Soldier On Award Transcript, Oct. 29, 2009
Today at 2:23pm
ADM. MICHAEL MULLEN: I’m almost at a loss for words – to recognize or to be with so many special people. Literally from the moment my wife, Deborah, and I walked in here tonight, you could just feel the pulse and the electricity and support in the community. And it is just a level of warmth and reach and comfort that is pretty special, pretty special.
And so, I am very grateful to accept. I accept this award, I really do accept it for the 2 million men and women who are serving right now, Active and Reserve and Guard, who make up the best military we’ve ever had in our country.
And it is also very sobering; it’s always sobering to be among so many special people and to be in a profession now that is as challenging and rewarding as there is. And I’m reminded of just, you know, a couple of thoughts.
I thought the chaplain said it well, but I never speak without asking all of us to keep in our thoughts and prayers, those who are serving now; many who are in harm’s way, literally as we speak; and that I know we are reminded very starkly of the challenges and the sacrifice just by what happened at Dover last night, when we returned 18 who had given their lives. And I am with them all the time and their families. Blessed to be here with Deborah, who is my compass, and as Jack said, and without whom I wouldn’t have the chance to serve. So and it’s thanks to them and their families.
I cannot be in the room with someone like Tom Kelly without asking him to stand up, I can’t do it.
And as a testament to Soldier On and to those who care so much, which that video captured, and there could be no better testament to the veracity, the tenacity, the dedication and the impact of Soldier On than that video.
And those who in so many ways made our lives possible and tonight and this organization possible because you served, you made a difference; you have clearly fought through tough times. And you stand as shining examples that in so many ways we should seek to be because of what you’ve done. And I just ask you as a group to stand up to say thanks.
Just a couple of thoughts. To Gordon Mansfield, who is a special guy. What he didn’t tell you – although he implied – is he actually took that phone call. And if you know anything about Washington, you know, you don’t have to take a lot of phone calls. (Laughter.) You can have somebody else if you don’t want to talk take the phone call.
Gordon didn’t just take the phone call; he made sure that that young Marine was well taken care of. And that also spoke to him as an individual and his reputation as the number two guy in the V.A. We’ve been blessed to have him a long time and blessed to have him in that job. And Gordon, it has been one of the great privileges of my life to be able to work with you and meet you. And thanks for all you’ve done, and continue to do, I know that.
What Bob Woodruff didn’t say is when we got to Afghanistan, we actually went while he was seeking the medics who helped him in Balad – what happened is we actually got to Bahrain where there was a hospital. And we went into that hospital and he actually ran into one of the individual who – still serving – saved his life when he was there in 2006.
Very special guy, married to a great woman, who has a gift – a gift beyond just that he’s good looking. He cares; his life has changed; both he and Lee and we know that. And has dedicated himself to make a difference in one of the toughest areas that we’ve got, which is those who have been wounded.
Deborah and I have been greatly blessed to know the Woodruffs and the difference that they make. We were actually at a conference not too long ago up at the Boston VA, where we were looking at trying to understand TBI and brain injuries, and how many hits in the head does it take, and what happens. And there were just a couple thoughts there, and it goes to the discussion, or the remarks earlier, that the sooner the better – the first 2 years.
And one of the doctors said to me, we don’t know a lot about these injuries but we do know that they are different. They are different from boxing; they are different from car crashes; they are different from football. And the sooner you get at them the better you are.
And one of the data points was a young 30-year-old who had a 67-year-old brain after several concussions. And I sat with a young soldier at Brook Army Medical who had a pretty serious TBI, and I just asked him what his background was; he says, well after the 30th explosion, it finally got me – too many.
And all those young people who were invulnerable in their 20s when they went, they are going to live to be 60, 70, 80 years old. So how much we can do now is critical to their life. And what you represent, and their families and taking care of them, and I call it the sea of goodwill that is so represented here in this community. If I could model this across the country, we could fix a lot of problems.
But there is a sea of goodwill in this country. So I’m grateful for your leadership and Jack, Steve, Steve, Ben, Lt. Gov. Murray and so many others – Pete Doherty – who I’ve met recently are dedicated to this same cause.
And the leadership is critical. Without it, federal, state, local, private, we are not going to be able to succeed. And with it, represented here, we can. And we had a long way to go because we grew up in organizations that were different – the V.A., DOD. But we’ve got leaders who are committed to making it work. And it is a great, great privilege to be able to serve with so many who care, and then to see how much difference can be made.
Homeless vets who are here, those who – and I think Don’s comment was just perfect. We didn’t get welcomed home from Vietnam. And this serves that purpose. We do have extraordinary support for our young men and women who serve right now. It has been extraordinary; it’s been something I’ve focused on because I was here when it wasn’t. And that support, no matter how you feel about what we’re doing, is special and critical and needs to be sustained.
So the leaders who helped us get there, the communities that wrapped their arms around so many, we are grateful and blessed for that. So thanks to all who made this evening possible. The relationships you clearly have – I think when I came in, Jack introduced me to a hundred people and knew every single name, which probably wouldn’t surprise you.
But the connections, the community, the commitment, the dedication, the sponsors who were here tonight – local sponsors, national sponsors – it really is the group together. And I’m just thrilled, humbled and grateful. And I really do believe that we can solve this problem.
We are a rich country; we are a rich people with the values that can make sure that everyone who serves is able to live their American dream. That’s who we are as a country. God bless you, take care of yourself, God bless our country.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Deborah greet formerly homeless veterans at the 1st Annual Soldier On award ceremony in Holyoke, Mass., Oct. 29, 2009. Mullen was the first recipient of the award created to recognize a person each year who works to stem homelessness among veterans. Soldier On operates shelters as transitional homes for veterans while providing medical care, counseling and career services. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley