WEBVTT 00:00.140 --> 00:02.010 Thank you , Secretary Panetta , 00:02.010 --> 00:03.843 Secretary Mchugh General and Mrs 00:03.843 --> 00:05.880 Dempsey , Sergeant Major and mrs 00:05.880 --> 00:09.140 Chandler Sergeant 1st class Petrie mrs 00:09.140 --> 00:11.251 Petrie , the extended Petrie family . 00:11.251 --> 00:14.010 So many distinguished guests here today , 00:14.010 --> 00:15.788 particularly the Medal of Honor 00:15.788 --> 00:17.677 recipients who honor us with your 00:17.677 --> 00:20.240 presence . Good afternoon . This is a 00:20.240 --> 00:22.770 gathering of warriors and those who 00:22.770 --> 00:25.780 live and work with and among warriors . 00:25.780 --> 00:27.947 I am honored to be with you and I very 00:27.947 --> 00:30.169 much appreciate this opportunity to say 00:30.169 --> 00:32.169 a few words about the extraordinary 00:32.169 --> 00:34.350 soldier to whom we pay tribute today . 00:35.040 --> 00:37.430 Sergeant first class Leroy Petry is an 00:37.440 --> 00:40.660 army ranger , particularly fierce tribe 00:40.660 --> 00:43.240 of soldiers . The task force that 00:43.240 --> 00:45.070 included his ranger company in 00:45.070 --> 00:47.220 Afghanistan also counted special 00:47.220 --> 00:49.590 operations personnel from the Navy , 00:49.600 --> 00:52.220 Air Force and Marine Corps among its 00:52.220 --> 00:54.670 ranks and together they formed a force 00:54.720 --> 00:58.040 with spirit , skill and courage beyond 00:58.040 --> 01:01.160 any of the world has ever seen . Most 01:01.160 --> 01:02.827 of this force had many combat 01:02.827 --> 01:05.440 deployments . Most had courageously 01:05.440 --> 01:08.030 faced armed and brutal enemies . Close 01:08.030 --> 01:10.940 up , most had mourned the loss of 01:10.950 --> 01:14.150 teammates and friends . Most have 01:14.150 --> 01:17.680 families , all have dreams . These are 01:17.680 --> 01:20.150 men who live the warrior's ethos who 01:20.150 --> 01:22.950 will not quit , who will not fail their 01:22.950 --> 01:25.590 comrades . These are men who will do 01:25.590 --> 01:28.060 what it takes to complete the mission 01:28.440 --> 01:31.430 and protect their buddies , Sergeant 01:31.430 --> 01:33.920 First class Leroy Petry embodies what 01:33.920 --> 01:37.330 makes these men so highly valued by all 01:37.330 --> 01:40.340 of us . I'm reminded that when I pinned 01:40.340 --> 01:42.440 to the Purple Heart medal on then 01:42.440 --> 01:44.218 recently injured staff Sergeant 01:44.218 --> 01:47.190 Petrie's chest . About 2.5 years ago I 01:47.190 --> 01:49.301 asked him what he had learned on that 01:49.301 --> 01:51.500 operation and he first said that if he 01:51.500 --> 01:54.220 could do it over , he grabbed the enemy 01:54.220 --> 01:56.331 grenade with his left hand because he 01:56.331 --> 01:58.553 was struggling to re learn penmanship . 02:00.240 --> 02:02.290 And he immediately said no , he was 02:02.290 --> 02:04.457 glad he used his right hand because it 02:04.457 --> 02:06.623 gave him the best chance of saving his 02:06.623 --> 02:08.790 teammates . And he'd learned to get by 02:08.790 --> 02:11.123 just fine without his right hand . Well , 02:11.123 --> 02:13.012 the sergeant , first class Petrie 02:13.012 --> 02:14.790 deployed to Afghanistan to help 02:14.790 --> 02:16.623 accomplish our nation's military 02:16.623 --> 02:18.734 mission . There A specific heroic act 02:18.734 --> 02:21.300 on May 26 2008 had little to do with 02:21.300 --> 02:24.990 his patriotic duty at that moment . In 02:24.990 --> 02:27.940 that place he did what he did for his 02:27.940 --> 02:31.260 teammates . No one knows exactly what 02:31.260 --> 02:34.410 happened in his brain and soul . At the 02:34.410 --> 02:36.410 precise instant he went towards the 02:36.410 --> 02:38.577 hand grenade instead of away from it . 02:39.040 --> 02:40.984 But those who have experienced the 02:40.984 --> 02:43.010 chaos of the close fight understand 02:43.010 --> 02:45.260 that it was not a deliberate decision . 02:45.940 --> 02:47.773 It was an instinctive response , 02:48.440 --> 02:50.440 conditioned by demanding training , 02:51.040 --> 02:53.360 extensive combat experience and a bond 02:53.360 --> 02:55.527 with his fellow rangers . That was and 02:55.527 --> 02:59.240 is undeniable . It was not in his pre 02:59.240 --> 03:01.296 mission briefing , but it was in his 03:01.296 --> 03:04.020 character and other men live because he 03:04.020 --> 03:07.280 is who he is . It is clear that 03:07.280 --> 03:09.113 Sergeant first class Petra is an 03:09.113 --> 03:11.224 extraordinary soldier , an impressive 03:11.224 --> 03:13.336 ranger and a great husband and father 03:13.940 --> 03:15.800 and as he joins the others whose 03:15.800 --> 03:18.460 actions earned them a place in the Hall 03:18.460 --> 03:20.440 of Heroes , we're in the Special 03:20.440 --> 03:22.810 operations forces , take intense pride 03:22.820 --> 03:26.210 in him . Leroy , you epitomize the 03:26.210 --> 03:28.570 spirit and ethos of our nation's most 03:28.580 --> 03:30.930 intrepid warriors and on behalf of a 03:30.930 --> 03:32.708 grateful and respectful special 03:32.708 --> 03:34.850 operations community . Absolutely . 03:39.440 --> 03:39.760 Oh , 03:48.760 --> 03:49.760 what ? 03:54.210 --> 03:57.070 Yeah . Ladies and gentlemen , the Chief 03:57.070 --> 03:58.348 of Staff of the army . 04:01.940 --> 04:04.051 Well , thank you all for being here . 04:04.051 --> 04:05.940 Let me add my appreciation to the 04:05.940 --> 04:08.240 senior civilian and military leaders 04:08.240 --> 04:10.462 who have gathered here today to help us 04:10.640 --> 04:12.196 recognize the extraordinary 04:12.196 --> 04:14.418 accomplishments of Sergeant first Class 04:14.418 --> 04:16.418 Leroy Petry and his family . Let me 04:16.418 --> 04:18.584 straight from my prepared remarks just 04:18.584 --> 04:20.473 to tell you about the locker room 04:20.473 --> 04:20.280 chatter . You know what that is , right . 