What Government Did Today

Andrews Air Force Base 7:28 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  First of all, I want to just say thank you to Colonel Steve Shepro who’s just done such great work for us and for me over the last several months, several years.  I know he’s about to be transferred, and I just to want to say to him and Helen and Jack how much we appreciate everything that they do. To Major General Darrell Jones, our commander as — of Air Force District of Washington, as well as Holly and Stuart, and to all of you, and all the men, women and families of the Joint Base at Andrews, good evening.  It is wonderful to see all of you on this solemn and special day.  In the life of our nation, there are few more sacred places than our national cemeteries — around the world, at Arlington and our national cemeteries across the country.  As some of you know, earlier today, I was honored to join the Memorial Day ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.  Unfortunately, some extraordinary storms moved in, and for the safety of all involved, the ceremony was cancelled.  But while the storm was raging outside, I was fortunate to meet with some of the families, friends and veterans who had come to honor loved ones who had given their lives in service of this nation.  Later, I was privileged to visit with families of our wounded warriors as they battle to recover from the wounds of war.  And I want to stop by here because I fly in all the time but sometimes don’t get a chance to meet so many of you individually, to say thank you for your service, and recognize that long chain of valor and service that you are a part of

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Remarks by the President on Memorial Day at Andrews Air Force Base

Andrews Air Force Base 7:28 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  First of all, I want to just say thank you to Colonel Steve Shepro who’s just done such great work for us and for me over the last several months, several years.  I know he’s about to be transferred, and I just to want to say to him and Helen and Jack how much we appreciate everything that they do.

Originally posted here:
Remarks by the President on Memorial Day at Andrews Air Force Base

This afternoon at about 1:00 PM CDT, President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Harper.  They discussed the current situation in the Middle East and the upcoming G-8 and G-20 Summits to be held in Canada. 

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Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Harper of Canada

“This morning between 10:00 and 10:15 AM CDT, the President spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu.  He said he understood the Prime Minister’s decision to return immediately to Israel to deal with today’s events.  They agreed to reschedule their meeting at the first opportunity.

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Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

Today the President will participate in a wreath laying ceremony and deliver remarks at the 11th Annual Memorial Day Cemetery at Lincoln National Cemetery. Introducing the President: Sergeant First Class Matthew Burleson accompanied by Paul Abeyta Sgt 1st Class Matthew Burleson D co 1-178IN, 33rd BCT SFC Burleson was born in Lake County Illinois.  He is a 1993 graduate of Waukegan High School, where he was enrolled in JROTC.  He entered the Illinois Army National Guard in December 1992 and, graduated from the One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Ft Benning in November of 1993.  His first assignment was in Bravo company 1-178 Infantry Waukegan, IL. He attended Primary Leaders Development Course at Camp Ball Louisiana in January of 1997.  Upon graduation he was promoted to Sergeant in B Company.  SFC Burleson attended the Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course Phase One in Springfield, IL in 1999 and graduated Phase Two at Camp Atterbery, IL in 2000.  He was then assigned at a Squad Leader in C Company 1-178 IN.

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Background on Today’s Memorial Day Service

“Today, the President was briefed by the National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner regarding the ongoing efforts to contain the BP oil spill. He was informed that skimming, dispersing, and burn operations continue with eight controlled burns yesterday. He was also updated on BP’s efforts to begin to put cutting machines into place that will be used to cut the riser pipe for placement of an alternate containment device

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Statement of the Press Secretary on the President’s Briefing Call Today with National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner

Today, I’ve spoken with National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, as well as Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and senior White House advisors John Brennan and Carol Browner regarding the ongoing efforts to stop the BP oil spill.  From the beginning, our concern has been that the surest way to stop the flow of oil – the drilling of relief wells – would take several months to complete.  So engineers and experts have explored a variety of alternatives to stop the leak now.  They had hoped that the top kill approach attempted this week would halt the flow of oil and gas currently escaping from the seafloor.  But while we initially received optimistic reports about the procedure, it is now clear that it has not worked.  Rear Admiral Mary Landry today directed BP to launch a new procedure whereby the riser pipe will be cut and a containment structure fitted over the leak.  This approach is not without risk and has never been attempted before at this depth. That is why it was not activated until other methods had been exhausted.  It will be difficult and will take several days.  It is also important to note that while we were hopeful that the top kill would succeed, we were also mindful that there was a significant chance it would not.  And we will continue to pursue any and all responsible means of stopping this leak until the completion of the two relief wells currently being drilled

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Statement by the President on the Latest Efforts to Contain the BP Oil Spill

The White House is pleased to learn of President Bingu wa Mutharika’s pardon of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on Today’s Pardoning in Malawi

Ahead of Memorial Day, the President asks all Americans to join him in remembering and honoring those who have died in service to the country.

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Weekly Address: Honoring the Fallen

WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama asked all Americans to join him in remembering and honoring our men and women in uniform who have died in service to the country.  The commitment these heroes have demonstrated – the willingness to lay down their lives so the rest of us might inherit the blessings of this nation – has helped make America the most prosperous, most powerful nation on earth and it is what we honor on Memorial Day.  The full audio of the address is HERE . The video can be viewed online at www.whitehouse.gov .

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WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Invites All Americans to Honor America’s Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day