Obama: "This is a good day for America"
President Obama on Monday celebrated the death of Osama bin Laden, lauding the American military and proclaiming that "This is a good day for America."
The Killing of Osama bin LadenIn remarks before a Medal of Honor ceremony for Private First Class Anthony Kahoohanohano and Private First Class Henry Svehla, both of whom were killed while serving in the Korean War more than 50 years ago, Mr. Obama said America had "kept its commitment to see that justice is done."
"The world is safer," he said. "It is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden."
"Today we are reminded that as a nation, there is nothing we can't do when we put our shoulders to the wheel, when we work together, when we remember the sense of unity that defines us as Americans," he continued. "And we have seen that spirit, that patriotism and the crowds that have gathered here outside the White House, at Ground Zero in New York and across the country, people holding candles, waving the flag, singing the national anthem, people proud to live in the United States of America."
The president lauded the troops for their patriotism and service: "We're reminded that we are fortunate to have Americans who dedicate their lives to protecting ours," he said.
"They volunteer. They train. They endure separation from their families. They take extraordinary risks so that we can be safe. They get the job done. We may not always know their names. We may not always know their stories. But they are there, every day, on the front lines of freedom and we are truly blessed."
Mr. Obama also praised the efforts of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, whom he said would "go down as one of the finest Secretaries of Defense in history," and Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veteran Affairs.
The president went on to celebrate the lives and sacrifices of Kahoohanohano and Svehla before presenting their families with the esteemed Medal of Honor.
