Remarks at Meet and Greet with KazBat Returnees

Armitage: As a representative of the Government of the United States, I tell you how grateful my people and my nation are to your servicemen. You’ve chosen by your career, you’ve chosen by your activities in Iraq to take part in one of the major events of our time. You have colleagues now who are still serving in dangerous areas of Iraq. You’ve lived and fought alongside comrades. Now you know something very few people know. For people who have faced death, life has a special flavor that the protected people will never know.

My colleagues and I are honored and delighted to be in the company of heroes. Some of us have served in combat. Now it’s no longer something we can do, it falls to younger and stronger people. We are very, very grateful there are heroes who will stand up in defense against attacks when it’s necessary to be done. Thank you.