Obama celebrates enactment of GI Bill

[1:25] ..." dangerous and distant place. They've experienced grueling combat. On the streets of Fallujah. To the harsh terrain of Helmand Province. They've adapted. To the complex insurgencies. Protected local populations and trained foreign security forces. So by any measure. They're the authors of one of the most extraordinary chapters of military service. In the history of our"...

[4:23] ..." of scientists and engineers. Doctors and nurses. The backbone of the largest middle class. In history. All told nearly eight million Americans were educated. Under the original -- Including migrant. -- number can sum up this"...

[6:40] ..." carried out unprecedented deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are including the military families with sacrificed so much by allowing the transfer of unused benefits to family. And we are including. Those who pay the ultimate"...

[7:35] ..." to -- They too can become the backbone. Of a growing American middle class. And even as we help our veterans learned the skills they need to succeed. I know that all of us can learn"...

[0:00]" All I wanna join all of today's speakers. And thanking those view worked so hard to make this occasion possible. But above all I -- pay tribute to the veterans. Were now advancing their dreams by pursuing. An education. Obviously I'm honored to be here and then to renew our commitment. To ensure that the men and women who wear the uniform the United States of America. Get the opportunities. That they ever. I was proud cosponsor. Of the post 9/11 GI bill with senator. I'm committed to working with the secretary should expecting to see that it is successfully implemented as president. We Dervis. Not just to meet our moral obligation to those who sacrifice greatly. On our behalf. And on behalf of the country. We do it because these men and women must now be prepared. To lead our nation. In the peaceful pursuit of economic leadership. In the -- percent. This generation of servicemen and women has already earned a place. Of honor in American history. Each of them signed up to serve. Many after they know that there would be sent in harm's way. Over the last eight years they have endured tour after tour of duty. In dangerous and distant place. They've experienced grueling combat. On the streets of Fallujah. To the harsh terrain of Helmand Province. They've adapted. To the complex insurgencies. Protected local populations and trained foreign security forces. So by any measure. They're the authors of one of the most extraordinary chapters of military service. In the history of our nation. I don't make that statement white. We know that anyone who puts on. The uniform. Joins an unbroken line of selfless patriots that stretches back to Lexington and got. The freedom and prosperity that we enjoy it would not exist. Without the service of generations of Americans were willing to bear the heaviest and most dangerous -- We also notice. The contributions that our servicemen and women can make to this nation do not end when they take off -- We owe a debt to all who serve and when we repay that debt to those bravest Americans among -- That we are investing in our future. I just their future but also the future of our own cup. This was the lesson that America was sometimes too slow to learn. After the civil war World War I we saw part too many veterans who were denied the chance to live their dreams. Men who were unable to find and peace the hope that they had fought for and war. And FDR knew this. In 1940 -- before the beaches of Normandy were stormed in the treacherous terrain of Iwo jima was taken. He told the nation that the veterans of World War II would be treated different. He said that they must not be demobilize. And I quote. To take place on a broad line. Demobilize took place on a -- line or on a corner selling apples. Instead Roosevelt said the American people will insist on fulfilling. This American obligation to the men and women. In the armed forces were winning this war for us. That is precisely what the American people -- it. The GI bill was approved just weeks after the day. And carried whether a simple promise to all who had served you pick the school. Will help pick up about. And what followed was not simply an opportunity for our veterans it was a transformation. For our country. By 1947. Happened all Americans enrolled in college were veterans. Ultimately this would lead to three presidents three Supreme Court justices fourteen noble prize winners. And two dozen Pulitzer prize -- But more importantly it produced hundreds of thousands of scientists and engineers. Doctors and nurses. The backbone of the largest middle class. In history. All told nearly eight million Americans were educated. Under the original -- Including migrant. -- number can sum up this seat change in our sign. Reginald Wilson a fighter pilot pilot from Detroit that. I didn't know anyone who went well. I never would have gone to college and it not been for the GI bill. AG Jones a navy man from. North Carolina. Said what happened in my rural -- county community happened all over the country going to college was no longer a novelty. Indeed one of the man who went to college on the GI bills I mentioned was my grandfather and I would not be standing here today. If that opportunity and not let him. West in search of opportune. So we -- the same obligations to this generation of servicemen and women. As was reported that previous generation that is the promise of post 1911. GI bill. It's driven by the same simple logic that broke the first GI bill you picked -- school will help pick up the bill. And looking out of the audience today I'm proud to see so many. Veterans will be able to pursue their education witness -- support from the American. And this is even more important than it was in 1944. The first GI bill helped build a post war economy that has been transformed by revolutions in communication. And technology. That's why the post 1911. -- 9/11 GI bill must give today's veterans. The skills and training. They need to fill the jobs of tomorrow. Education is the currency that can purchase success in the 20% to. And this is the opportunity that our troops have or. I'm also proud that all web borne the burden of service these last several years will have access to this opportune. We are including. Reservists and National Guard members because they have carried out unprecedented deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are including the military families with sacrificed so much by allowing the transfer of unused benefits to family. And we are including. Those who pay the ultimate price by making this benefit available to vote children. Of those who. Lost their life in service of their. This is not simply -- bet that we are re paying to the remarkable men and women -- sir. It is an investment in our own country. The first GI bill paper itself many times over through increased revenue that came from a generation of men and women. Who received the skills and education that they needed to create their own -- The veterans were here today. Like the young post 9/11 veterans from the comfort can leave the white to a lasting economic recovery and become the glue that holds our communities to -- They too can become the backbone. Of a growing American middle class. And even as we help our veterans learned the skills they need to succeed. I know that all of us can learn something from the men and women who serve our country. We've lived through an age when many people and institutions acted irresponsibly. When service often took a backseat. Short term problems. When hard choices were put aside for somebody else. For some other time. It's time -- easy distractions became the norm and the trivial. Has been taken to serious. The men and women who have served since 9/11 tells a different story. While so many were reaching for the quick buck. There were heading out on patrol. Or discourse often produce more heat than light especially here in Washington -- put their very lives. On the line for America. They've -- the responsibility of war. Now what this policy we are making it clear that the United States of America must reward responsibility. And not irresponsibility. Now what this policy we are letting those who have borne the heaviest burden lead us in the -- percent. And so today we honor the service of an extraordinary generation. And look to America. That they will help build tomorrow. But post 9/11 GI bill we can give our veterans the chance to live airports. And we can help unleash the talents and tap their creativity. And be guided by their sense of responsibility to their fellow citizens. And to this country that we all love so much. May god bless our troops are veterans may god bless the United States of America thank you very much."