Radio Address: Observe Veterans Day
November 11th is Veterans Day. The week’s radio address reminds us to take some time to remember and thank our brave men and women who have made the commitment and the sacrifice to serve our country.
This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
This Veterans Day, I hope all Michigan citizens will take a moment to recognize and thank Michigan’s brave service men and women, past and present. Serving in the armed forces is a great calling on behalf of our nation. From the Civil War to the World Wars to more recent conflicts across the globe, countless Michigan citizens have answered that call to duty. Today, thousands of Michigan soldiers, sailors, Marines, and those serving in the Air Force and the Coast Guard have answered that call in service to all of us.
Once again this year, our Michigan National Guard has provided outstanding service to both our state and our nation. Nearly 2,000 soldiers and airmen have deployed overseas where they provided base and convoy security with the Iraqi military police, contributed medical support in Iraq and administrative support in Kuwait. They’ve trained the Afghani army in everything from military tactics to establishing a successful civilian government.
The Michigan National Guard also responded to Hurricane Ike by providing aircraft support to our neighbors to the south. Michigan Army National Guard helicopters worked around the clock delivering food, water and medical supplies to those in need, many who lost everything during the storms.
Members of the Michigan National Guard also participated in numerous state and federal emergency response exercises this year to prepare for emergencies ranging from snow storms and tornados to a chemical spill or a terrorist attack. These exercises, carried out in cities from Sault Ste. Marie to Detroit, included large and small local, state and federal agencies.
Also this year, the Michigan National Guard deployed the largest formation in Michigan’s history: 960 soldiers from infantry and cavalry units across the state deployed together, headed to Iraq for a security and training mission. Later in their deployment, the Michiganians handed off security responsibility for Anbar province to the Iraqi authorities – a huge accomplishment.
To date, 168 Michigan men and women in uniform have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many, many more have been wounded in combat. These men and women, and those serving, and the families who sacrifice so much, will continue to be in our prayers.
I was honored to visit Michigan’s brave men and women in Iraq three years ago and have been proud to be a part of their deployment and homecoming ceremonies. Despite the danger they face, these soldiers always express more concern for the loved ones they leave behind than for themselves.
On this Veterans Day, let’s all say thank you to our brave members of the armed forces. Thank you for your sacrifices, thank you for your commitment to Michigan, thank you for your commitment to the United States of America.
God bless you and thank you for listening.
Consistent with Executive Order 2006-10 issued by the governor and the requirements of federal law, flags throughout Michigan should be displayed at half-staff on the morning of Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2008. Federal law provides that flags should be displayed at half-staff on Veterans’ Day until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
