thank you to all of our veterans and families and once again, welcome arlington national cemetery. i will be followed by the national commander of the jewish war veterans. thank you. [applause] >> president biden, secretary mcdonough, director aguilera, distinguished guests. my fellow veterans, ladies and gentlemen. on veterans day at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause for a few reef moments to honor and pay tribute. he said the willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any way shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. let us remember treated and appreciated. engraved on the korean war memorial is a symbol but powerful phrase, freedom is not free. the freedoms we enjoy today were made possible by the more than 19 million living veterans and countless others who served in the defense of our country. the symbols of america and freedom are interlocked. they are present here today. the flags flying, the white grave markers, and all of us, the veterans and ser

on behalf of the dedicated men and women who serve here, welcome to arlington national cemetery. i would like to extend a warm welcome to the 46th president of the united states, president joe biden. thank you, mr. president for being here today. and our first lady, jill biden, welcome. the secretary of defense, the honorable lloyd austin. dennis mcdonough and his wife. the secretary of the army. chief of staff joe mcconville. and his wife maria, welcome. the national commander of the jewish war veterans. thank you. for being a veteran service organizations host and your participation in this important national observance. all dignitaries and families and everyone watching from across our great nation, thank you for being with us today. the cemetery is beautiful this time of year. it is fitting that we once again recognize our veterans on these hallowed grounds. today is a celebration of honor, duty, patriotism. arlington national cemetery is a solemn place surrounded by over 400,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coast guar men, and of families who have proudly served our n