make NC the 23:12.400 --> 23:16.010 organization . It is . It's now my 23:16.020 --> 23:18.242 honor to introduce not only my boss but 23:18.242 --> 23:20.550 an incredible leader and friend . 23:21.010 --> 23:23.177 Secretary mcdonough has always taken a 23:23.177 --> 23:25.680 keen interest in our coverage . Our 23:25.689 --> 23:28.050 customer service , our memorial 23:28.060 --> 23:30.520 innovations and initiatives we 23:30.530 --> 23:33.640 developed to better serve veterans . I 23:33.650 --> 23:35.959 can tell you no one cares more deeply 23:35.969 --> 23:39.250 for our veterans than he before coming 23:39.260 --> 23:41.969 to v . He served as the 26 White House 23:41.979 --> 23:43.979 chief of Staff and as the principal 23:43.979 --> 23:46.969 deputy National Security Advisor . He 23:46.979 --> 23:49.560 believes deeply as he testified to 23:49.569 --> 23:52.069 Congress that there is no more sacred 23:52.079 --> 23:55.010 obligation nor noble undertaking than 23:55.020 --> 23:57.770 to uphold our promises to our veterans , 23:58.150 --> 24:00.800 whether they came home decades ago or 24:00.810 --> 24:03.369 days ago . Please join me in welcoming 24:03.380 --> 24:05.658 the 11th Secretary of Veterans Affairs , 24:05.949 --> 24:06.540 Dennis MC 24:12.959 --> 24:15.130 Matt . Thank you very much for that 24:15.140 --> 24:18.670 very kind introduction and for your 24:18.680 --> 24:20.847 exceptional leadership of our National 24:20.847 --> 24:24.270 Cemetery Administration . I'm honored 24:24.300 --> 24:26.356 to join you today for this important 24:26.356 --> 24:29.994 celebration of NCAS 50th Annis . Five 24:30.005 --> 24:31.785 decades of excellence , serving 24:31.795 --> 24:35.645 veterans and their families James , 24:35.655 --> 24:38.405 director of the National Memorial 24:38.415 --> 24:40.694 Cemetery at Quantico . Thanks to you 24:40.704 --> 24:42.760 and your team for hosting us today . 24:44.290 --> 24:47.010 Great blessing to meet your mom , 24:47.020 --> 24:49.349 Carolyn , your daughter , your three 24:49.359 --> 24:52.589 beautiful grandsons , including James 24:52.599 --> 24:56.449 the third . So on top of 24:56.459 --> 24:59.660 being a man of the cloth , he's a man 24:59.670 --> 25:03.579 of a beautiful family . And 25:03.589 --> 25:05.811 thank you for your career of service at 25:05.811 --> 25:07.978 NC A which followed your great service 25:07.978 --> 25:10.640 to the country and the Navy including 25:10.650 --> 25:12.594 deploying to the Gulf War with the 25:12.594 --> 25:15.050 Second Marine Medical Battalion . I 25:15.079 --> 25:17.770 also want to thank members of the 25:17.780 --> 25:20.058 Quantico Marine Band , the Space Force , 25:20.058 --> 25:22.739 color Guard army Fife and drum corps 25:22.750 --> 25:26.069 from the Third US Infantry Regiment for 25:26.079 --> 25:28.301 the beautiful rendition of the national 25:28.301 --> 25:30.459 anthem , the Navy drill team 25:31.489 --> 25:34.989 and our chaplains for the 25:35.000 --> 25:37.300 beautiful invocation we've already 25:37.310 --> 25:39.477 heard and the benediction will be sent 25:39.477 --> 25:43.376 off with soon Secretary Principi 25:43.597 --> 25:47.087 Principi , a great leader and a very 25:47.097 --> 25:50.807 valued friend , Michael 25:51.526 --> 25:55.237 KD , a general Mr 25:55.246 --> 25:57.357 acting undersecretary . Thank you for 25:57.357 --> 25:59.357 your partnership . Your team , your 25:59.357 --> 26:02.516 team work with us , former 26:02.526 --> 26:06.313 undersecretaries , Joanna and 26:06.323 --> 26:08.943 Randy . Thank you for your bringing us 26:08.953 --> 26:10.933 to this point and your continued 26:11.573 --> 26:14.154 mentoring of us , our 26:14.573 --> 26:17.343 partners and our veteran service 26:17.354 --> 26:20.354 organization partners . Thank you for 26:20.364 --> 26:22.764 joining us , our teammates across V I 26:22.774 --> 26:25.264 see so many one underscore in 26:25.274 --> 26:27.330 particular , my appreciation for our 26:27.330 --> 26:29.496 deputy under Secretary of Health Steve 26:29.496 --> 26:31.718 Lieberman for all he does tirelessly to 26:31.718 --> 26:35.191 care for our veterans , for our 26:35.201 --> 26:37.368 clinical staff who are here to support 26:37.368 --> 26:40.651 all of us . Thank you most profoundly . 26:41.801 --> 26:43.690 Our veterans , family members and 26:43.690 --> 26:46.191 survivors , those amazing marines I met 26:46.201 --> 26:48.651 on the way in . Thank you for joining 26:48.661 --> 26:51.411 us . Thank you for all that you've done 26:51.421 --> 26:53.500 for us . I welcome everyone . I'm 26:53.510 --> 26:57.321 honored to get to join you here at this 26:57.331 --> 26:59.553 beautiful National Memorial Cemetery at 26:59.553 --> 27:02.810 Quantico . There's no more appropriate 27:02.819 --> 27:06.339 place to celebrate nca's 50th 27:06.349 --> 27:09.989 anniversary because almost 27:10.000 --> 27:11.920 everything we do at V 27:13.540 --> 27:16.699 providing health care benefits , 27:17.369 --> 27:19.229 memorial fairs for our nation's 27:19.239 --> 27:22.810 veterans . All of it has its 27:22.819 --> 27:24.890 roots in the cataclysmic , 27:26.439 --> 27:28.550 devastating events and results of the 27:28.550 --> 27:31.780 civil war which was fought all around 27:31.790 --> 27:35.699 us here in these hills , the 27:35.709 --> 27:39.140 river and Bron creek valleys 27:40.290 --> 27:42.012 and it was Abraham Lincoln who 27:42.012 --> 27:44.012 shepherded the nation through those 27:44.012 --> 27:45.969 terrible years , four years during 27:45.979 --> 27:49.410 which more than 615,000 27:49.420 --> 27:53.329 Americans died . So much 27:53.339 --> 27:57.000 of our nation was devastated . So many 27:57.010 --> 27:58.670 families left mourning . 