GENERAL MARTIN E. DEMPSEY: (Singing.) My kind of town, Chicago – (inaudible). (Laughter, cheers, applause.)

 

(Inaudible.) And Alison, you inspired me with the national anthem. (Laughter.) We – Deanie and I are delighted to be here in Chicago for a long weekend, actually. We don’t – normally our weekends never have the adjective “long” attached to them, but we’re delighted to be here for this event and of course for the NATO summit.

 

I told the governor the city, the state looks great. You’ve been stepping up to the plate, as we say, to answer your nation’s call throughout history. This event today is another – yet another reflection of that. I think it was Captain Bozzay said to me, thanks for being here. And I thought to myself, you know, I’m the one that ought to be thanking you for the – for the privilege of being part of this ceremony.

 

I travel around a lot, and almost always – (inaudible) – informal settings and speaking engagements. I’ll get a question out of the audience, you know, why are you so darn confident that the nation is going to, you know, stay on the right path and that the United States military will remain a pre-eminent power on the face of the earth? Well, the answer at some level is sitting right here in front of me. And that is to say that we continue to attract not only the best and the brightest, because it’s not just about being – these guys, by the way, are best and they are bright. I’d be calling Ryan doctor if he weren’t in uniform today, but I’m calling him sergeant instead today.

 

But it’s not just about being the best and the brightest. It’s being the best, the brightest and the most motivated. And that’s what we get; we get young men and women who are the best, the brightest, and they’re motivated to do what’s right for their country and to do everything they possibly can to protect it. So you know, to the two of you, I accept your appreciation for me being here, but I assure you that Deanie and I will leave here taking away far more from this event than we’re giving to you. And if our presence here can in some way add to the importance of this event in your lives, then I’m happy to do it.

 

I also want to make mention of the five ladies who are here in the front row – six; my wife is sitting over on this side – and I’ve got to – I always make sure I mention Deanie’s role in my career; but these five ladies, the two more mature women on the outside, who happen to be the spouses, and the three little girls in the middle – who have, through their support of their dad and spouses, frankly allowed this day to happen – because I know that were it not for your support and your love and your prayers, probably, that these two men couldn’t do what they do. And I’ll let them say more about that. But I just want to make sure that the five of you know that this is your day too.  I hope you give them a round – (applause).

 

So Captain Thomas “Busy” Bozzay – (laughter) – as the – as the card says here – Melissa, Gabby Rose and Clara Beth. Tom’s a physician’s assistant in civilian life. On the 9th – I should say on the 12th of September, 2011 (sic; 2001), he rushed to ground zero as an EMT to try to contribute to that crisis. And then of course he’s been serving his country ever since when called upon to do so.

 

The quote that somebody gave me to speak of his life was, “He lives a purposeful life in fast-forward.” (Laughter.) And I love that, actually. I’m going to steal that shamelessly for speeches and – (laughter). But it’s a – you know, think about those words, “a purposeful life in fast-forward.” I also use the phrase, we develop – the United States military develops – leaders of consequence – it’s not just about effort; we actually deliver; leaders of consequence – and certainly you’re one of those.

 

Sergeant First Class Ryan Ahern, Gina and Rhiann. And as I said earlier, if he wasn’t in uniform today, I’d be calling him doctor, because he’s a doctor of – I think it’s either physics or – what are you a doctor of?

 

SERGEANT RYAN AHERN: Electrical engineering – (inaudible).

 

GEN. DEMPSEY: Yeah, something I can’t pronounce. I’m – by the way – (laughter) – I’ve got a degree in English literature, so. (Laughter.) And he’s worked – you know, he’s worked with lasers. And when his country called, he set down his laser, very carefully I hope, and picked up a rifle. And you’ll hear in a moment – I won’t – the citations will speak for themselves.

 

But the other thing I’ll tell you about these men – everybody who decides – who agrees to serve their country in a time of war to me has heroic qualities. But not everybody’s a hero. These guys are heroes. So with that, let me now pin on a medal that they richly deserve, one of the highest awards for valor in the United States military; one that you know very well – (inaudible) – having won the same award in World War II – and by the way, how about we give him a round of applause? (Applause).

 

So I hope what you feel here is a sense of continuity: your service, their service. And I hope we’re inspiring the next generation to do their part as well. And one last thank-you, and that’s to J.N. Pritzker here – I hope I pronounced that – I’m from Bayonne, New Jersey, so – (inaudible) – sometimes I don’t get the pronunciation. But a Vietnam veteran; also a soldier of his own right; and now the founder of the Pritzker library, which is part of that continuity, part of capturing our history, part of inspiring the next generation. So I’d like to also give you a round –

(applause).

 

(Inaudible) – I think we’re going to present Captain Bozzay first, so if you’d join me up here please.

 

MR.     : Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the award presentation.

 

President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and amended by act of 25 July 1963, has awarded the Silver Star –

 

(END)