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I’ve lost, like many of you, three good friends in the last month: Yours is a remarkable story it will never be forgotten.Īnd we’ll also never forget the stories of American leaders and icons we’ve lost recently who shaped our nation in ways that are hard to measure. Wounded, unable to leave the area, he evaded capture for eight days until finally federal - friendly forces retook the position. During the Vietnam War, then-First Lieutenant Thacker put the safety of his fellow troops above his own, providing cover fire against an attacking enemy, and even calling in artillery fire on his own position so our forces had a better chance to withdraw. I’d like to recognize one of our national heroes who is here today: Medal of Honor recipient, Mr. To all our veterans, past and present, we thank you, we honor you, and we remember always what you’ve done for us. And thank you for raising such a fine man, Tony Blinken, our Secretary of State. Ambassador, thank you for your service during World War Two, as well as your service as an ambassador. I’m 50 years old and the ambassador is 47.īut all kidding aside, Mr. How do you feel about being 47?” He said, “Boys, that’s not how I look at it.” They said, “How do you look at it, Satch?” He said, “I look at it this way: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” No one’s ever, ever pitched a win at age 47. (Laughs.) And all the press went in and said, “Satch, it’s amazing - 47 years old. His name was Satchel Paige.Īnd Satchel Paige, on his 47th birthday, pitched a win against Chicago. (Applause.) Thank you for your service to our country.Īnd I just want to tell you, I know you’re a little younger than I am, but, you know, I’ve adopted the attitude of the great Negro - at the time, pitcher in the Negro Leagues - went on to become a great pitcher in the pros - in the Major League Baseball after Jackie Robinson. I want to welcome all the Cabinet members and honored guests joining us today, including the father of our Secretary of State, who served in the Army Air Corps during World War Two, Ambassador Donald Blinken, whose birthday is today. And I must say to you that the single greatest honor I’ve been afforded as President is to stand before so many of you, those Medal of Honor winners out there, and talk about Veterans Day and veterans. Secretary.įolks, being President of the United States, you are afforded many opportunities to try to express your love, commitment, and admiration for the American people.