28:00.689 --> 28:02.911 President Lincoln's remembered for many 28:02.911 --> 28:06.219 important qualities , truly an 28:06.229 --> 28:08.369 iconic and visionary leader , 28:10.239 --> 28:12.969 but his most important skill was his 28:12.979 --> 28:16.670 ability to communicate so well , both 28:16.680 --> 28:18.458 in his writing and his speaking 28:19.550 --> 28:22.839 December 18 62 2.5 months after the 28:22.849 --> 28:25.630 costly Union victory at , at the 28:25.640 --> 28:27.750 bloodiest battle of the war . Until 28:27.760 --> 28:31.020 that time , Lincoln composed a letter 28:31.030 --> 28:33.469 to Congress , the second such annual 28:33.479 --> 28:36.930 letter he had written . It's 28:36.939 --> 28:39.729 long , not as long as the States of the 28:39.739 --> 28:41.572 Union by the way , but it's long 28:41.750 --> 28:44.939 detailing the status of us trade and 28:44.949 --> 28:46.838 international agreements . The US 28:47.680 --> 28:51.020 financial status and many other 28:51.030 --> 28:53.560 aspects of a government and a country 28:53.569 --> 28:56.449 at war . But the main focus of his 28:56.459 --> 28:58.250 letter is to make a strong 29:00.119 --> 29:02.520 compelling case to convince members of 29:02.530 --> 29:05.410 Congress to support his impending 29:05.420 --> 29:07.369 emancipation Proclamation , 29:09.319 --> 29:12.000 which would free more than 3.5 million 29:12.010 --> 29:15.719 enslaved people and allow 29:15.729 --> 29:17.930 Black Americans to enlist in the union 29:17.939 --> 29:20.829 military crucial . He believed 29:23.030 --> 29:25.780 to help end the war . His close friend 29:25.790 --> 29:27.901 David Davis said at the time , Mister 29:27.901 --> 29:31.650 Lincoln's whole soul is absorbed in 29:31.800 --> 29:34.859 his plan of remunerative emancipation . 29:36.949 --> 29:39.319 So after a lengthy and logical argument , 29:39.369 --> 29:41.480 he closed the letter with some of the 29:41.480 --> 29:43.910 most I think , inspired and eloquent 29:44.109 --> 29:47.670 prose of his entire presidency . He 29:47.680 --> 29:50.839 wrote , we can succeed only by 29:50.849 --> 29:54.589 concert . It is not , 29:54.599 --> 29:58.449 can any of us imagine better ? But 29:58.459 --> 30:01.270 can we all do better ? 30:02.459 --> 30:04.292 The dogmas of the quiet past are 30:04.292 --> 30:07.300 inadequate to the stormy present . The 30:07.310 --> 30:09.739 occasion is piled high with difficulty 30:09.750 --> 30:13.689 and we must rise with the occasion as 30:13.699 --> 30:16.489 our case is new . So we must think and 30:16.500 --> 30:20.229 act ane dis enthrall 30:20.239 --> 30:22.930 ourselves and then we shall save our 30:22.939 --> 30:26.119 country and giving freedom to the slave . 30:26.130 --> 30:27.908 We assure freedom to the free , 30:29.439 --> 30:33.119 honorable alike in what we give and 30:33.130 --> 30:36.839 what we preserve . We shall nobly 30:36.849 --> 30:40.489 save or meanly lose the 30:40.500 --> 30:42.530 last best hope on earth . 30:45.000 --> 30:47.111 An historic decision by the president 30:47.111 --> 30:48.111 for certain . 30:51.520 --> 30:55.099 But a challenge to each of us today as 30:55.109 --> 30:59.089 profound as it was then , can we all 30:59.099 --> 31:02.969 do better not imagine better , 31:02.979 --> 31:06.719 do better . We must think a 31:06.729 --> 31:09.969 new yes and Act A new 31:11.189 --> 31:13.411 NC A has met those challenges set forth 31:13.411 --> 31:15.411 by the president . In that letter . 31:15.939 --> 31:18.010 Looking back 50 years , as Matt just 31:18.020 --> 31:20.800 said , we see an organization that had 31:20.810 --> 31:23.010 responsibility for 21 burial grounds . 31:23.020 --> 31:25.969 But in 1973 was able to quickly 31:25.979 --> 31:28.109 incorporate 82 army cemeteries for a 31:28.119 --> 31:31.109 total of 103 national cemeteries across 31:31.119 --> 31:34.699 the country . It has since grown to 155 31:34.760 --> 31:37.099 national cemeteries where almost 5 31:37.229 --> 31:40.760 million veterans , 5 million heroes 31:40.770 --> 31:42.630 lay in eternal rest . 31:44.500 --> 31:46.979 Looking back 50 years , we see an era 31:46.989 --> 31:50.069 where when there were no , that's zero 31:50.790 --> 31:54.599 va grant funded state territory 31:55.089 --> 31:57.200 or tribal veterans cemeteries . Now , 31:57.200 --> 32:00.410 there's 122 located in 49 states 32:01.314 --> 32:03.694 territories and tribal lands . 32:04.814 --> 32:07.055 45 years ago , the Veteran Grant , the 32:07.064 --> 32:09.120 Veterans Cemetery Grants program was 32:09.120 --> 32:12.494 established and in 1980 the first grant 32:12.505 --> 32:14.449 went to the Eastern Shore Veterans 32:14.449 --> 32:18.079 Cemetery in Maryland this year , thanks 32:18.089 --> 32:20.030 to the generosity of the American 32:20.040 --> 32:23.790 taxpayer V and NCA topped 32:23.800 --> 32:26.869 $1 billion in total grants to 32:26.880 --> 32:29.099 states territories and tribal 32:29.109 --> 32:31.709 cemeteries . Since that first grant was 32:31.719 --> 32:35.250 delivered to Maryland . 50 years 32:35.260 --> 32:38.209 ago , the National Cemetery system 32:39.010 --> 32:41.066 had just a few 100 employees today . 32:41.066 --> 32:43.660 NCA is a diverse organization with more 32:43.670 --> 32:47.280 than 2300 employees covering 50 32:47.290 --> 32:50.900 states . Puerto Rico , nearly 32:50.910 --> 32:53.800 70% of whom are veterans themselves . 