On his final Veterans Day as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed profound gratitude to the nation’s veterans, emphasizing the need to honor their commitment and urging Americans to “heal wounds” and “keep faith” with one another.
During the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, Biden stated, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to lead you, to serve you, care for you, [and] to defend you just as you defended us.” The ceremony, which included a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a speech at the Memorial Amphitheater, was attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Drawing inspiration from Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, Biden called to “bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” He underscored that supporting veterans is a non-partisan responsibility, noting bipartisan legislation that has been passed to address veterans’ issues, including healthcare, housing, education, and workforce opportunities.
Biden also announced updates under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The Department of Veterans Affairs will expand the list of cancers covered to include all veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan, a site contaminated by toxic chemicals. This act aims to streamline access to healthcare for affected veterans. “We’re committed to getting this rule in place by the end of my term,” Biden pledged.
The president called veterans an inspiration, honoring their service both in and out of uniform, in roles like educators, firefighters, business leaders, and more. Biden encouraged the nation to follow veterans’ example of unity and sacrifice, saying, “This is the moment to come together as a nation, to keep faith in each other. The world is dependent on each of you and all of us, to keep honoring the women and men who have borne the battle and to protect everything they fought for.”