04:20.280 --> 04:22.502 Landon little locker room chatter . You 04:22.502 --> 04:26.150 don't austin square moy . Um 04:26.640 --> 04:28.751 locker room chatter is the , what you 04:28.751 --> 04:30.918 hear behind the scenes . You know , as 04:30.918 --> 04:33.084 the Petri family goes by or if someone 04:33.084 --> 04:35.140 has had the opportunity to encounter 04:35.140 --> 04:37.196 them . The locker room chatter about 04:37.196 --> 04:39.307 the Petrie's is that you know , we're 04:39.307 --> 04:41.473 really proud that this soldier won the 04:41.473 --> 04:43.418 Medal of Honor is a Medal of Honor 04:43.418 --> 04:45.362 recipient . But what's really cool 04:45.362 --> 04:47.418 about the whole thing is the kind of 04:47.418 --> 04:49.473 person he is the kind of family they 04:49.473 --> 04:51.584 are . We've we had the opportunity to 04:51.584 --> 04:53.640 have them over for dinner . I'm just 04:53.640 --> 04:55.862 telling those of you that haven't had a 04:55.862 --> 04:55.070 chance to see them in a variety of 04:55.070 --> 04:57.640 circumstances . This is an all american 04:57.640 --> 04:59.900 family . They're they're tight . They 04:59.900 --> 05:02.011 love each other . They are supportive 05:02.011 --> 05:04.178 of each other . They could not be more 05:04.178 --> 05:06.178 polite and courteous . And so let's 05:06.178 --> 05:07.789 give the Petri family around 05:07.789 --> 05:14.460 a 05:16.440 --> 05:18.980 Yeah , no , 05:21.640 --> 05:24.000 we're proud of you . Today . We gather 05:24.000 --> 05:26.222 to celebrate the courage and service of 05:26.222 --> 05:28.580 an american hero as we induct him into 05:28.580 --> 05:30.660 our Hall of Heroes . This Hall of 05:30.660 --> 05:32.880 Heroes is sacred ground that serves as 05:32.880 --> 05:35.580 a reminder of the extraordinary serves 05:35.580 --> 05:37.880 service and sacrifice of Valorous 05:37.880 --> 05:40.980 soldiers throughout our history . Long 05:40.980 --> 05:43.120 before that day in Paktika province , 05:43.180 --> 05:45.402 Afghanistan . Certain first class Petri 05:45.402 --> 05:47.458 demonstrated his courage and resolve 05:47.458 --> 05:49.569 simply by deciding to raise his right 05:49.569 --> 05:51.680 hand and joined the ranks of American 05:51.680 --> 05:53.680 soldiers as an infantryman , 1999 . 05:53.840 --> 05:56.200 Over 300 million americans enjoy their 05:56.200 --> 05:59.090 freedom and prosperity today because 05:59.090 --> 06:01.312 men and women like Sergeant First class 06:01.312 --> 06:03.479 Petrie are willing to stand up and say 06:03.479 --> 06:06.400 send me to capture the essence of 06:06.400 --> 06:08.289 sergeant . First class Petrie . I 06:08.289 --> 06:10.178 grabbed a poem from ralph Waldo . 06:10.178 --> 06:12.900 Emerson written in about 18 46 talking 06:12.900 --> 06:15.122 about what it means to be an american , 06:15.122 --> 06:17.289 but notably the best of what's America 06:17.289 --> 06:20.420 it requires with courage , stout souls 06:20.430 --> 06:23.540 above doubt . Fowler unbending . It 06:23.540 --> 06:26.600 will reward . They shall return more 06:26.600 --> 06:29.060 than they were and ever ascending 06:29.440 --> 06:31.662 Sergeant First class Petri lives by the 06:31.662 --> 06:33.790 courage , valor and dedication that 06:33.800 --> 06:36.150 Emerson used to describe american 06:36.150 --> 06:38.317 heroes throughout our history . When I 06:38.317 --> 06:40.372 think about the Hall of Heroes , I'm 06:40.372 --> 06:42.372 struck by how fortunate we are as a 06:42.372 --> 06:44.206 country to have generation after 06:44.206 --> 06:46.039 generation of men and women Like 06:46.039 --> 06:47.817 Sergeant first class Petri , he 06:47.817 --> 06:49.928 represents the best of our nation and 06:49.928 --> 06:53.460 today we honor his valor . Unbending . 06:54.040 --> 06:56.410 Now you can read about what he did in 06:56.410 --> 06:58.632 the brochures that you were given . But 06:58.632 --> 07:00.854 I want to speak for just a moment about 07:00.854 --> 07:04.100 what he did meant . I often ask myself 07:04.110 --> 07:06.277 why are young men and women do what we 07:06.277 --> 07:08.780 ask them to do ? I asked myself why do 07:08.780 --> 07:11.002 they leave the safety of their families 07:11.002 --> 07:13.113 in their hometowns and put themselves 07:13.113 --> 07:15.250 in harm's way . The answer to that 07:15.250 --> 07:17.860 question is as simple as it is profound . 07:18.240 --> 07:20.720 Our profession , the profession of arms 07:20.730 --> 07:23.610 is built on a foundation of trust . We 07:23.610 --> 07:25.777 trust in our leaders , we trust in our 07:25.777 --> 07:27.660 fellow soldiers . We trusted our 07:27.660 --> 07:29.950 families will be cared for . We trust 07:29.950 --> 07:32.480 in our equipment and most of all we 07:32.480 --> 07:34.610 trust that we care enough about each 07:34.610 --> 07:37.260 other to risk our lives for each other . 07:37.740 --> 07:39.800 Sgt . 1st class Petrie's actions 07:39.810 --> 07:42.900 validate that trust and that is the 07:42.900 --> 07:45.140 enduring gift that he has given to us 07:45.140 --> 07:47.340 as an army and to our nation . Let's 07:47.340 --> 07:50.640 give him another round of applause Yeah . 07:51.940 --> 07:55.740 Mhm . Yeah . Yeah . 07:57.440 --> 08:00.880 Yeah . Our army has a 08:00.880 --> 08:04.650 236 year legacy of service of sacrifice 08:04.660 --> 08:06.827 and valor . And today we're incredibly 08:06.827 --> 08:08.938 fortunate and I am immensely proud to 08:08.938 --> 08:11.104 induct certain first class Leroy Petry 08:11.104 --> 08:13.327 into the Hall of heroes . May God bless 08:13.327 --> 08:15.382 you , your family , all of those who 08:15.382 --> 08:17.549 serve and their families and may . God 08:17.549 --> 08:20.660 bless America . Thank you . Mhm . Okay . 08:21.140 --> 08:22.140 Mhm . 08:25.040 --> 08:26.640 Mhm . Yeah . 08:28.740 --> 08:30.962 Ladies and gentlemen , the Secretary of 08:30.962 --> 08:30.860 the Army . 