32:54.439 --> 32:57.520 The highest percentage of any workforce 32:57.530 --> 33:00.109 in the federal government , more than 33:00.119 --> 33:03.640 55% of whom are disabled veterans , 33:04.589 --> 33:08.229 9% women , veterans , all of 33:08.239 --> 33:11.099 these dedicated men and women , those 33:11.109 --> 33:13.000 sitting in the back , those still 33:13.010 --> 33:15.900 working throughout the cemetery today 33:16.849 --> 33:19.699 know and appreciate what it takes to 33:19.709 --> 33:22.390 serve our country because so many of 33:22.400 --> 33:25.150 them have done so in uniform 33:25.719 --> 33:29.160 themselves . And they also fully know 33:29.170 --> 33:30.719 the steep cost of freedom 33:33.680 --> 33:36.569 because they see it every day in their 33:36.579 --> 33:39.089 place of work . Over the last five 33:39.099 --> 33:41.750 decades , NC A has steadily improved 33:41.760 --> 33:44.349 that access for veterans . As Matt said , 33:45.099 --> 33:48.449 94% of American veterans have access to 33:48.459 --> 33:50.640 a national state or tribal veterans 33:50.650 --> 33:53.060 cemetery within 75 miles of home 33:53.839 --> 33:57.780 closing in on our goal of 95% . And in 33:57.790 --> 34:00.959 2019 , NC launched the 34:01.475 --> 34:04.725 Legacy Memorial . Thanks to Randy , 34:06.505 --> 34:09.216 an innovative and interactive website . 34:09.666 --> 34:11.645 The nation's first digital program 34:11.656 --> 34:13.767 dedicated to the memory of veterans . 34:14.676 --> 34:17.855 VLM allows family members , friends and 34:17.865 --> 34:20.025 the public to offer tributes to 34:20.035 --> 34:23.406 veterans using words , documents , 34:23.416 --> 34:25.521 photos , timelines , and other 34:25.531 --> 34:28.001 information so people can view and 34:28.011 --> 34:31.112 better understand all that veterans 34:31.122 --> 34:33.912 have done for our country . And in May 34:33.922 --> 34:37.092 of this year , NC A expanded 34:37.681 --> 34:41.642 that Legacy Memorial to include 27 dod 34:41.652 --> 34:45.201 managed cemeteries . Thanks to KD A , 34:45.751 --> 34:47.973 including Arlington National Cemetery . 34:48.879 --> 34:52.189 That expansion added more than 300,000 34:52.199 --> 34:53.989 individual interactive pages of 34:54.000 --> 34:57.310 information to the already 4.5 million 34:57.320 --> 35:01.159 pages included in VLM . And over the 35:01.169 --> 35:03.439 last 21 years , we can see the results 35:03.449 --> 35:06.080 of NCA'S commitment to excellence , 35:07.739 --> 35:11.649 their desire to think and act ane 35:12.709 --> 35:14.820 and to do better for veterans , their 35:14.820 --> 35:16.820 families , caregivers and survivors 35:18.429 --> 35:20.651 look no further than the results of the 35:20.651 --> 35:22.707 American customer satisfaction index 35:23.320 --> 35:26.350 announced every three years for two 35:26.360 --> 35:28.870 decades . NCA has been the highest 35:28.879 --> 35:31.669 rated organization , public and private 35:32.350 --> 35:35.270 in the United States . Using a scale of 35:35.280 --> 35:38.290 1 to 100 only one organization has ever 35:38.300 --> 35:41.149 achieved 97% . 35:42.159 --> 35:45.350 That organization is NC A . They 35:45.360 --> 35:48.280 achieved that score in 2019 . And again , 35:48.290 --> 35:50.346 in the most recent results announced 35:50.346 --> 35:52.969 last year and we should remember that 35:52.979 --> 35:56.689 NC A team earned that 2022 score 35:57.080 --> 35:59.080 while simultaneously overcoming the 35:59.080 --> 36:01.510 unprecedented challenges posed by the 36:01.520 --> 36:05.030 COVID-19 pandemic . None of this was 36:05.040 --> 36:08.207 easy . None of it happened without hard 36:08.217 --> 36:10.576 work and dedicated people . None of it 36:10.586 --> 36:14.017 happened without thinking ane and 36:14.027 --> 36:17.477 acting ane to do better for veterans , 36:18.267 --> 36:20.378 their families , their caregivers and 36:20.378 --> 36:24.166 their survivors . That's true of va as 36:24.177 --> 36:27.596 it is of NC A . So things change over 36:27.606 --> 36:31.076 time and excellent organizations change 36:31.656 --> 36:35.593 to adapt to the , they evolve to better 36:35.604 --> 36:38.503 care for the people they serve . But 36:38.513 --> 36:42.043 some things don't change . Some things 36:42.053 --> 36:45.833 are constant , the faith 36:46.634 --> 36:50.533 that James and our chaplains personify , 36:51.674 --> 36:54.743 constant , the honorable selfless 36:54.753 --> 36:56.864 service of veterans who sacrifice for 36:56.864 --> 36:59.531 our country . Something that has not 36:59.541 --> 37:00.250 changed 37:04.641 --> 37:06.808 while we gather today to celebrate the 37:06.808 --> 37:08.919 50th anniversary of NC A at the heart 37:08.919 --> 37:11.331 of this event is a celebration of 37:11.341 --> 37:14.420 veterans because at this 37:14.430 --> 37:17.041 cemetery , at each and every va 37:17.051 --> 37:19.760 National cemetery , at every state 37:19.770 --> 37:22.410 veterans Cemetery , we can see with a 37:22.420 --> 37:25.090 single sweep of your eye , the high 37:25.100 --> 37:28.850 cost of freedom , we see the granite 37:28.860 --> 37:30.749 reminders that Americans of every 37:30.749 --> 37:32.916 generation have put their lives on the 37:32.916 --> 37:36.750 line to ensure the freedoms 37:36.760 --> 37:39.969 the rest of us enjoy 37:41.260 --> 37:44.929 from the American revolution concluded 37:44.939 --> 37:48.879 more than 240 years ago to the 37:48.889 --> 37:51.629 tumultuous 20 years of war in 37:51.639 --> 37:54.449 Afghanistan and Iraq , 37:55.540 --> 37:58.110 Somalia , Yemen , 37:59.020 --> 38:02.100 Syria Uzbekistan , 38:02.939 --> 38:06.729 Pakistan , young Americans have 38:06.739 --> 38:10.219 served , sacrificed and endured 38:11.070 --> 38:14.159 untold hardships across our nation and 38:14.169 --> 38:17.939 around the world . We can never 38:17.949 --> 38:21.100 underestimate nor over appreciate the 38:21.110 --> 38:23.320 costs they bore for us . 