001He said whatever. window. I had no idea. You guys, >> you guys say Please high school band. Heat. Heat. Thank you. At this time, we would like to take a moment. Thank you and you dedication, sacrifice, self. As we play the song represent our military, we fight veterans and sustain Hey, go start. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. That was We got breakfast. Heat. Heat. Next we are searching. We can recognize park. Heat. Heat. At this time, At the 11 hour day of 191 exactly one year later to us in America the reflections of artist day will be filled with pride and herism of Those who died in the country service and opportunity has given America to show person, justice and council of the nation. A few years later in 1921, Congress passed legis cemetery. Arlington,
002Virginia to honor those who participated in the World States as well. It wasn't until June 1st, 1954 that November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. October of that year, President Ellison is the first state. Whereas our straight of the ending of World Wars whereas years of United States has been involved in two other military of this nation and woration nation homage to the veterans of all contributed so much of this nation by an actress 168, Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, call upon 194. Let us remember the sacrifices of all on the seas, the air foreign shores to preserve our heritage of freedom. Let us reconsider ourselves to promoting peace so that their efforts should not. I also direct United States of all buildings on Veterans Day, we
003honor you today. >> To all to all of our veterans far and near, we thank you for your service. For all of those years, you sacrificed your time and gave and some gave your life. You preserved our freedom by willingly paying the price. Many of you were sent overseas. You were wounded in battle with scars and disease. But courageous and brave, you the storm. You face every battle with faith and beyond. We honor you with joy for all that you've done. You stood strong for our country, for our daughters and sons. So no one stands alone. We walk hand in hand. Remember, we are with you. Together we shall stand. We salute you today. Hear what we say. Let our words speak eloquently in a special way. On this day, let's express our love and
004thanks for the sacrifice you paid. You serve served in honor for many years and days, and we will never forget how how you were strong and watch this Veterans Day tribute video. All right, let's go ahead and do this. While they're working on that, just switch things around a little bit. Have Morton down and read a Veterans Day proclamation. uh by the president of the United States of America, a proclamation. The story of America is written with courage, honor, and dedicated service of our veterans. Through their sacrifice, the fires of freedom burned brightly, our republic secured, and our way of life made possible. For nearly 250 years, their unyielding spirit has carried our nation through very trial and trial, ensuring that liberty endures of all time. This Veterans Day, we show our gratitude and recommmit
005to honor their service, uphold their legacy, and give every veteran the loyal respect and support that they earned and so dearly deserve. From the moment our nation's founders raised the cause of independence, they recognized that freedom rests upon those willing to defend it. During the midst of the American Revolution, the Continental Congress enacted the first national veterans benefits law to care for wounded disabled veterans. From that early act of foresight came a fundamental promise, a nation devoted to liberty owes a debt to those who secured freedom for our people. Our nation remains great because those served honorably in uniform and committed their lives to defending our families, our freedom, and American values. Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coast guardsmen, and guardians for their sacrifice. And we thank the
006families who share the burden of their service. Under my leadership, our nation will always uphold the legacy of our veterans by keeping America strong, proud, and free. And as the president of the United States, I will always have their backs. In respectful recognition of the contributions our service members have made to advance peace and freedom around the world, Congress has provided that November 11th of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our nation's veterans. Now therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2025 as Veterans Day. I I enourage all Americans to reflect the courage, gratitude. I call upon federal, state, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their
007communities. In witness whereof, I here on to set my hand this 10th day of November in the year of our Lord 2025 and the independence of the United States of America, the 250th, Donald J. Trump. Thank you. All right. At this time, I'd like to ask our Veterans Day panel to come forward and just have a seat up here. And we're going to have a question and answer session for a little while this afternoon. so you can find out more about what it's like one thing being in the military and hopefully to encourage you and we thank you for again for being here today. Thank you gentlemen for coming and being willing to take their afternoon maybe work to be here. We very much appreciate that as well. All right. So, um, we'll get started.