08:35.240 --> 08:39.050 Good afternoon Sergeant . I've been 08:39.060 --> 08:41.282 telling you and your bride for the last 08:41.282 --> 08:45.280 two weeks how special it is that we 08:45.280 --> 08:47.970 have the chance to honor you . And I 08:47.970 --> 08:50.192 will tell you normally to get this kind 08:50.192 --> 08:52.248 of crowd , we've got to give away an 08:52.248 --> 08:54.580 automobile . So there are no door 08:54.580 --> 08:57.250 prizes that I know of . So I think the 08:57.250 --> 09:00.660 fact that we see so many great leaders 09:00.660 --> 09:03.160 here speaks very directly to the great 09:04.040 --> 09:06.250 and humbling feeling . We hold in our 09:06.250 --> 09:09.060 hearts for you , for your family , 09:10.340 --> 09:13.440 for your Children of course , and begs 09:13.440 --> 09:15.890 the question who the hell is running 09:15.890 --> 09:17.240 the army right now . 09:19.530 --> 09:22.160 Secretary Panetta , sir , welcome home 09:22.840 --> 09:25.390 after a great trip as the world that 09:25.390 --> 09:27.700 you and I previously lived in . The 09:27.700 --> 09:29.867 measure is great press . You got great 09:29.867 --> 09:31.980 press . So it was a great trip . But 09:31.980 --> 09:34.036 most importantly , thank you sir for 09:34.036 --> 09:36.460 once again in your long career heeding 09:36.470 --> 09:38.800 the call of service And uh all of us 09:38.800 --> 09:40.911 are thrilled that you're here in this 09:40.911 --> 09:43.133 building and looking forward to working 09:43.133 --> 09:45.690 with you chief . This is yeah . Mrs 09:45.690 --> 09:47.634 Dempsey . I'm trying to think of a 09:47.634 --> 09:49.810 punch line . I can't do that . Admiral 09:49.810 --> 09:52.570 nelson man . It's our major Miss 09:52.570 --> 09:55.740 Chandler device . All these raise the 09:55.740 --> 09:57.796 Under Secretary of the Army . Many , 09:57.796 --> 10:00.850 many under secretaries of Defense and I 10:00.850 --> 10:03.017 feel like I'm looking at the Milky Way 10:03.017 --> 10:05.183 at midnight with all these stars . But 10:05.183 --> 10:06.961 as I said , they truly do speak 10:06.961 --> 10:09.360 directly to the great admiration we 10:09.360 --> 10:11.590 hold . And I want to thank all of you 10:11.590 --> 10:14.440 for being here for being a very special 10:14.440 --> 10:16.273 part of what obviously is a very 10:16.273 --> 10:18.840 special occasion . But I want to give a 10:18.840 --> 10:21.110 particular tip of the hat to uh a 10:21.110 --> 10:22.832 number of other Medal of Honor 10:22.832 --> 10:24.777 recipients who have joined us here 10:24.777 --> 10:26.943 today . Although I can't pick them out 10:26.943 --> 10:29.590 right here at this moment . But I I 10:29.600 --> 10:31.830 trust they are with us . Lieutenant 10:31.830 --> 10:34.052 General robert Foley , Colonel Harvey , 10:34.052 --> 10:36.140 Barnum , Colonel Bruce Crandall and 10:36.140 --> 10:39.010 First Lieutenant brian thacker . When I 10:39.010 --> 10:41.940 was preparing for today's ceremony , I 10:41.940 --> 10:43.940 watched some of the interviews that 10:43.940 --> 10:46.162 Leroy had done with Army television and 10:46.162 --> 10:50.050 one of the sessions that he partook in . 10:50.050 --> 10:52.217 And he said that after learning he was 10:52.217 --> 10:54.550 being awarded the Medal of Honor , Army , 10:54.550 --> 10:56.300 Special Operations Commander , 10:56.480 --> 10:58.536 Lieutenant General John Mulholland , 10:58.536 --> 11:01.380 who is here ? I told him that , I quote , 11:01.390 --> 11:03.723 your rucksack just got a little heavier . 11:03.723 --> 11:05.890 But don't think you have to carry that 11:05.890 --> 11:07.890 on your own . Well , Leroy , I will 11:07.890 --> 11:09.834 tell you . General Foley , Colonel 11:09.834 --> 11:12.030 Barnum , Colonel Crandall , Lieutenant 11:12.030 --> 11:14.120 thacker and all those who have 11:14.130 --> 11:17.000 gloriously gone before can help you 11:17.010 --> 11:19.610 make that rucksack a little lighter as 11:19.610 --> 11:21.900 well through their experience , their 11:21.900 --> 11:24.760 inspiration , their service sacrifice 11:24.760 --> 11:27.990 and valor . But to those four gentlemen , 11:27.990 --> 11:31.990 I would tell you your answer quite a 11:31.990 --> 11:35.760 bit stronger this day . Sergeant Petrie 11:35.760 --> 11:37.920 joins your small and elite group of 11:37.920 --> 11:40.031 american warriors who have earned our 11:40.031 --> 11:41.920 nation's highest military honor . 11:41.920 --> 11:44.142 Gentlemen , thank you so much for being 11:44.142 --> 11:46.198 here . And your continued service as 11:46.198 --> 11:48.710 well . Sergeant 1st . Yeah , 11:48.720 --> 11:58.160 please . 12:00.540 --> 12:03.720 Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Arthur 12:03.730 --> 12:07.110 Petry . Now , I don't think this event 12:07.110 --> 12:09.610 really needs any more poignancy , but 12:09.620 --> 12:11.842 I'd like all of you to think about that 12:11.842 --> 12:14.064 name . Really . Think about how long it 12:14.064 --> 12:16.009 took me to say it . Sergeant first 12:16.009 --> 12:19.220 class Leroy Arthur Petry , It's about 12:19.220 --> 12:21.600 the same amount of time . I suspect 12:21.600 --> 12:23.767 that the good sergeant had to react to 12:23.767 --> 12:26.240 move toward that grenade , his admirals 12:26.240 --> 12:28.462 and said when every instinct would tell 12:28.462 --> 12:31.810 most of us to go the other way to take 12:31.810 --> 12:34.040 that grenade that was thrown at him to 12:34.050 --> 12:37.790 throw it away . And as a result save 12:37.790 --> 12:40.300 his ranger buddies and save the lives 12:40.300 --> 12:42.300 of Sergeant Dan Higgins and Private 12:42.300 --> 12:44.760 first class Lucas Robinson . And he did 12:44.760 --> 12:46.482 it by the way , having already 12:46.482 --> 12:49.650 sustained rather severe wounds , wounds 12:49.650 --> 12:52.330 in both of his legs . Now , I don't 12:52.330 --> 12:54.330 know about the rest of you , but it 12:54.330 --> 12:56.552 takes me longer than that to punch in a 12:56.552 --> 12:58.497 new channel on the tv remote . But 12:58.497 --> 13:00.663 that's the amount of time it took this 13:00.663 --> 13:02.608 hero to step forward and to do the 13:02.608 --> 13:05.220 right thing . It was certainly his 13:05.220 --> 13:07.640 training . It was certainly his courage , 13:07.650 --> 13:10.910 a little bit of instinct suspects , But 13:10.910 --> 13:13.077 I gotta believe as well , having spent 13:13.077 --> 13:15.299 some time with his family over the last 13:15.299 --> 13:17.299 several days . It was also a bit of 13:17.299 --> 13:19.354 growing up with two older brothers , 13:19.354 --> 13:21.577 two younger brothers and a whole passel 13:21.577 --> 13:23.688 of cousins where I'm guessing you had 13:23.688 --> 13:23.050 to be pretty quick if you're gonna get 13:23.050 --> 13:25.161 your fair share at the dinner table . 