38:25.545 --> 38:28.545 We can freely gather here today because 38:28.555 --> 38:30.746 of them , because of you . 38:33.166 --> 38:36.385 It is those veterans that the NC A 38:36.395 --> 38:40.395 workforce honors so well . And today we 38:40.406 --> 38:42.406 appreciate the continued service of 38:42.406 --> 38:44.406 veterans who come to work for other 38:44.406 --> 38:48.115 veterans at VA . Today , we honor 38:48.125 --> 38:51.382 veterans , the lives , they lived the 38:51.392 --> 38:53.261 sacrifices they made 38:56.162 --> 38:58.329 the service they rendered to us and to 38:58.329 --> 39:01.412 the nation , the strengthening they 39:01.562 --> 39:05.241 ensured of the greatest nation on the 39:05.251 --> 39:08.092 face of the planet . And we celebrate 39:08.102 --> 39:10.213 the excellence with which N CS served 39:10.213 --> 39:13.211 those veterans and their families for 39:13.221 --> 39:16.870 these past 50 years . May God bless you 39:17.100 --> 39:19.290 all our service members and veterans 39:20.169 --> 39:22.110 and these great United States of 39:22.120 --> 39:24.969 America . And now it is my pleasure to 39:24.979 --> 39:27.146 introduce a special video message from 39:27.146 --> 39:29.770 the first lady , Doctor Jill Biden . 39:29.939 --> 39:31.939 Please direct your attention to the 39:31.939 --> 39:31.929 screen 39:36.090 --> 39:38.669 for 50 years . The National Cemetery 39:38.679 --> 39:41.489 Administration has given survivors like 39:41.500 --> 39:43.949 my father who was a signalman in World 39:43.959 --> 39:47.439 War Two , a place to mourn and remember 39:47.639 --> 39:50.030 to honor and memorialize those who have 39:50.040 --> 39:53.120 served our nation and you have helped 39:53.129 --> 39:55.320 us keep their memories alive by caring 39:55.330 --> 39:57.820 for those places where they are laid to 39:57.830 --> 40:00.590 rest and their names are etched in 40:00.600 --> 40:03.560 stone . Our service members and their 40:03.570 --> 40:06.010 families have answered the call of duty 40:06.020 --> 40:09.199 with courage , grit and humility . 40:09.919 --> 40:12.489 They have given so much for our nation 40:12.870 --> 40:15.600 and we owe them the same devotion 40:16.260 --> 40:19.590 because they deserve nothing less in 40:19.600 --> 40:22.370 life and in their final resting place , 40:23.070 --> 40:25.399 my husband , President Biden is 40:25.409 --> 40:28.750 committed to honoring their legacy . So 40:28.760 --> 40:31.120 I wanna thank Secretary mcdonough and 40:31.129 --> 40:34.790 every single staff member at the NC A 40:34.800 --> 40:37.919 for helping make that possible . Each 40:37.929 --> 40:41.500 and every day . God bless our troops 40:41.510 --> 40:43.379 and their families . Thank you . 40:53.909 --> 40:56.560 Next , I am honored to recognize some 40:56.570 --> 40:58.903 of the National Cemetery Administration , 40:58.903 --> 41:02.709 longest serving employees . Yes , sir . 41:09.830 --> 41:12.052 I will ask them to stand as their names 41:12.052 --> 41:14.520 are called . And I please ask that we 41:14.530 --> 41:18.070 hold your applause until the end that 41:18.080 --> 41:20.020 everyone has been recognized . 41:22.379 --> 41:24.399 Mhm . Uh 41:33.800 --> 41:36.790 First , we're gonna start with Suzanne 41:36.800 --> 41:39.379 Cooper Cemetery Administration 41:39.389 --> 41:41.909 specialist Fort Bliss National Cemetery 41:42.840 --> 41:45.590 District serving NC A for 27 years , 41:51.830 --> 41:54.770 Kevin , heavy mobile equipment , 41:54.780 --> 41:56.959 mechanic , Fort Snelling National 41:56.969 --> 41:59.649 Cemetery , Midwest District serving NC 41:59.659 --> 42:01.469 A for 32 years . 42:07.899 --> 42:10.689 Linda Biba Management . Analyst , 42:10.760 --> 42:12.939 Quantico National Cemetery , North 42:12.949 --> 42:15.500 Atlanta District serving NC A for more 42:15.510 --> 42:16.969 than 39 years . 42:21.540 --> 42:23.699 Joe Flores Maintenance Mechanic 42:23.709 --> 42:25.598 National Memorial Cemetery of the 42:25.598 --> 42:28.199 Pacific Pacific District serving NCA 42:28.209 --> 42:29.639 for 41 years . 42:34.040 --> 42:36.949 And Mike Mick , Director Camp Nelson 42:36.959 --> 42:39.610 National Cemetery , Southeast District 42:39.620 --> 42:41.959 serving NC A for 37 years . 42:43.939 --> 42:46.050 Please join me in a round of applause 42:46.050 --> 42:48.429 for all of these dedicated employees . 43:07.679 --> 43:10.620 Ladies and gentlemen , we now present 43:10.629 --> 43:12.919 the old guard followed by the Navy 43:12.929 --> 43:16.310 drill team . As a warning , the old 43:16.320 --> 43:18.487 guard will be firing Revolutionary war 43:18.487 --> 43:21.060 musket and it will be loud . 43:31.820 --> 43:34.042 Good afternoon , ladies and gentlemen , 43:34.042 --> 43:35.820 the United States Army military 43:35.820 --> 43:37.653 district of Washington under the 43:37.653 --> 43:39.653 command of Major General Trevor J . 