WEBVTT

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The 17 Sustainment Brigade honors the

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430,000 men and women who currently

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serve in the National Guard and all

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those who have sworn an oath to protect

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and defend our freedoms . These

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freedoms were bought and paid for by

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the sacrifices of our veterans . From

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Valley Forest to Kandahar , National

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Guard members have stood watch over our

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liberties , often at great personal

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cost . They have left the comfort of

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their homes to face unknown dangers .

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They have missed birthdays , holidays ,

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and precious moments with loved ones .

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Others have paid with their health ,

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bearing physical and emotional scars

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that may never fully heal , and some ,

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far too many , have paid the ultimate

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price , laying down their lives so that

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we might live in freedom . Their memory

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lives on in the freedoms we enjoy , and

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we honor their legacy by supporting the

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veterans who are still with us . We

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must also acknowledge the families of

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those who serve . Their strength and

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sacrifice have not gone unnoticed .

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They have kept the home fires burning

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during deployments , provided comfort

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during difficult times , and shown

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incredible resilience in the face of

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uncertainty . Today we honor them as

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well . Without fail , National

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Guard members have answered every call

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to support combating commanders around

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the globe and met every governor's

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request for assistance here at home .

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As I speak , more than 42,000 guard men

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and women are standing a post overseas

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helping their communities recover from

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natural disasters and securing our

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homeland . What binds all of us

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together across the years and across

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the conflicts is a shared commitment to

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duty , honor , and country . Our

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veterans have passed the torch of

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liberty from one generation to the next ,

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ensuring the flame of freedoms continue

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to burn brightly . Today , as we enjoy

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the blessings of liberty . Let's take a

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moment to reflect on the true cost of

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freedom . Behind every folded flag is

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a reminder that freedom isn't free .

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But it's worth fighting for . For those

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veterans who have served in the past

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and the current , guardsmen and women

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in the 50 states , 3 territories , and

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the District of Columbia , who have

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sacrificed to keep our nation strong .

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And 3 The 70 to stay in Margate .

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Thanks you .