13:25.161 --> 13:27.460 And uh looking at the good sergeant 13:27.460 --> 13:30.040 strapping guy that he is seems at the 13:30.040 --> 13:33.150 dinner table he was quick enough but 13:35.640 --> 13:37.750 I mean that in a very physically fit 13:37.750 --> 13:38.460 way . So 13:41.940 --> 13:44.160 but no matter what the reason what he 13:44.160 --> 13:47.440 did is what makes he the other four 13:47.450 --> 13:49.660 recipients that are with us here today 13:49.660 --> 13:51.827 and those who have gone before so very 13:51.827 --> 13:54.910 special . one of the elite and perhaps 13:54.910 --> 13:57.140 his former platoon leader Captain Kyle 13:57.140 --> 13:59.307 Packard summed it up best when he said 13:59.740 --> 14:02.240 Sergeant Petry is the epitome of a non 14:02.240 --> 14:04.440 commissioned officer . He relentlessly 14:04.440 --> 14:06.440 accomplishes his mission whether in 14:06.440 --> 14:09.120 combat or in training rangers with the 14:09.120 --> 14:11.850 utmost professionalism and zeal without 14:11.850 --> 14:14.490 the desire for recognition or reward . 14:14.490 --> 14:16.323 Well sergeant you may not desire 14:16.323 --> 14:18.760 recognition a reward but you sure have 14:18.760 --> 14:21.860 the grit , the courage and just the 14:22.340 --> 14:26.230 basic willingness to do it . And it's 14:26.230 --> 14:28.119 that quiet professionalism . That 14:28.119 --> 14:30.286 selfless service really struck me when 14:30.286 --> 14:32.397 we first met in my office a number of 14:32.397 --> 14:34.119 weeks ago . And if you saw him 14:34.119 --> 14:36.063 yesterday at the White House under 14:36.063 --> 14:38.119 pretty intense circumstances I would 14:38.119 --> 14:40.174 think he was quick to smile quick to 14:40.174 --> 14:42.286 laugh . And despite the weight of the 14:42.286 --> 14:44.508 historic honor that at that time he was 14:44.508 --> 14:46.286 about to receive and now he has 14:46.286 --> 14:48.770 received he was so unaffected , so 14:48.770 --> 14:50.830 personable so human and I really 14:50.830 --> 14:52.719 thought to myself he could be any 14:52.719 --> 14:54.930 soldiers . He could particularly be a 14:54.930 --> 14:57.300 representative of the entire N . C . O . 14:57.310 --> 15:00.010 Corps , the ranger role model of 15:00.010 --> 15:02.380 character , professional and personal 15:02.480 --> 15:05.340 excellence . No I think it probably 15:05.340 --> 15:08.030 would have been pretty easy given his 15:08.030 --> 15:10.970 actions given his injuries for the good 15:10.970 --> 15:13.420 sergeant to leave the army to collect 15:13.420 --> 15:15.600 this incredibly high honor , declare 15:15.600 --> 15:17.767 victory and walk off into the sunset . 15:18.540 --> 15:20.910 But no that's not what he chose to do . 15:20.920 --> 15:24.370 He chose to continue to serve to be 15:24.370 --> 15:26.810 that role model and work with wounded 15:26.810 --> 15:28.650 warriors ill and injured service 15:28.650 --> 15:32.010 members and their families . I want to 15:32.010 --> 15:34.010 tell you , we are grateful . We are 15:34.010 --> 15:36.066 humbled by your continued service to 15:36.066 --> 15:38.288 this nation and to those who have stood 15:38.288 --> 15:40.970 beside you in your ranks and who to 15:40.970 --> 15:43.760 have so proudly served in the uniform 15:44.240 --> 15:46.720 of the United States military . Now 15:46.720 --> 15:48.553 throughout his military career , 15:48.553 --> 15:50.700 Sergeant Petry has had his alpha and 15:50.700 --> 15:53.610 bravo . Team leaders . Well when he's 15:53.610 --> 15:56.860 at home he has a Another team leader . 15:56.860 --> 15:59.210 What we in the army call his household 15:59.210 --> 16:02.850 six . His wife Ashley . Now 16:03.240 --> 16:05.351 there's a little story about how they 16:05.351 --> 16:06.060 first met 16:11.140 --> 16:13.307 Gee . I should just leave it like that 16:13.307 --> 16:15.840 and let the suspect it's gonna . Well 16:15.850 --> 16:18.072 now I got to tell him it seems and it's 16:18.072 --> 16:21.420 not that bad after all . Leroy was out 16:21.420 --> 16:23.642 celebrating because he thought he'd won 16:23.642 --> 16:25.698 the lottery . I happen to believe he 16:25.698 --> 16:27.753 was celebrating . Then he thought he 16:27.753 --> 16:29.309 won the lottery . But mhm . 16:31.940 --> 16:34.107 But it's his story . So I'm gonna I'll 16:34.107 --> 16:35.996 go along with it . But one of the 16:35.996 --> 16:38.770 people everybody agrees that he met out 16:38.770 --> 16:40.992 that night was the woman who had become 16:40.992 --> 16:43.780 the love of his life . Now as his squad 16:43.780 --> 16:46.002 leader noted the next day is only squad 16:46.002 --> 16:48.620 leaders . Can I see you're back at work ? 16:48.630 --> 16:51.210 Big winner . See it turned out he 16:51.210 --> 16:53.321 didn't have the winning numbers after 16:53.321 --> 16:55.266 all . That's why I think he'd been 16:55.266 --> 16:57.321 celebrating a while before he bought 16:57.321 --> 16:59.450 the ticket . But I guess even heroes 16:59.450 --> 17:01.672 can be wrong on occasion . But you know 17:01.672 --> 17:03.783 what ? He was a big winner that night 17:03.783 --> 17:05.894 because he won an even more important 17:05.894 --> 17:09.640 prize over time . He won Ashley . 