Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, the 24th Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Veterans Administration, Denis McDonough at the Veterans Day Observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on the 40th anniversary of the memorial’s dedication, Nov. 11, 2022. (DoD photos by Chad J. McNeeley)

By Gary  Raynaldo          DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –   U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin saluted veterans during a service commemoration  at the Veterans Day Observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in the nation’s Capitol.   Standing in front of the famous granite wall constructed in 1982,   the Defense Secretary  recalled the service of some of the veterans of the Vietnam war.  

“For 40 years, this granite wall has never been just about history. This solemn place has beckoned visitors to feel the profound connection between the past and the present in the simplest of ways — by reaching out a hand and touching a name. Standing at the wall, hand outstretched, we feel that the sacrifices of these 58,281 fallen Americans remain with us. They shape who we are today, and they urge us to live up to America’s full promise.”

-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

Noting the sacrifices of the nation’s veterans,  Austin said  America is “safer and stronger.” The Defense Secretary added that “we owe our veterans not only our deepest gratitude but also our unwavering commitment to the democratic values that you have been so proud to defend.”  

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets the 24th Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel and Jan Scruggs, founder, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, at the Veterans Day Observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on the 40th anniversary of the memorial’s dedication, Nov. 11, 2022. (DoD photos by Chad J. McNeeley)

Defense Secretary Recalls Service of His Uncle in Vietnam

“I come from a family with a proud history of military service, and one of my uncles served in Vietnam as a communicator. He was the very first African-American Green Beret that I ever saw. He came home wearing … his jump boots and that green beret … those jump wings … he was very impressive. My uncle was deeply and quietly proud of what he had contributed. And his pride helped to inspire me to serve as well. My uncle showed me how meaningful service could be. And he showed me the way that one act of service can lead to many, many more.”