Mullen Accepts Award on Behalf of Armed Forces
(March 29, 2011) |
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Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Deborah, greet retired Sen. John W.
Warner of Virginia at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and
Congress awards dinner in Washington, D.C., March 24, 2011. Mullen
accepted the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for excellence on behalf of
the U.S. Armed Forces at the dinner. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty
Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley |
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WASHINGTON, March 25, 2011 – Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen accepted the Dwight D. Eisenhower
Award from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress
last night on behalf of all members of the U.S. armed forces.
“Tonight, there are thousands upon thousands of young men and
women answering our nation's call in Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan and
around the world,” the chairman said. “Off the shores of Libya,
where they are flying and fighting to protect innocent people from
their own government, they are doing a magnificent job.”
When
the center selected Mullen for the award, the chairman agreed to
accept it -– but only on behalf of the nation's uniformed men and
women. |
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Former Virginia Sen. John Warner, past chairman of the
Senate Armed Services Committee, presented the award.
President Barack Obama extended his congratulations to
Mullen and U.S. service members in a letter.
“Throughout his extraordinary military career, Admiral
Mullen has set an example for men and women across all
branches of government,” the president's letter read. “His
outstanding leadership of our armed forces will be studied
for generations to come, and as he accepts this award on
behalf of our service members, I hope he takes pride in his
enormous contributions to strengthening our nation.”
Mullen is a longstanding advocate of supporting U.S. troops
and families during and after their service for the “needs
they deserve,” ranging from medical care to education and
jobs.
“You, your families, and all of the veterans
you represent have my unyielding support and my deepest
gratitude for all that you have done in service to our
nation,” Mullen told veterans in the audience from the
Disabled American Veterans and the Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America.
Their actions and dedication to
duty, Mullen told the veterans, “stand as stark testament to
President Eisenhower's words that ‘We cannot build peace on
desire alone.' I will take that one step further and say
that while desire alone won't build a better future for our
nation or our world, you have.”
The center chose
Mullen for the Eisenhower Award because “he is a
forward-thinking, servant leader and grand strategist who,
by looking through a long-term lens, has provided
unparalleled leadership in navigating our men and women of
the armed forces successfully during America's longest war,”
said Jonathan P. Murphy, the center's communications
director.
The chairman's vision for the future
includes jobs for veterans. Mullen said veterans are ready
and willing to continue serving their communities, and when
communities help veterans transition to civilian life, he
foresees a “win-win” relationship.
“[That
partnership] makes a positive and lasting impact on our
nation and the young men and women who have served, for
decades to come,” the admiral said.
Mullen challenged
the Eisenhower Center's fellows to find new, creative ways
to “reach out to the great resources resident in our
veterans.” Then, he challenged veterans to grab hold of the
opportunities that are offered, “and bring your shipmates,
battle buddies and wingmen along with you.”
Mullen
also encouraged older veterans to mentor the younger ones.
“Mentorship knows no rank or age limit,” he said.
Quoting Eisenhower, Mullen told the audience, “Our heart
summons our strength, our wisdom must direct it.”
With that thought, the admiral said, he hopes the leaders of
today and the future see the wisdom in keeping faith with
those “who have bravely served the nation, as many more do
so around the world tonight.”
“So when that time
comes,” Mullen added, “our nation will have the heart to
summon the strength needed to serve our nation and world.” | |
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2011
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