17:09.670 --> 17:12.150 And uh I want to say congratulations 17:12.150 --> 17:14.660 Leroy . You did win a lottery but more 17:14.660 --> 17:16.438 importantly to Ashley , to your 17:16.438 --> 17:18.660 Children , to your family , you to have 17:18.660 --> 17:21.600 sacrificed you to serve and we're 17:21.600 --> 17:24.450 deeply in your debt for all that you do 17:24.460 --> 17:27.040 in support of this hero and all that 17:27.040 --> 17:29.560 you continue to do to make him the 17:29.560 --> 17:31.940 great person that he is . God bless you 17:31.940 --> 17:34.950 for that . Mhm . 17:36.240 --> 17:36.650 Yeah . 17:42.140 --> 17:46.130 Mhm . Mhm . Now this is part of 17:46.130 --> 17:48.352 my speech where I was going to tell the 17:48.352 --> 17:50.574 story about what he said is to throw it 17:50.574 --> 17:52.741 with the other hand , but I've learned 17:52.741 --> 17:54.908 a lesson . Don't not let a navy guy in 17:54.908 --> 17:57.241 an army celebration he took Yeah , yeah . 17:57.241 --> 17:59.410 The Admiral took my line but that's 17:59.410 --> 18:02.530 okay . Admiral . Uh huh because I can 18:02.530 --> 18:04.586 say something that that you didn't . 18:04.590 --> 18:07.500 There's a bright side to this . And I 18:07.500 --> 18:09.667 can say that because I'm left handed . 18:09.840 --> 18:11.896 The gentleman who presented you with 18:11.896 --> 18:13.673 that medal of honor yesterday , 18:13.673 --> 18:15.896 President Barack Obama is left handed . 18:15.940 --> 18:18.840 So there is a silver lining and I would 18:18.840 --> 18:21.007 tell you according to the left Handers 18:21.007 --> 18:23.173 Club and that's a real thing . You can 18:23.173 --> 18:25.284 look it up on the internet so it must 18:25.284 --> 18:29.030 exist . And 18:29.030 --> 18:31.197 according to left handers club and I'm 18:31.197 --> 18:33.363 going to quote here , left handers are 18:33.363 --> 18:35.363 generally more intelligent , better 18:35.363 --> 18:37.586 looking , imaginative and multitalented 18:37.586 --> 18:40.560 than right handers . Well , 18:48.240 --> 18:50.296 every left hander in the audience go 18:50.296 --> 18:54.050 and see . I told you , um No , I'm I'm 18:54.050 --> 18:56.161 obviously an anomaly . But in you , I 18:56.161 --> 18:58.217 can see where most of that is true . 18:58.217 --> 19:00.217 But on a on a serious note , let me 19:00.217 --> 19:03.040 just wrap up all of us . I'll speak for 19:03.040 --> 19:05.430 myself . We are deeply honored and 19:05.430 --> 19:08.630 proud to be here today . To salute your 19:08.630 --> 19:11.100 service . To salute your valor . Your 19:11.100 --> 19:13.900 courage equally important to thank you 19:13.900 --> 19:16.067 for the lives you saved because at the 19:16.067 --> 19:18.178 end of the day , that's what you were 19:18.178 --> 19:20.400 attempting to do . And you did it . And 19:20.400 --> 19:23.060 to thank you as well for an incredibly 19:23.540 --> 19:26.690 Uh continued commitment to our nation , 19:26.700 --> 19:30.420 our army , the 75th ranger regiment and 19:30.420 --> 19:32.531 part of that ranger creed says I will 19:32.531 --> 19:34.753 always endeavour to uphold the prestige 19:34.753 --> 19:36.809 honor and high esprit de Corps of my 19:36.809 --> 19:38.976 ranger Regiment Sergeant . You've done 19:38.976 --> 19:41.640 that , You've done that and more and 19:41.640 --> 19:45.050 you and your wife have set a standard . 19:45.060 --> 19:47.171 You know Ashley , you once noted that 19:47.171 --> 19:49.910 we have a lot in common , a lot to 19:49.910 --> 19:52.010 share . We're there for each other , 19:52.010 --> 19:54.490 for comfort , for strength . And I 19:54.490 --> 19:56.900 would say Leroy , Ashley , Brittany 19:56.910 --> 20:00.300 Austin , Reagan , Landon , Mom and dad , 20:00.310 --> 20:02.930 all the Petri family and the 75th 20:02.930 --> 20:05.300 ranger regiment today . It's your 20:05.300 --> 20:07.730 family that gives us strength . That 20:07.730 --> 20:10.570 gives us courage . Congratulations And 20:10.570 --> 20:12.626 thank you for letting us bestow this 20:12.626 --> 20:15.460 great honor upon you . Thank you . Mhm . 20:16.040 --> 20:19.420 Yeah . Thank you . 20:21.540 --> 20:25.040 Yeah , mm hmm . Yeah , 20:26.940 --> 20:29.162 ladies and gentlemen , the Secretary of 20:29.162 --> 20:30.162 Defense . 20:38.040 --> 20:40.950 Ladies and gentlemen , Secretary Mchugh , 20:41.440 --> 20:45.270 Okay , General Dempsey , Admiral Olson 20:46.240 --> 20:49.810 and distinguished guests . I'd like to 20:49.810 --> 20:53.160 join all of the other speakers in 20:53.160 --> 20:56.620 thanking the friends and family of 20:56.620 --> 20:59.350 Sergeant , first class Leroy Petry 21:01.340 --> 21:04.470 who have joined us today And especially 21:04.470 --> 21:06.303 his wife , Ashley and their four 21:06.303 --> 21:09.560 Children . The reason 21:10.390 --> 21:12.910 that we thank them as And Secretary 21:12.910 --> 21:16.170 pointed this out , that brave men and 21:16.170 --> 21:19.780 women who protect our 21:19.780 --> 21:22.960 nation depends so much 21:23.540 --> 21:26.260 on the families who share the heavy 21:26.260 --> 21:29.390 burdens and the sacrifices of military 21:29.390 --> 21:32.660 service . And we are all gratified 21:33.240 --> 21:35.670 for the love and support you provide . 21:36.940 --> 21:39.850 Right , having just returned from a 21:39.850 --> 21:43.100 trip abroad . All right , looking 21:43.100 --> 21:45.950 into the eyes of all those men and 21:45.950 --> 21:48.500 women who serve our country and 21:48.500 --> 21:50.490 recognizing the sacrifice that's 21:50.490 --> 21:52.680 involved being away from their loved 21:52.680 --> 21:55.800 ones . The reality is we couldn't do 21:55.800 --> 21:58.810 this job of defending America without 21:58.810 --> 22:00.990 the love and support of those that are 22:00.990 --> 22:03.600 in our families . And I know it's a 22:03.600 --> 22:05.990 sacrifice on their part as well . And 22:05.990 --> 22:08.046 for that reason we thank your entire 22:08.046 --> 22:10.157 family for the support that they gave 22:10.157 --> 22:14.060 you as you serve this country . Yeah . 