President Barack Obama released a special video today for the Defense Department to thank troops for their dedicated service in Afghanistan, in the fight against ISIL in the Middle East and against Ebola in West Africa, and all the men and women who serve the nation in uniform.
The message will air twice during today's Air Force-Navy football game on American Forces Network, which is broadcast to troops worldwide, and it’s posted on YouTube to be seen by troops and their families everywhere.
“I know a lot of you are focused on the Navy-Air Force game this weekend. As commander in chief I can’t take sides in that. But I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to you and your families,” Obama said.
For more than a decade of war, service members have borne the burden of the nation’s security, told them.
“This week in Afghanistan we marked two important milestones. Afghans swore in a new government, the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in that country’s history,” the president said. “And we signed a bilateral security agreement with Afghanistan to continue our partnership for the future.”
In other words, Obama explained, in two months the transition will be complete, the U.S. combat mission will be over, and the war in Afghanistan will come to a responsible end.
“With this new security agreement,” he said, “we’ll preserve the gains you have won” in Afghanistan.
Obama said such progress was possible because of the courageous service of the men and women in uniform, and the sacrifice of more than 2,200 American patriots who gave their lives in Afghanistan,” the president said, “and who we will honor forever.”
But the nation still faces challenges in the world, he added.
“Today some of you are leading our campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]. Some of you are deploying to Africa as we lead the fight against Ebola,” Obama said.
Once again, he added, U.S. troops are showing the world the best of American leadership.
“To you and your families who sacrifice along with you, thank you,” the commander in chief told his troops.
“On behalf of the American people I want you to know that we are proud of you,” Obama said. “We stand in awe of your service, and we’ll keep working to take care of you and your families just like you’ve always taken care of us.”
(Follow Cheryl Pellerin on Twitter @PellerinDoDNews)