43:39.653 --> 43:41.653 Braden camp is proud to present the 43:41.653 --> 43:43.764 United States Army Old Guard Fife and 43:43.764 --> 43:47.020 drum corps . Since 1960 the old guard 43:47.030 --> 43:49.030 Fife and drum corps has carried the 43:49.030 --> 43:51.141 army's tradition of excellence acting 43:51.141 --> 43:53.363 as the official to the president of the 43:53.363 --> 43:56.290 United States . The cops wears uniforms 43:56.300 --> 43:58.133 patterned after those of General 43:58.133 --> 44:00.219 Washington's continental army . In 44:00.229 --> 44:02.007 order to be easily identified , 44:02.219 --> 44:04.219 military musicians were the reverse 44:04.219 --> 44:06.386 colors of their assigned regiment . At 44:06.386 --> 44:08.552 that time , American infantry soldiers 44:08.552 --> 44:10.750 wore blue coats with red face cities . 44:10.780 --> 44:13.100 Thus , the musicians wore red coats 44:13.110 --> 44:15.719 with blue face cities during the 44:15.729 --> 44:18.149 revolutionary war . Sounds of the fight 44:18.290 --> 44:20.919 bugle and drone could be heard across 44:20.929 --> 44:22.949 the battlefield as brave soldiers 44:22.959 --> 44:25.290 fought for our nation's independence . 44:29.010 --> 44:32.389 Yeah . 6000 47:30.719 --> 47:32.497 soldier musicians harnessed the 47:32.497 --> 47:34.552 unifying power of music to rally the 47:34.552 --> 47:37.270 troops express cultural identity and 47:37.280 --> 47:39.590 entertain . On the night of Paul 47:39.600 --> 47:41.959 Revere's historic ride bugler Abel 47:41.969 --> 47:44.649 Benson also rode sounding the alarm . 47:45.389 --> 47:47.229 Zeal Lou served as a fighter and 47:47.239 --> 47:49.310 drummer in two American wars and was 47:49.320 --> 47:51.431 praised for his bravery at the battle 47:51.431 --> 47:54.050 of Bunker Hill . A female bugler from 47:54.060 --> 47:56.227 Michigan disguised herself as a man to 47:56.227 --> 47:58.338 fight in the American civil war under 47:58.338 --> 48:01.120 the alias Frank Martin Alexander 48:01.129 --> 48:03.030 Johnson , a drummer and civil war 48:03.040 --> 48:05.370 veteran brought music back to his 48:05.379 --> 48:07.435 community by establishing a drum and 48:07.435 --> 48:09.889 bugle corps . Soldier musicians have 48:09.899 --> 48:11.677 been influential in shaping our 48:11.677 --> 48:13.843 nation's history and we are honored to 48:13.843 --> 48:15.343 highlight their individual 48:15.343 --> 48:17.232 contributions and recognize their 48:17.232 --> 48:19.709 selfless service . Yes . 54:59.219 --> 55:01.386 Composed on the home front and pendent 55:01.389 --> 55:03.611 soldiers . Diaries , folk melodies have 55:03.611 --> 55:05.667 connected and inspired us throughout 55:05.667 --> 55:07.833 our nation's history . The Cops honors 55:07.833 --> 55:09.945 the legacies of our country's soldier 55:09.945 --> 55:12.111 musicians and all who have served with 55:12.111 --> 55:14.278 our stately and traditional troop step 55:14.278 --> 55:16.810 set here to dawning of the day . A 55:16.870 --> 55:18.926 shared pride in our nation . And the 55:18.926 --> 55:20.981 desire to find comfort in a new home 55:20.981 --> 55:23.092 ultimately brought Americans together 55:23.092 --> 55:24.120 to fight as one 57:51.820 --> 57:54.010 on behalf of the old guard commander , 57:54.020 --> 57:56.229 Colonel David B . Roland and the pipe 57:56.250 --> 57:58.139 and drum court commander G , four 57:58.139 --> 58:00.449 officer , three , Benjamin W Macmillan . 58:00.459 --> 58:02.681 It has been our pleasure performing for 58:02.681 --> 58:03.681 you today . 58:38.219 --> 58:40.108 Ladies and gentlemen , the United 58:40.108 --> 58:41.830 States Army represented by the 58:41.830 --> 58:43.775 Commander in Chief's Guard , Alpha 58:43.775 --> 58:45.719 Company , fourth battalion , third 58:45.719 --> 58:47.830 United States Infantry Regiment , the 58:47.830 --> 58:49.775 old Guard is proud to present this 58:49.775 --> 58:51.497 special performance in today's 58:51.497 --> 58:53.719 performance . Blank ammunition will be 58:53.729 --> 58:57.489 fired with a heritage of service that 58:57.500 --> 58:59.739 spans over two centuries . The old 58:59.750 --> 59:02.370 guard has a unique dual mission . It is 59:02.379 --> 59:05.020 the army's official ceremonial unit and 59:05.510 --> 59:08.260 to the president in Washington DC . And 59:08.270 --> 59:10.492 it is entrusted with the responsibility 59:10.492 --> 59:12.437 of protecting our nation's capital 59:12.437 --> 59:14.659 during times of national emergency . As 59:14.659 --> 59:16.881 part of the joint task force , national 59:16.881 --> 59:19.820 capital region , The old Guards 59:19.830 --> 59:22.120 ceremonial duties include welcoming 59:22.129 --> 59:24.185 official guests of the Department of 59:24.185 --> 59:26.399 the Army Department of Defense and the 59:26.409 --> 59:28.550 president guarding the tomb of the 59:28.560 --> 59:30.671 unknown soldier in Arlington National 59:30.671 --> 59:32.989 Cemetery and performing in a variety of 59:33.000 --> 59:35.750 parades and community events . During 59:35.760 --> 59:37.982 these ceremonial events , the commander 59:37.982 --> 59:40.038 in Chief's Guard uses fully operable 59:40.038 --> 59:41.939 brown vest muskets for today's 59:41.949 --> 59:44.116 demonstration . The muskets are loaded 59:44.116 --> 59:47.889 only with black powder as a reminder , 59:47.899 --> 59:50.100 blank ammunition will be fired during 59:50.110 --> 59:52.560 today's ceremony , those sensitive to 59:52.570 --> 59:54.570 loud noises are encouraged to cover 59:54.570 --> 59:56.514 their ears . When the commander in 59:56.514 --> 59:58.626 Chief's Guard advances onto the field 59:58.626 --> 01:00:00.848 during an actual battle . These muskets 01:00:00.848 --> 01:00:02.903 fired a one ounce three quarter inch 01:00:02.903 --> 01:00:04.610 diameter lead ball creating a 01:00:04.620 --> 01:00:06.550 formidable wall of fire . 