22:14.440 --> 22:15.440 Mhm . 22:20.640 --> 22:24.420 Yeah . This is really a great privilege 22:24.420 --> 22:27.430 for me . It's one of my first acts as 22:27.440 --> 22:31.350 secretary of defense to be able to 22:31.360 --> 22:34.260 honor a great american hero . 22:35.440 --> 22:38.600 I've had a long career in this town and 22:38.600 --> 22:41.010 worked in a number of capacities but I 22:41.010 --> 22:43.232 can't tell you what a great honor it is 22:43.232 --> 22:46.270 for me personally to be able to honor 22:46.940 --> 22:50.020 someone like Sergeant Petry , an army 22:50.020 --> 22:53.360 ranger whose historic actions 22:53.940 --> 22:57.350 save the lives of other soldiers . 22:58.640 --> 23:02.010 Uh huh . There is probably in life . I 23:02.010 --> 23:05.560 often say that the great test 23:06.540 --> 23:08.207 of life is whether you make a 23:08.207 --> 23:11.460 difference and someone who saves the 23:11.460 --> 23:14.670 lives of others makes a difference 23:15.740 --> 23:18.700 and that's what you did most americans 23:18.700 --> 23:22.170 cannot imagine can't imagine 23:22.740 --> 23:24.800 the kind of life and death decisions 23:25.310 --> 23:28.040 that Sergeant Petry had to face that 23:28.040 --> 23:29.960 day and paktika . 23:31.940 --> 23:35.700 These are the burdens that confront the 23:35.700 --> 23:38.410 men and women in uniform serving in 23:38.410 --> 23:39.860 harm's way every day . 23:42.040 --> 23:45.460 Today , Leroy Petrie's name 23:46.640 --> 23:50.530 joins the hollowed ranks of other Medal 23:50.530 --> 23:53.560 of honor recipients listed in this wall 23:56.040 --> 23:58.570 as a representative . He is truly a 23:58.580 --> 24:01.750 representative of a new generation of 24:01.750 --> 24:05.130 americans who have answered the call 24:05.940 --> 24:07.950 during almost a decade of war 24:10.340 --> 24:14.170 in paying tribute to him . We also 24:14.170 --> 24:17.970 celebrate a generation that is fighting 24:17.970 --> 24:21.560 for a better life , a better America 24:22.140 --> 24:25.980 and a better world . A member of the 24:25.980 --> 24:29.560 US Army's storied 75th Ranger Regiment . 24:30.440 --> 24:34.060 Sergeant Petrie's actions speak to the 24:34.060 --> 24:37.500 extraordinary accomplishments of the 24:37.500 --> 24:41.310 special operations forces that have 24:41.310 --> 24:44.460 been at the center of the fight this 24:44.460 --> 24:48.360 past decade . Admiral Wilson , 24:48.740 --> 24:50.907 your special forces . I can't tell you 24:50.907 --> 24:53.170 how important they've been to our 24:53.170 --> 24:55.410 ability to take on the mission that 24:55.410 --> 24:57.700 we've been assigned , particularly to 24:57.700 --> 25:00.310 dismantle and disrupt and ultimately 25:00.310 --> 25:03.870 defeat al Qaeda . Uh , it was the 25:03.870 --> 25:07.270 special forces team that we employed 25:07.940 --> 25:11.550 in the attack on the compound that hill 25:11.550 --> 25:14.050 bin laden and I had a chance to show 25:14.050 --> 25:18.020 the family . I was given one of my last 25:18.020 --> 25:20.950 trips to the war zone was given a 25:22.140 --> 25:24.280 a little trophy , a brick from that 25:24.280 --> 25:27.560 compound as a memory 25:28.140 --> 25:30.450 of the actions that took place there 25:31.440 --> 25:34.110 and what it symbolized was a tremendous 25:34.110 --> 25:37.630 work of special forces in the end . As 25:37.630 --> 25:39.797 many of you know , there were a lot of 25:39.797 --> 25:41.741 questions about the risk that were 25:41.741 --> 25:44.520 involved in that operation . But when I 25:44.520 --> 25:46.687 was asked for my opinion as to whether 25:46.687 --> 25:49.930 or not we ought to do it , I said , you 25:49.930 --> 25:52.600 know , I have tremendous confidence , 25:53.140 --> 25:55.830 tremendous confidence in the ability of 25:55.830 --> 25:58.108 special forces to conduct this mission . 25:58.440 --> 26:00.607 They do this all the time . They do it 26:00.607 --> 26:03.260 well and I'm convinced that they can 26:03.260 --> 26:05.660 carry out this mission and they did 26:06.740 --> 26:10.380 thankfully for this country . Special 26:10.380 --> 26:13.360 forces like 26:14.640 --> 26:17.380 like many of the of his brethren and 26:17.380 --> 26:20.360 special forces , Sergeant Petry has 26:20.360 --> 26:24.150 been deployed Multiple Times since 26:24.150 --> 26:28.050 9 11 . He said eight combat deployments , 26:28.640 --> 26:31.350 six in Afghanistan to in Iraq 26:32.440 --> 26:35.360 and today as we honour him , 26:36.940 --> 26:39.060 we are mindful of the great burden 26:41.040 --> 26:44.690 and the heavy costs that fall on this 26:44.690 --> 26:48.450 community of warriors every day 26:49.540 --> 26:52.530 and more often every night as they 26:52.540 --> 26:56.070 relentlessly pursue the country's most 26:56.080 --> 27:00.050 dangerous enemies . As 27:00.050 --> 27:02.340 I said , they have made a real 27:02.340 --> 27:04.940 difference in the fight against 27:04.940 --> 27:08.830 terrorism . Every time they go 27:08.830 --> 27:12.260 out on an operation , they face 27:12.260 --> 27:16.210 huge risk . The risk of being caught 27:16.220 --> 27:19.290 in a firefight . The risk of suddenly 27:19.410 --> 27:22.690 being attacked . The risk of facing 27:22.700 --> 27:26.170 uncertain consequences in entering a 27:26.170 --> 27:29.550 compound that they have no idea who's 27:29.550 --> 27:33.500 there or what they might do . And yet 27:33.500 --> 27:36.070 they respond , they respond with 27:36.080 --> 27:39.360 bravery , they respond with discipline 27:40.640 --> 27:42.529 and they respond with the kind of 27:42.529 --> 27:46.010 heroism that Sergeant