WEBVTT

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This year, we're celebrating the 75th

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anniversary of the desegregation of the

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US Armed Forces. Americans of

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all backgrounds have bravely served in

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the US military throughout our

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country's history. But for far too

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long, white troops and other service

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members of color were forced to serve

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in segregated units. They fought in

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combat even as they battled

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discrimination at home. And

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finally, on July 26th, 1948

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President Truman ordered equality of

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treatment and opportunity for all

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persons in the armed forces without

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regard to race, color, religion

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or national origin. You know, our

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military has made tremendous progress

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since then. Today some 44% of our

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active duty force are people of color

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and Americans from all walks of life

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serve alongside one another and they

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grow as leaders and they contribute to

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our military at the highest levels.

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You know, one of my mentors was the

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late General Colin Powell. He served

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as the first black chairman of the

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Joint Chiefs of Staff and he once said

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that no matter the color of your skin,

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the color of our guts and the color of

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our courage and the color of our blood

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is the same as everyone else's. Our

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outstanding military is the strongest

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fighting force on earth because it

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draws on the full talents of all of our

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citizens. That's the American way,

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one nation indivisible. So

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on this important anniversary let's

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continue the noble work of those who

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ended segregation. Let's hold true to

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the values that make America a beacon.

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And let's keep working together to make

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America stronger and safer and our

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world more secure.