01:00:09.699 --> 01:00:11.588 The Commander Chiefs Guard is the 01:00:11.588 --> 01:00:13.699 official representative of the United 01:00:13.699 --> 01:00:15.879 States Army's Colonial heritage . The 01:00:15.889 --> 01:00:18.320 unit participates in ceremonies and re 01:00:18.330 --> 01:00:20.629 enactments annually . They are dressed 01:00:20.639 --> 01:00:22.860 in reproduction blue uniforms with red 01:00:22.870 --> 01:00:24.814 facings in accordance with General 01:00:24.814 --> 01:00:27.148 Washington's General Order of October 2 , 01:00:27.229 --> 01:00:30.739 17 79 the Commander in Chief's Guard 01:00:30.750 --> 01:00:32.860 also known as Washington's Lifeguard 01:00:32.870 --> 01:00:36.120 was established on March 12 th 17 76 01:00:36.449 --> 01:00:38.449 General George Washington issued an 01:00:38.449 --> 01:00:40.338 order calling upon each of the 13 01:00:40.338 --> 01:00:42.679 original state's regiments to detail 01:00:42.689 --> 01:00:44.739 four soldiers each to serve as his 01:00:44.750 --> 01:00:47.620 personal bodyguard . As a result , the 01:00:47.629 --> 01:00:49.573 commander in Chief's Guard was the 01:00:49.573 --> 01:00:51.740 first regiment in the Continental line 01:00:51.740 --> 01:00:53.740 to have soldiers from all 13 states 01:00:53.740 --> 01:00:56.929 within its ranks . General Washington 01:00:57.010 --> 01:00:59.360 and picked the original 54 members of 01:00:59.370 --> 01:01:01.426 the commander in Chief's Guard . The 01:01:01.426 --> 01:01:03.426 soldiers were trained on the formal 01:01:03.426 --> 01:01:05.449 tactics of 18 th century warfare . 01:01:05.520 --> 01:01:07.687 According to the instructions of Baron 01:01:07.687 --> 01:01:10.679 Friedrich , Von Schub and exemplified 01:01:10.689 --> 01:01:12.800 the steady professionalism . American 01:01:12.800 --> 01:01:14.689 soldiers could attain with proper 01:01:14.689 --> 01:01:15.689 leadership . 01:01:21.820 --> 01:01:23.653 The vast majority of continental 01:01:23.653 --> 01:01:25.750 soldiers were infantrymen . They are 01:01:25.760 --> 01:01:28.800 armed with a £12.75 caliber smooth 01:01:28.810 --> 01:01:31.590 bore brown bess musket . This was the 01:01:31.600 --> 01:01:33.544 standard weapon of the Continental 01:01:33.544 --> 01:01:35.822 soldier during the American revolution . 01:01:35.822 --> 01:01:38.044 It is a flintlock muzzle loading weapon 01:01:38.044 --> 01:01:40.267 with a maximum effective range of 80 to 01:01:40.267 --> 01:01:43.239 100 yards . The bayonet weighs 01:01:43.250 --> 01:01:46.250 approximately £1 and has an 11 to 13 01:01:46.260 --> 01:01:48.800 inch blade . Their equipment consisted 01:01:48.810 --> 01:01:52.360 of a cartridge box which contains 24 01:01:52.370 --> 01:01:54.489 paper cartridges of ammunition and a 01:01:54.500 --> 01:01:58.179 bayonet sling scabbard . The basic 01:01:58.189 --> 01:02:00.189 fighting element of the Continental 01:02:00.189 --> 01:02:01.510 army was the platoon . 01:02:09.320 --> 01:02:11.800 The platoon consisted of 10 soldiers 01:02:11.810 --> 01:02:13.921 commanded by an officer armed with an 01:02:13.921 --> 01:02:17.139 ES boto and sword . Two platoons form a 01:02:17.149 --> 01:02:20.750 division , right ? Oh , 01:02:25.110 --> 01:02:27.054 the division is commanded by first 01:02:27.054 --> 01:02:30.979 Lieutenant Garrett Dunn . Oh , 01:02:36.060 --> 01:02:38.120 he carries an 18 th century weapon 01:02:38.129 --> 01:02:40.659 called an ESP tune . Besides being an 01:02:40.669 --> 01:02:43.080 effective weapon , the ESP tune also 01:02:43.090 --> 01:02:45.090 serves as a badge of rank making it 01:02:45.100 --> 01:02:47.156 possible to quickly locate battalion 01:02:47.156 --> 01:02:49.211 and division officers in the ranks . 01:02:51.739 --> 01:02:53.739 The battalion would not be complete 01:02:53.739 --> 01:02:55.906 without other support elements . Field 01:02:55.906 --> 01:02:58.017 music is important to the command and 01:02:58.017 --> 01:03:00.239 control of the battalion in camp and on 01:03:00.239 --> 01:03:02.350 the battlefield . The fifes and drums 01:03:02.350 --> 01:03:04.572 march at the head of the battalion with 01:03:04.580 --> 01:03:07.090 the commander and act as their voice . 01:03:07.770 --> 01:03:09.437 They are used to signal troop 01:03:09.437 --> 01:03:11.909 formations and other daily events in 01:03:11.919 --> 01:03:14.086 battle . They are placed on the flanks 01:03:14.086 --> 01:03:16.439 and center rear . In keeping with 18 th 01:03:16.449 --> 01:03:18.616 century tradition , the old guard Fife 01:03:18.616 --> 01:03:20.505 and drum corps wear uniforms with 01:03:20.505 --> 01:03:22.560 colors reversed to signify that they 01:03:22.560 --> 01:03:26.179 are musicians not combatants since the 01:03:26.189 --> 01:03:28.469 16 th century . The regimental colors 01:03:28.479 --> 01:03:30.479 have been one of the most important 01:03:30.479 --> 01:03:32.368 elements in a military unit . The 01:03:32.368 --> 01:03:34.146 colors indicate the commander's 01:03:34.146 --> 01:03:35.979 location and soldiers keep their 01:03:35.979 --> 01:03:38.090 positions in formation by dressing on 01:03:38.090 --> 01:03:39.868 the colors at the center of our 01:03:39.868 --> 01:03:41.929 formation is the personal colors of 01:03:41.939 --> 01:03:43.939 General George Washington and the 01:03:43.949 --> 01:03:46.159 commander in chief's guard . Today's 01:03:46.169 --> 01:03:48.120 color and is specialist Marson . 