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Biden: "I Have Everything To Hope, But Little To Fear"

Summary: 
Vice President Joe Biden's time with those serving and sacrificing now, and those who have done so over the centuries.

On Veterans Day, Vice President Joe Biden joins all Americans in honoring those who have fought and died for our country. Yesterday, in recognition of the seven soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last month, the Vice President visited Fort Lewis military base in Washington, where he spoke to a crowd of 500 people, recognizing the bravery and sacrifices of the fallen soldiers:

It's that valiance that we remember here today at Fort Lewis.  It's that valiance that we honor today at Fort Hood.  And it's that valiance that we'll celebrate tomorrow, our nation's 91st Veterans Day.

Today, these seven men take their place on the rolls of the greatest American heroes.  And the rest of us -- all the rest of America -- should once again be reminded and rededicate ourselves to a simple proposition:  The only sacred responsibility we have as a nation -- the only sacred responsibility we have as a nation -- is to give all those we send all they need, and care for them and their families when they come home.  That's the only truly sacred obligation our government has.  

Meriwether Lewis -- soldier, explorer, a leader of men -- when speaking of his historic expedition, said of those under his command, "With such men I have everything to hope, but little to fear."

Well, I say to all Americans today:  Knowing these seven men are watching over us now, and that our military is filled with thousands upon thousands of women and men like them -- I think we can believe that, even as we struggle with tragedy, even as we grapple with the profound loss and devastating grief, we can look up at the heavens, think of those heroes, and know with certainty that we have everything to hope, but little to fear, thanks to them.

Vice President Speaks at Fort Lewis

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the memorial service for seven soldiers killed by a roadside bomb on Oct. 27 in Afghanistan, at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.) November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Places Coins at Fort Lewis

Vice President Joe Biden places a coin in front of each pair of boots at the memorial service for seven soldiers killed by a roadside bomb on Oct. 27 in Afghanistan, at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.) November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Today, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a luncheon at the Naval Observatory for Veterans and active duty servicemembers along with their families. The Bidens, whose son Beau recently returned from Iraq, were joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

Biden Has a Talk on Veterans Day

Vice President Joe Biden greets attendees of a luncheon for veterans and their families at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington DC, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.) November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Dr. Biden on Veterans Day

Dr. Jill Biden speaks to veterans and their families flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki during a luncheon for veterans and their families at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington DC, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.) November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Biden Speaks to Veterans Day Luncheon

Vice President Joe Biden speaks to veterans and their families accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden and Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki during a luncheon for veterans and their families at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington DC, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.) November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)