Petry she was was 27:46.010 --> 27:49.890 able to reflect on that operation . It 27:49.890 --> 27:52.360 cost him a hand , but it saved the 27:52.360 --> 27:55.950 lives of others . And like so many 27:56.610 --> 27:59.310 of our wounded warriors , Sergeant 27:59.310 --> 28:02.060 Petry responded to his injuries with 28:02.070 --> 28:05.830 grit and with resolve after 28:05.830 --> 28:09.830 losing his hand , he obviously 28:09.830 --> 28:12.550 had to learn to write and work that 28:12.550 --> 28:15.830 left hand . He then started a 28:15.830 --> 28:19.670 competition with his son Landon who was 28:19.670 --> 28:22.880 going into kindergarten and learning 28:22.880 --> 28:26.760 how to write to see who could turn out 28:26.760 --> 28:30.740 the best abc s . I don't know who 28:30.740 --> 28:34.610 the hell one but it must have 28:34.610 --> 28:37.740 been a great competition . Sergeant 28:37.740 --> 28:41.240 Petry has to and since that time 28:41.240 --> 28:43.970 devoted himself to caring for his 28:43.970 --> 28:47.350 wounded warriors and helping injured 28:47.350 --> 28:50.270 rangers return to their posts , 28:51.140 --> 28:53.300 drawing inspiration from the ranger 28:53.300 --> 28:56.270 creed . Never 28:56.840 --> 28:59.190 shall I fail my comrades , 29:00.840 --> 29:04.160 Sergeant Petrie's actions recall 29:04.170 --> 29:06.670 General Douglas Macarthur's description 29:07.840 --> 29:09.680 of the american man at arms , 29:11.340 --> 29:15.310 Macarthur said , and I quote , he 29:15.310 --> 29:18.910 belongs to history as 29:18.910 --> 29:22.300 furnishing one of the great examples of 29:22.300 --> 29:26.230 successful patriotism . He 29:26.230 --> 29:29.920 belongs to posterity as the 29:29.920 --> 29:33.500 instructor of future generations in the 29:33.500 --> 29:36.260 principles of liberty and freedom 29:38.340 --> 29:42.150 and he belongs to the present to 29:42.150 --> 29:46.130 us by his virtues and by his 29:46.130 --> 29:47.960 achievements . Unquote . 29:50.240 --> 29:52.780 As I said , I've just returned from the 29:52.780 --> 29:56.670 war zones . I had the great opportunity 29:57.840 --> 30:00.007 to meet with many of our young men and 30:00.007 --> 30:03.780 women who are putting their lives at 30:03.780 --> 30:05.960 risk to protect this nation . 30:08.640 --> 30:12.190 To look into their eyes is to look into 30:12.190 --> 30:14.360 the heart and soul of America 30:16.240 --> 30:20.060 soldiers , sailors , airman 30:20.640 --> 30:24.060 and marines willing to make 30:24.640 --> 30:28.100 the ultimate sacrifice . The ultimate 30:28.100 --> 30:32.060 sacrifice for their fellow americans . 30:35.640 --> 30:39.640 The torch of freedom has been lit by 30:39.640 --> 30:43.120 their sacrifice . Leroy 30:43.120 --> 30:46.170 Petry on behalf of a grateful nation . 30:47.740 --> 30:50.170 I want to express how thankful we are 30:51.240 --> 30:54.170 that you belong to us here in the 30:54.170 --> 30:57.850 present . Your skill is a soldier , 30:58.640 --> 31:01.990 your courage and your sense of purpose , 31:02.640 --> 31:06.610 fill our hearts with pride . The future 31:06.610 --> 31:09.060 of our democracy . Ladies and gentlemen 31:09.940 --> 31:12.270 depends on the willingness of every 31:12.280 --> 31:15.160 generation to fight 31:16.640 --> 31:20.550 for what's right and what's best 31:22.240 --> 31:26.170 for this country . Your story . 31:26.540 --> 31:29.900 Sergeant Petry will forever 31:29.900 --> 31:33.740 inspire future generations to fulfill 31:33.750 --> 31:37.400 that fundamental duty that we all have 31:37.940 --> 31:41.070 as citizens of this great land . May 31:41.070 --> 31:44.890 God bless you and may . God bless all 31:44.900 --> 31:47.460 men and women in uniform . Thank you . 31:49.340 --> 31:51.360 Yeah , yeah , 31:54.640 --> 31:57.570 yeah . Ladies and gentlemen , Secretary 31:57.570 --> 31:59.570 Mchugh , General Dempsey , Sergeant 31:59.570 --> 32:01.403 Major of the Army , Chandler and 32:01.403 --> 32:03.403 Sergeant first class and mrs Petrie 32:03.403 --> 32:05.348 will now join Secretary Panetta on 32:05.348 --> 32:07.292 stage for the induction ceremony . 32:17.440 --> 32:19.551 The president of the United States of 32:19.551 --> 32:21.884 America , authorized by Act of Congress , 32:21.884 --> 32:24.107 has awarded in the name of Congress the 32:24.107 --> 32:26.218 Medal of Honor to then Staff Sergeant 32:26.218 --> 32:29.170 Leroy A Petry , United States Army 32:29.840 --> 32:31.690 Staff Sergeant Leroy Petry 32:31.690 --> 32:33.523 distinguished himself by acts of 32:33.523 --> 32:35.634 gallantry and intrepidity at the risk 32:35.634 --> 32:37.746 of his life above and beyond the call 32:37.746 --> 32:39.857 of duty in action with an armed enemy 32:39.857 --> 32:41.968 in the vicinity of Paktika Province , 32:41.968 --> 32:44.360 Afghanistan on May 26th 2000 and eight 32:44.840 --> 32:46.840 as a weapon squad leader with Delta 32:46.840 --> 32:48.729 Company , second Battalion , 75th 32:48.729 --> 32:50.784 ranger Regiment Staff Sergeant Petry 32:50.784 --> 32:53.007 moved to clear the courtyard of a house 32:53.007 --> 32:55.118 that potentially contained high value 32:55.118 --> 32:57.451 combatants while crossing the courtyard . 32:57.451 --> 32:59.673 Staff Sergeant Petry and another ranger 32:59.673 --> 33:01.618 were engaged and wounded by Ottawa 33:01.618 --> 33:03.507 automatic weapons fire from enemy 33:03.507 --> 33:05.507 fighters still under enemy fire and 33:05.507 --> 33:07.618 wounded in both legs . Staff Sergeant 33:07.618 --> 33:09.729 Petry led the other ranger to cover . 