008And, uh, first thing I'll do, and the way I'll do this, gentlemen, is I'll ask a series of questions and give each one of you a chance to answer the same question. And, and we'll start with introductions, right? So, just tell us, give us your name and uh, your rank, your do all that, but give us your name and the branch you served in, and that would be great. And then we'll go on from there. Thank you, Mr. HM2 United States Navy. I was a specialist in the army staff sergeant. Oh, Jason. All right. So, I'm just kind of pass the microphone and alternate starts with each question. The first question is that I'd like to ask is why did you choose to join the military? Why did you choose to join the military? I
009chose to join the military because I'm seventh generation army and I wanted to be a combat. Well, couple of reasons I joined. I grew up on a farm and as a young boy I felt I was being worked too hard. So I wasn't sure what I was going to do with my life. my end of my high school career. So I opted to join the Army National Guard for options and opportunually I All right, so we start down there with John's next question. Uh, here's the question. What do you remember about the day you enlisted and how did you tell your friends and family? >> So, I enlisted That quite a while. >> Make sure you hold the microphone a little closer. Don't be afraid of your friend. So I was a junior in high
010school when I made my decision that I wanted to join. I was also 17 and like said you know at that age you got to have signature from your parents given authorization for you to join. Well my mom she loved me right and she didn't want me to join because she was scared obviously something might happen. No, I'm not going to sign. Okay, Mom. I'll wait till I'm 18. I waited till I said the best thing I ever did. I joined December 20th, 1989. It was my 17th birthday. My parents had to sign off as well, but they never said a word. My dad was a recovery specialist in the army. I was army carson and I did not know the whole time. He hated the fact. Let me back up a second. I should
011ask you sooner, but tell us um when you served and were you deployed, anything like that before going? Okay. My career started out I did basic at Fort Lwood, Missouri. They sent me to Fort Houston for combat medic. I ended up getting out for a while and I ended up in Kimble Street again and I became real good friends with the Navy recruit. Next, you know, September 12, 2001. The first time I left the army was September 11th, 2001. I ended up going on the boat a couple times because I was a Marines a couple times. Then I came home and they were like, "We're going to put you into the hospital." And I was like, "No, I want to stay with the Marines or the you don't have an option." So I said, "What?"
012And I reinlisted in the army. In ' 07, I Company 151st out of South Indiana. ended up getting hurt. Spent two years on wounded warrior from 07 to09 and then they retired me in 2016. >> So, uh, when it comes to my military career, I refer to myself as the luckiest guy I know. And here's why. I enlisted in 1989 as a junior. high school. I retired in 2013. I don't know what those numbers are, but it's closer to 25 years than not. Okay. Throughout that process, my first job for the army was to operate equipment, back, loaders, things of that nature. Uh I then uh learned how to do explosives as a combat engineer. You build and you blow them up. I became now throughout those years I was what's called a traditional soldier,
013meaning you serve one weekend a month and two weeks out a year. It's a great program for those that are still in high school or college. Anyway, uh throughout that time, I had other life experiences. I was a part-time police officer. I worked at the Indiana State Prison. several other uh career choices. At the end of the day, I decided to go active duty with the National Guard. Um unfortunately for me, by that time, shortly thereafter rather, I come down with some health issues that eventually led to my retirement. But though I was not able to go on deployments, I had important job of finding young talented people just like you sitting in your chair and helping them figure out what career goal is best for them even if it did not include joining the
014military. So what I'm going to do is take advantage of this time to share with you that number one you guys decide to look into the military I highly encourage it. Number two make your after the military. Okay? Let the military teach you the things that you're going to need to know to be successful. All right? January 1st and first and then joined college years later school piloted. Good. Next question. Next question. I kind of heard a little bit on this already, but the question is, what advice would you give to a student who was considering serving our country in the military? >> Do it was the best decision I ever made. It was kind of funny because ended up working as a surgical nurse in open heart surgery. And while I knew after going