01:03:50.469 --> 01:03:52.413 What you are about to witness is a 01:03:52.413 --> 01:03:54.239 demonstration of 18 th century 01:03:54.250 --> 01:03:56.159 battlefield tactics . Unlike the 01:03:56.169 --> 01:03:58.058 irregular militia that confronted 01:03:58.058 --> 01:04:00.260 British soldiers in Massachusetts . In 01:04:00.270 --> 01:04:03.600 17 75 the continental army fought using 01:04:03.610 --> 01:04:05.679 the tactics of European professional 01:04:05.689 --> 01:04:08.449 soldiers . Imagine if you will , you 01:04:08.459 --> 01:04:11.330 have just traveled back 247 years And 01:04:11.340 --> 01:04:13.562 this American Division is about to meet 01:04:13.562 --> 01:04:15.451 in approaching enemy to provide a 01:04:15.451 --> 01:04:17.340 constant rate of fire against the 01:04:17.340 --> 01:04:19.173 opposition as they advance . The 01:04:19.173 --> 01:04:21.584 division fires by platoon . This 01:04:21.594 --> 01:04:23.735 continuous fire limits the enemy's 01:04:23.745 --> 01:04:25.895 ability to make advances or other 01:04:25.905 --> 01:04:28.695 tactical moves . The platoon will move 01:04:28.705 --> 01:04:31.185 fire and respond to the commands of the 01:04:31.195 --> 01:04:33.028 division commander who makes the 01:04:33.028 --> 01:04:34.195 tactical decisions . 01:04:38.750 --> 01:04:39.750 That 01:04:42.790 --> 01:04:45.899 thank you , President . Right . 01:04:51.219 --> 01:04:51.629 Oh , 01:05:13.909 --> 01:05:17.909 more . Right . 01:05:25.469 --> 01:05:26.469 No . 01:05:53.489 --> 01:05:56.449 Yeah , vision 01:05:58.959 --> 01:06:02.560 ready . Ok . 01:06:11.030 --> 01:06:13.560 The ban at charge , the ultimate object 01:06:13.570 --> 01:06:15.792 of tactical maneuver on the battlefield 01:06:15.792 --> 01:06:17.903 was most often decided by one side or 01:06:17.903 --> 01:06:19.737 the other giving into panic when 01:06:19.737 --> 01:06:21.959 confronted by an advancing wall of cold 01:06:21.959 --> 01:06:22.520 steel . 01:06:26.629 --> 01:06:29.449 Why ? Mhm . 01:06:30.659 --> 01:06:31.659 Right . 01:06:45.030 --> 01:06:49.010 Oh , ladies 01:06:49.020 --> 01:06:50.853 and gentlemen , the commander in 01:06:50.853 --> 01:06:51.853 chief's guard . 01:07:04.350 --> 01:07:06.517 The commander now reforms the division 01:07:06.520 --> 01:07:08.860 on the colors after successful bayonet 01:07:08.870 --> 01:07:09.669 charge . 01:07:16.800 --> 01:07:20.000 By 17 79 the continental army's regular 01:07:20.010 --> 01:07:21.788 regiments had become formidable 01:07:21.788 --> 01:07:23.954 battlefield opponents whom the British 01:07:23.954 --> 01:07:26.066 and their Hessian allies hesitated to 01:07:26.066 --> 01:07:28.232 confront in particular , their ability 01:07:28.232 --> 01:07:30.288 to stand their ground during British 01:07:30.288 --> 01:07:31.788 bayonet charges . And then 01:07:31.788 --> 01:07:33.510 countercharge produced several 01:07:33.510 --> 01:07:35.732 victories during the latter part of the 01:07:35.732 --> 01:07:37.788 war and ultimately helped secure the 01:07:37.788 --> 01:07:39.788 independence of the United States . 01:07:40.100 --> 01:07:42.100 Once again , ladies and gentlemen , 01:07:42.100 --> 01:07:44.156 gentlemen , the commander in chief's 01:07:44.156 --> 01:07:44.020 guard . 01:08:07.030 --> 01:08:10.560 Good afternoon . My name is 01:08:11.070 --> 01:08:13.459 Electric Construction , electrician 01:08:13.469 --> 01:08:16.319 chief petty Officer Brooke Cara with 01:08:16.330 --> 01:08:19.200 the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard . 01:08:19.589 --> 01:08:22.729 I will be your cot commander of troops 01:08:22.740 --> 01:08:25.729 for this performance . Today , the 01:08:25.740 --> 01:08:28.080 sailors , you are about to see perform 01:08:28.089 --> 01:08:30.359 as specialists in the art of drill 01:08:30.370 --> 01:08:33.999 expedition , the dynamic movements you 01:08:34.008 --> 01:08:36.898 will witness require immense precision , 01:08:37.119 --> 01:08:39.798 ceremonial excellence and military 01:08:39.809 --> 01:08:43.559 bearing day in and day out . These 01:08:43.568 --> 01:08:46.909 sailors devote hours of practice to 01:08:46.918 --> 01:08:50.548 perfect their manipulation of the M 01:08:50.559 --> 01:08:54.438 19 3 Springfield rifle . This 01:08:54.449 --> 01:08:58.039 rifle weighs £10 with the attached 01:08:58.258 --> 01:09:01.759 bayonet . The drill team's performance 01:09:01.770 --> 01:09:04.180 is a clear reflection of the 01:09:04.189 --> 01:09:07.200 professionalism and steadfast devotion 01:09:07.339 --> 01:09:10.240 of the duty of all United States Navy 01:09:10.250 --> 01:09:12.479 sailors across the world . 01:09:59.490 --> 01:10:01.109 Josie . Born 01:10:29.160 --> 01:10:29.859 guilty 01:10:40.529 --> 01:10:42.029 joy for 01:11:57.470 --> 01:11:58.160 so 01:12:09.890 --> 01:12:10.890 sure . 01:12:34.649 --> 01:12:35.120 What ? 01:13:05.720 --> 01:13:06.109 Who ? 01:14:48.870 --> 01:14:49.200 Hm , 01:14:56.740 --> 01:14:57.419 guilty ? 01:15:16.189 --> 01:15:18.600 Wow . What a moving performance . 01:15:18.740 --> 01:15:20.979 Please just give another applause . 01:15:27.330 --> 01:15:30.359 Now , all who's able to stand , please 01:15:30.370 --> 01:15:32.540 stand for the wreath presentation and 01:15:32.549 --> 01:15:36.299 the plane of taps . Secretary 01:15:36.310 --> 01:15:38.477 Madonna and under secretary Quinn will 01:15:38.477 --> 01:15:40.421 be accompanied by the five longest 01:15:40.421 --> 01:15:43.950 serving employees with us today to lay 01:15:43.959 --> 01:15:46.470 the wreath . Following the laying of 01:15:46.479 --> 01:15:48.479 the wreaths vs Own . Eugene Russell 01:15:48.479 --> 01:15:51.560 will play taps the five V employees . 