33:09.729 --> 33:11.673 He then reported the situation and 33:11.673 --> 33:13.729 engage the enemy with a hand grenade 33:13.729 --> 33:15.951 providing suppression as another ranger 33:15.951 --> 33:17.951 moved into his position . The enemy 33:17.951 --> 33:20.173 quickly responded by maneuvering closer 33:20.173 --> 33:22.062 and throwing grenades . The first 33:22.062 --> 33:23.951 grenade explosion knocked his two 33:23.951 --> 33:25.784 fellow rangers to the ground and 33:25.784 --> 33:27.896 wounded both with shrapnel . A second 33:27.896 --> 33:29.896 grenade then landed only a few feet 33:29.896 --> 33:31.951 away from them , instantly realizing 33:31.951 --> 33:33.840 the danger . Staff Sergeant Petry 33:33.840 --> 33:35.673 unhesitatingly and with complete 33:35.673 --> 33:37.784 disregard for his safety deliberately 33:37.784 --> 33:39.896 and selflessly moved forward , picked 33:39.896 --> 33:41.951 up the grenade in an effort to clear 33:41.951 --> 33:43.784 the immediate threat , threw the 33:43.784 --> 33:46.007 grenade away from his fellow rangers as 33:46.007 --> 33:47.896 he was releasing the grenade , it 33:47.896 --> 33:50.007 detonated , amputating his right hand 33:50.007 --> 33:49.760 at the wrist and further injuring him 33:49.760 --> 33:51.538 with multiple shrapnel wounds . 33:51.740 --> 33:53.796 Although picking up and throwing the 33:53.796 --> 33:55.907 live grenade grievously wounded Staff 33:55.907 --> 33:57.740 Sergeant Petry , his gallant act 33:57.740 --> 33:59.740 undeniably saved his fellow rangers 33:59.740 --> 34:01.851 from being severely wounded or killed 34:01.851 --> 34:03.907 despite the severity of his wounds . 34:03.907 --> 34:03.830 Staff Sergeant Petry continued to 34:03.830 --> 34:05.997 maintain the presence of mind to place 34:05.997 --> 34:08.163 a tourniquet on his right wrist before 34:08.163 --> 34:10.386 communicating the situation by radio in 34:10.386 --> 34:12.608 order to coordinate support for himself 34:12.608 --> 34:14.774 and his fellow wounded rangers . Staff 34:14.774 --> 34:16.997 Sergeant Petry is extraordinary heroism 34:16.997 --> 34:18.997 and devotion to duty are in keeping 34:18.997 --> 34:21.219 with the highest traditions of military 34:21.219 --> 34:23.330 service and reflect great credit upon 34:23.330 --> 34:25.497 himself . The 75th ranger regiment and 34:25.497 --> 34:25.160 the United States Army . 34:31.440 --> 34:33.490 Yeah , you are active 34:37.440 --> 34:38.440 right . 34:45.840 --> 34:48.062 The war on terrorism plaque will now be 34:48.062 --> 34:50.062 unveiled , inducting sergeant first 34:50.062 --> 34:52.173 class Petri into the Hall of Heroes . 35:03.740 --> 35:06.670 Yeah . Mhm . Mhm . 35:08.270 --> 35:09.270 All right , 35:12.940 --> 35:13.840 two Yeah . 35:28.140 --> 35:30.400 Mhm . Yeah . 35:32.940 --> 35:33.940 Mhm . 35:37.140 --> 35:38.140 Yeah . 35:40.940 --> 35:41.360 Mhm . 35:45.340 --> 35:48.800 Yeah . At this time the Secretary of 35:48.800 --> 35:51.022 Defense will present the Medal of Honor 35:51.022 --> 35:54.120 flag on 23 october 2002 . Public law 35:54.120 --> 35:57.770 one oh 7-2 48 . Section 81 43 35:57.770 --> 35:59.937 Established the Medal of Honor flag to 35:59.937 --> 36:01.881 recognize service members who have 36:01.881 --> 36:03.992 distinguished themselves by gallantry 36:03.992 --> 36:06.214 and action above and beyond the call of 36:06.214 --> 36:07.937 duty . The Medal of Honor flag 36:07.937 --> 36:09.659 commemorates the sacrifice and 36:09.659 --> 36:11.714 bloodshed for our freedoms and gives 36:11.714 --> 36:13.881 emphasis to the Medal of Honor , being 36:13.881 --> 36:13.530 the highest award for valor by an 36:13.530 --> 36:15.697 individual serving in the armed forces 36:15.697 --> 36:17.808 of the United States . The light blue 36:17.808 --> 36:20.030 color with gold fringe bearing 13 white 36:20.030 --> 36:22.030 stars are adapted from the Medal of 36:22.030 --> 36:23.030 Honor . Ribbon . 36:31.630 --> 36:32.460 Yeah . Mhm . 36:35.730 --> 36:36.960 Yeah . Yeah . 36:42.830 --> 36:45.052 Ladies and gentlemen , Sergeant , first 36:45.052 --> 36:46.274 class Leroy a Petry . 36:52.330 --> 36:53.330 Mhm . 37:02.230 --> 37:04.550 Mr . Secretary of Defense Mr Secretary 37:04.550 --> 37:07.170 of the Army , General Dempsey , Admiral 37:07.170 --> 37:10.600 nelson , distinguished guests , fellow 37:10.600 --> 37:14.310 recipients . I'm truly 37:14.310 --> 37:16.421 honored and thank you for coming here 37:16.421 --> 37:19.050 today . I'm humbled by this ceremony , 37:19.630 --> 37:22.750 your words and your presence . I 37:22.750 --> 37:24.694 particularly want to thank my wife 37:24.694 --> 37:27.930 Ashley . My Children Brittany Austin 37:28.060 --> 37:32.030 Reagan and Landon is their love 37:32.250 --> 37:34.417 and support that have kept me going on 37:34.417 --> 37:36.980 this journey and will keep me going in 37:36.980 --> 37:39.400 the future . And I would like to thank 37:39.400 --> 37:42.110 my fellow rangers . Not just here but 37:42.110 --> 37:44.380 also those who are deployed and not 37:44.380 --> 37:47.260 just current rangers , but all those 37:47.270 --> 37:51.260 who have served before me . 75th 37:51.270 --> 37:55.110 Ranger Regiment has been continuously 37:55.110 --> 37:59.010 deployed over 3500 hours or 37:59.010 --> 38:02.950 desk . Go back on that 3500 days , 38:03.320 --> 38:05.930 sorry . Since the start of the war on 38:05.930 --> 38:09.150 terror . During that time , 55 , 38:09.820 --> 38:11.740 my fellow ranger brothers 38:13.520 --> 38:16.230 have been killed in both Afghanistan 38:16.230 --> 38:18.960 and Iraq . Did you have recognized me 38:18.960 --> 38:21.240 today ? I say you continue to pay 38:21.240 --> 38:23.840 tribute . I never forget those rangers 38:25.310 --> 38:27.780 and all other men and women of the 38:27.780 --> 38:29.730 armed services who have made the 38:29.730 --> 38:33.490 ultimate sacrifice . Please keep their 38:33.490 --> 38:35.601 families in your thoughts and prayers 38:36.820 --> 38:38.931 has been my honor to serve shoulder , 38:38.931 --> 38:41.042 shoulder with all the service members 38:41.042 --> 38:43.650 defending our nation For almost 12 38:43.650 --> 38:46.120 years . And I look forward to my 38:46.120 --> 38:49.000 continued service with you all . Thank 38:49.000 --> 38:51.450 you and rangers . Lead the way . Yeah , 38:51.920 --> 38:52.190 yeah .