015to go to college, guess what? I never went to college. the army to do my jobs and make sure you are too in the long run. The benefits are great. When you first start out, it's awful. You don't need it. But when you get out, you realize all years ago it was the best day you ever had. It was the worst days of your life, but it was the best days of your life. You got to meet guys and hang out with them. You got to meet friends that still is a way of life. It's different, but it's a job. If you're not deployed, it's an 8 hour day job. You go to work, you're done. Each base has it own gym, has it own course, has everything. own community. And you also learn that
016we take care of each other on the side of the road. Guess what? He knows you're at least five. Same with >> I can say that because I look out here and I see a lot of you guys and girls. Sorry. I was Marines and they were dirt. I was in my old guy. >> So I'm very proud of anything. So the advice we have Look, there is definitely an equation to success regardless if you join the military or if you don't join the military. The military is nothing more than a vehicle to get you from where you're from where you're at today where you want to be down the road. If somebody decided to be a newspaper delivery person and they're happy doing that, well then they may have the level of success that
017they want to do. The question is what equation are you going to use to make you successful in the direction that you choose to go? And I submit this equation to you. And the reason I submit this equation is because many years ago we used to do when we were in uniform we would do meetings. Okay? And in one of these meetings we had uh general that was talking with us and given advice on uh how to be successful. So I can't this this equation is not an original idea to me but I'm sharing it with you and that equation is this faith family and finance as long as you put your faith first and to me is faith is God family second and finance Third, keep those things in perspective in that order and
018I promise all of you success. My advice is to first go out there and see what's out there and make a decision if you want to do it or not. And there's a lot to learn about where to get started. And also don't forget there's so many different ways to slice that. All right, good. All right, the next question is uh kind of interesting. Uh, and here's a question. Did you have a a nickname in the service? If so, what was it? If you're able to or willing to share it, you don't have to. >> The nickname I received So I mentioned I grew up on a farm. One of the things that we did was bail hay. And as a result of bailing hay as a young man, I had huge forearms. So they
019called me when I was in college. I was a unit called They say I was really jealous of the guys. So I got real I would ask you what your drill sergeants called you, but I don't think that would be fitting here for here. So, I won't do >> I won't do that. All right. Okay. Um, here's a good one. Did you ever encounter a place you were overseas or whatever? a different counter place not in the United States that you considered moving to? If so, why? >> No, not at all. >> No. Okay, next question. During your tour of duty or time in the service, what did you learn about different cultures? What culture did you encounter? What did you learn? >> You see a lot of cultures in the military. Asian, Hispanic, Puerto
020Rican, white, black, German, Russian, Ukrainian. You see them all. Growing up on a military base, we we saw them all too, but we didn't see them based on their skin. We saw the green guys that came as I was in the military. That's what we saw. The cultures are there, but everybody work together is the same whe that's the way it should be in the world as well. Shouldn't matter what you look like if you wear glasses. Not as smart as someone else. It should be that person's awesome. I'm going to learn Just to spin off that, I think um what I learned most about other cultures is about how close we are in being the same. We're all human beings. We all have the same wants, needs, desires. We simply speak different languages and
021we have different practices. And by experiencing more of these different cultures, I learned to grow a higher respect for the different cultures because it all kind of snowballs. And I would encourage each one of you to look into other cultures yourself. You know, I'm sure you spend like 100 hours on your phone a day. So like take five minutes and look up a culture a person who you know who comes from a different culture it started >> I mean you have a small place like this and you're all kind of different. It's kind of fun. It's always Another question along the same line. If you were ever deployed to another country, how did the people there treat you as US military? The Iraqis, the kids loved us, the adults didn't. We were infidels. We were
022They could always tell when they came in because by the time you leave there, you got a farmer's honest evil to it. I'm not going to share some of the stuff I've got to see, but it's out there. That's why I believe so heavenly and our heavenly father. If you were ever deployed to another country, how do the people there treat you? Thank you. Did I mention I'm the luckiest guy? >> Check this out. Back in 1998, I believe it was, I went with the unit to Italy, pizza, Italy. And this was so prior to war. Everything in was great. The Italians loved us. We loved them. We were treated with much respect and of course we treated them with respect. So my experience is completely different than the experience of my brothers up here.
