November 9, 2007
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today called on residents across the state to observe Veterans Day by thanking our brave members of the armed forces for their sacrifices and commitment to Michigan and to the United States throughout the years.
"Serving in the armed forces is perhaps the highest calling on behalf of our nation," Granholm said. "From the Civil War to the World Wars and conflicts of the 20th century, countless Michigan citizens have answered that call to duty. And today, thousands of Michigan soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen are answering that call in service to all of us.
"This year alone, our Michigan National Guard has fought a massive forest fire in the Upper Peninsula, provided base and convoy security with the Iraqi Military Police, contributed medical support in Iraq and administrative support in Kuwait. They've trained the Afghani army in everything from military tactics to establishing a successful government, and our Guard has helped secure our Mexican border in Arizona and New Mexico."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site (
www.michigan.gov/gov
) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
November 9, 2007
This Veterans Day weekend, every Michigan citizen should take a moment to recognize and thank our brave Michigan service men and women, past and present. Michigan citizens who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world are in our prayers.
Serving in the armed forces is perhaps the highest calling on behalf of our nation. From the Civil War to the World Wars and conflicts of the 20th century, countless Michigan citizens have answered that call to duty. And today, thousands of Michigan soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen are answering that call in service to all of us.
This year alone, our Michigan National Guard has fought a massive forest fire in the Upper Peninsula, provided base and convoy security with the Iraqi Military Police, contributed medical support in Iraq and administrative support in Kuwait. They've trained the Afghani army in everything from military tactics to establishing a successful government, and our Guard has helped secure our Mexican border in Arizona and New Mexico.
The challenges they face are mind-boggling, but their exceptional performance certainly makes us and their predecessors proud.
Just last month, one brave Michigan soldier - Sergeant Philip LaBonte - was presented with a Purple Heart during a Detroit Lions game. Sgt LaBonte was leading a patrol of the 46th MP Company in Baghdad when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He lost both legs and an eye, but he said his only thought as he was being moved for treatment was, "Thank God this is not one of my buddies."
Sgt. LaBonte's bravery and commitment to his fellow soldiers reflects his love of country and the shared purpose and compassion that is the best of what our country stands for. That makes the United States a beacon to people around the world, and it's why our brave service men and women and veterans are a saving grace to their fellow citizens.
To date, 159 Michigan men and women in uniform have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many, many more have been wounded in combat. But I can tell you that the soldiers I met in Iraq two years ago, and the soldiers I talk to year around at deployment and homecoming ceremonies, they have been truly brave in the face of death and in the face of injury. By far, their biggest worries are about leaving their families and their loved ones behind while they serve.
On this Veterans Day, let's all say thank you to our brave members of the armed forces. Thank you for your sacrifices, and thank you for your commitment to Michigan and to the United States of America.
God bless.
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