01:15:51.569 --> 01:15:53.790 Please , please come forward . 01:16:10.209 --> 01:16:12.431 He employs . You'll be on the left side 01:16:12.431 --> 01:16:15.350 and secretary and the undersecretary 01:16:15.359 --> 01:16:16.915 will be on the right side . 01:17:47.580 --> 01:17:50.080 Thank you for that beautiful tribute 01:17:50.089 --> 01:17:52.569 Jean . Please remain standing . 01:18:00.359 --> 01:18:02.081 Please remain standing for the 01:18:02.081 --> 01:18:04.370 benediction given by V employee and 01:18:04.379 --> 01:18:06.657 Army National Guard chaplain candidate , 01:18:06.657 --> 01:18:07.657 Larry Provos 01:18:16.569 --> 01:18:18.347 feel free to pray in your faith 01:18:18.347 --> 01:18:21.020 tradition or not at all as I pray in 01:18:21.029 --> 01:18:23.479 mine , Father God . Thank you for this 01:18:23.490 --> 01:18:25.601 day . Thank you for your love . Thank 01:18:25.601 --> 01:18:28.549 you for salvation . God . Our duty here 01:18:28.560 --> 01:18:30.910 at this sacred place is always solemn , 01:18:31.160 --> 01:18:33.540 but we are grateful today and for 50 01:18:33.549 --> 01:18:35.279 years of the National Cemetery 01:18:35.290 --> 01:18:37.401 Administration . Lord , thank you for 01:18:37.401 --> 01:18:39.549 this administration and its people . 01:18:39.660 --> 01:18:41.327 Thank you for their steadfast 01:18:41.327 --> 01:18:43.493 commitment to helping veterans , their 01:18:43.493 --> 01:18:45.716 families and loved ones . At one of the 01:18:45.716 --> 01:18:47.899 most vulnerable times in their lives , 01:18:48.060 --> 01:18:51.000 bless these caretakers and NCA and 01:18:51.009 --> 01:18:53.970 their loved ones as they work unto you . 01:18:54.549 --> 01:18:56.771 Lord , we are also thankful for those . 01:18:56.771 --> 01:18:58.660 We serve the men and women of the 01:18:58.660 --> 01:19:00.716 United States uniformed services who 01:19:00.716 --> 01:19:02.716 have gone before us and are resting 01:19:02.716 --> 01:19:05.669 here and elsewhere . Some of them are 01:19:05.680 --> 01:19:08.459 known to many . Some are known by a few 01:19:08.939 --> 01:19:11.810 or none at all , but all are known to 01:19:11.819 --> 01:19:14.540 you as we remember . May we also 01:19:14.549 --> 01:19:17.609 continue to find solace , comfort and 01:19:17.620 --> 01:19:20.339 courage at this hallowed ground and 01:19:20.350 --> 01:19:22.479 from the legacies of those who are 01:19:22.490 --> 01:19:25.729 forever here , God help us the living 01:19:25.919 --> 01:19:28.314 to always live lives worthy of their 01:19:28.325 --> 01:19:31.665 service . May we go forth in our duties 01:19:31.674 --> 01:19:34.714 and days serving the land we love and 01:19:34.725 --> 01:19:37.634 its people as you did for us all the 01:19:37.645 --> 01:19:40.435 way to the end ? Thank you again for 01:19:40.444 --> 01:19:43.145 this day of celebration , remembrance 01:19:43.154 --> 01:19:45.595 and recommitment to our task in Jesus 01:19:45.604 --> 01:19:47.937 name , I pray and all God's people said , 01:19:48.314 --> 01:19:48.834 amen . 01:19:53.140 --> 01:19:55.084 Thank you for those moving words , 01:19:55.084 --> 01:19:57.810 Larry before we close . I want to be 01:19:57.819 --> 01:19:59.708 sure that I thank all the amazing 01:19:59.708 --> 01:20:01.709 partners who helped make today's 01:20:01.720 --> 01:20:04.259 possible . The list is too long to 01:20:04.270 --> 01:20:06.326 mention all the individual but would 01:20:06.326 --> 01:20:08.689 like to especially thank the NC A 01:20:08.700 --> 01:20:10.979 assembling organizations , the Veterans 01:20:10.990 --> 01:20:13.149 Health Administration , the Veterans 01:20:13.160 --> 01:20:15.729 Benefit Administrations , veterans and 01:20:15.740 --> 01:20:18.319 Survivors here today . Make sure you 01:20:18.330 --> 01:20:20.386 talk with their outreach team before 01:20:20.386 --> 01:20:22.552 you leave to make sure you're aware of 01:20:22.552 --> 01:20:24.774 all of the benefits you have earned and 01:20:24.774 --> 01:20:27.108 deserved . I also like to thank Tim Noo , 01:20:27.560 --> 01:20:29.449 the NC A Office of Engagement and 01:20:29.449 --> 01:20:31.279 Innovation , the North Atlantic 01:20:31.290 --> 01:20:33.580 District , under the leadership of 01:20:33.589 --> 01:20:35.049 Clyde Moors 01:20:37.160 --> 01:20:39.549 and the uh military district of 01:20:39.560 --> 01:20:42.160 Washington and our good neighbors and 01:20:42.169 --> 01:20:45.220 partner Marine Corps Base . 01:20:46.169 --> 01:20:48.002 And one final thing I do want to 01:20:48.002 --> 01:20:50.689 recognize pastor Jean Wells , who's one 01:20:50.700 --> 01:20:52.490 of our partners . And he's also 01:20:52.569 --> 01:20:54.939 provides a lot of resources for us . 01:20:55.120 --> 01:20:57.339 This concludes our ceremony . We 01:20:57.350 --> 01:20:59.239 welcome you to visit our outreach 01:20:59.239 --> 01:21:01.350 location behind you . Take the beauty 01:21:01.350 --> 01:21:03.406 of this location before you depart . 01:21:03.406 --> 01:21:05.239 Thank you for joining us in this 01:21:05.239 --> 01:21:07.461 celebration . May God bless you all our 01:21:07.461 --> 01:21:09.517 service members and veterans and the 01:21:09.517 --> 01:21:11.683 United States of America . Thank you . 01:21:23.680 --> 01:21:24.500 It's a good job .