023But uh thank you. Thank you. >> My experience outside people were And I was told not to facing water on top of us from outside the wire. Another time there was some national trying to help these jihadist groups to get through the wire on the news heads. They wanted you know guys sometimes we might get a little bit graphic in some of the things we say but here's what these are facts this is life this is what we signed up to do of You have to. Okay. So, we good. Next question. Let's see. Here it is. If you if you could change one thing about your time in the service, what would it be? Earlier you guys were in the army with me, so I'm just honestly the uh the education and stuff is topn
024of the best. I got kind of big headed. I like being where I was. I didn't like first joined was I didn't like people tell me what to do and tell me when I was E3 I was telling E6 and E7 but joining the Navy was was eye opener things that you just you take for granted sunsets while you're sitting in the middle of the moment when like In the army, you can walk everywhere. The difference between as a when I was with the Marines, the only thing I carried was my weapons and my ax. When I was with the army, I carried everything. The Marines carried all the cars. I didn't do it myself. They took care of their jobs. We're still going. We're still taking care of the Navy to me was just
025amazing. It's hard to explain the differ. I mean, you walk on an army base, believe it or not. You have your flag in the middle and every morning about 6:00 you hear colors. You know what is the rising flag and every base you stop your car get out of your car. If you don't, they know you're bothe I love my Marines. I really do. They were awesome. They're crazy. They're fun guys to be around with. They were young. change one thing about your time. >> I would have focus more on education because knowledge is power and that education is what's going to help you be successful not only in the military but your civilian career as well. Uh I did not focus enough on a college career and that's where I would have made a
026change. Other than that I would have done everything I'd say join real quick. Look, they are all great branches. They all serve a purpose that your primary mission at this juncture of your life is to figure out what you need to do, excuse me, what you need to do to be successful for yourself. For some of you, it might be joining the Marines to grow up. >> For others, it might be simply joining the Boy Scouts. Either way, it's okay. What's important is that you do your homework. You somebody who has the ability to mentor you in making these very important decisions. So therefore, you have the full ability to make an educated decision for yourself because once you make that decision, you got to follow through with it. Nobody else is going to do
027it for you. Two more questions. >> Okay. After your time in service or tour of duty, how difficult was it to reaclimate yourself to civilian life? >> It was kind of easy for me because I worked as a nurse in the hospital. So, we had military time. things are changing things. But my wife will tell you that when I first came home to the floor and just go hard sign out because that's what we talk to on a regular basis. A lot of them never acclimate to civilian life because what they experience leaves scars with them and their families for the rest of their lives, some of which never get over the wounds that they experience. And this is why programs like this is so important to the veterans to know that they are appreciated
028for what they went through and know they don't want to share what they went through with you because they signed up to do a job. They did their job. They come back. They're doing the best they can. But thank you each and every one of you. showing your appreciation. And I challenge all of you based on what I just said. Every time you see a veteran wear a hat or a jacket or any kind of military, please just walk up and say thank you. Nothing more, nothing less. I promise you'll be a bit accomplishment outside. So when I got back to my first question, what was your what was your proudest moment in the service? when I retired. My proudest moment is I received what we call service medal. I was a lead offic. What
029hit home was the fact that she was sitting She came in and her family was sitting there with a 5-year-old young son and at the time my son was 5 years old. So my daughter and all I could think about was if that was my wife or my sister or my mom. So I said a little prayer and we did the best that we could do and still went to the That was my proudest moment. I could get any medal you could imagine, but my proudest moment was saved her life. I'd say my proudest moment. There were some contans what we're going to do all And so I start my testap. So, okay, so system rockets fast. So, we get I'm talking to these guys on the radio and these guys are really doing my
030best to encourage them. We'll be there. We're going to clean this up. We're going to take care notes. But at that moment, I was ready to do everything. So, eventually we show up on target and there's a crowd of people around these guys. They got spatula robot arive ordinance guys and they're just getting shot up and all we had to do is show up the fighting stop and just got quiet and you could hear these guys how they are there. And so when we get close, I switch over and I'm trying to find these guys shoot around because you know what? The bad guys were so afraid they didn't want and they crowd the crowd out too. So the reason that I'm thankful I was there. All right. Thank you very much, guys. If you'd
031like, you can go down and sit down. Just one more thing here. The stairs there. All right. Any other veterans that are here today? >> All right. Very good. Thank you for being here. Appreciate your service. I'm glad you were able to come today. We're going to watch what we can of one last video. All right. And so we'll play that. Again, thanks everybody for being a good audience. And again, thanks to the gentleman here. Appreciate their time today. So, thank you very much.