Let’s place politics aside and appreciate the moment for what it is. Yesterday, our great nation welcomed a new Commander-In-Chief. Over the past several weeks, I have been learning more about what the new President and First Lady think about the military and their families. Like all of you, I hope we continue to see appreciation and dedicated support to the military and their loved ones.
Last night, along with the rest of the world, I watched the President and the First Lady hop from one inaugural ball to another. My favorite ball (OK, perhaps I am biased) was the “Commander-In-Chief” Ball. This is one of newest balls honoring military personnel who have served, or are about to serve, in Iraq and Afghanistan
In case you missed it, below are the remarks of President Obama (a compilation of the President’s remarks from all inaugural balls attended can be found here):
OBAMA REMARKS AT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF INAUGURAL BALL
(21:43:08) OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you all for coming. (applause)
(21:23:17) Thank you. (applause) Thank you so much. Thanks to all of you.
(21:43:26) Tonight I have the very special honor as being known as the guy who accompanied Michelle Obama to the ball.
(21:43:41) I want to start by thanking tonight’s co hosts; the senior enlisted advisors of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces (applause).
(21:43:57) I want to acknowledge the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who are here with us as well. Thank you, gentlemen.
(21:44:09) I also want to recognize some very special guests. Three hundred wounded warriors who are joining us from (inaudible) (applause).
(21:44:26) I want to thank all of you for your service. I wish you quick and healthy recoveries.
(21:44:25) I know that you are more than ready to get home to your families. I know they are more than ready to have you back.
(21:44:43) I also want to take a moment to honor the families of the fallen, who are here with us tonight (applause).
(21:44:53) You have given so much to this country. Know that your loved ones sacrifice has been your sacrifice as well. Please know that you in our thoughts and prayers. Today, everyday, forever.
(21:45:18) And finally, I want to thank all of the enlisted men and women and junior officers here tonight (applause).
(21:45:32) It is wonderful to be surround by some of the very best and bravest Americans. Your courage, grace, and your patriotism inspire us all. To you, and to all those watching around the world, know that as President, I will have no greater honor or responsibility than serving as your commander in chief (applause).
(21:46:07) Right now, as we gather here in Washington, we are sobered by the knowledge that we have troops in all corners of the world, many of them in harms way. We are fighting to wars. We face dangerous threats to our security. We depend on the men and women of our armed services to keep us safe.
(21:46:31) We also know that service and sacrifice aren’t limited to those who wear the uniform. Because every time a serviceman redeploys, there is an empty seat at the table back home, and a family that has to bear an extra burden. That’s why Michelle has spent so much time these last few months working with our military families (applause).
(21:46:57) And that’s why tonight we don’t just salute our troops, we salute the military families who have earned the respect of a grateful nation (applause).
(21:47:10) Understand, tonight isn’t simply about the inauguration of an American President. Its a celebration of our military and our military families, so going forward you will have our support and our respect.
(21:47:24) You will have a great Secretary of Defense in Bob Gates. You will have a great Secretary of Veterans affairs in General Erik Shinseki (applause).
(21:47:37) And every single day that I am in the White house, I will try to serve you as well as you are serving the United States of America.
(21:47:47) As I said earlier today, while the tests we face are new, and the ways in which we meet them may be new, the values on which our success depends are old. Those values like hard work and honesty, courage and tolerance, loyalty and patriotism, those are values that are embodied in our armed forces. What’s required is for all of us to return to those values, what’s required is all of us to embrace a new era of responsibility where we expect and demand not only more of our leaders, but more of ourselves.
(21:48:26) So tonight, we celebrate, but tomorrow the work begins. And I look forward to joining you in that effort. Together I am confident that we will write the next great chapter in Americas story.
(21:48:43) Now, Ive got a little surprise for some of you. As I said before, we have folks who are working right now, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it appears, if our technology works the way its supposed to, that we should have members of the Illinois Army National Guard 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Unit based in Urbana Illinois. Hey guys.
(21:49:25) (Soldiers start speaking.)
(21:49:49) OBAMA: Before you say anything, else can you please introduce the rest of your crew there?
(21:49:49) (Soldiers speaking. Soldier invites Obama to Afghanistan).
(21:50:21) OBAMA: I will be back.
(21:50:27) (Soldiers speaking).
(21:50:59) OBAMA: Can I ask a question before you pass on the mic — we’ve got three Chicago guys, this is an important test — White Sox or Cubs?
(21:51:11) Soldier: Cubs fan
(21:51:27) OBAMA: Go to the next guy, lets see if we can find a White Sox fan.
(21:51:30) (Soldiers speaking)
(21:52:31) OBAMA: Well Sgt. Major, we may be outnumbered, us White Sox fans, but whether youre a White Sox, Cubs, or Cardinals, we got some folks probably from Scott Air force Base or something down in Metro East. No matter were you are from, we are all grateful to you for your outstanding service, you make us proud, and we are going to do everything we can to make your work go smoother, and you need to know that every single American, regardless of party, regardless of what their politics are, support you, and will always support you. Thank you so much. (applause).
(21:53:28) Thank you everybody, and I will see you either back home or out where you guys are. Thank you. And we salute you.
(21:53:45) Now. Give them a big round of applause please.
(21:54:00) With that, we have one more person that I need to introduce, that would be the first lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama (applause).
(21:54:21) I may have been stood up.
(21:54:26) (Michelle Obama comes out)
(21:54:38) (The Obamas Dance)
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