News

Air Force Chaplain Faces Unique Challenges

2012-05-31T14:41:33+00:00

By Chaplain (Capt.) Christian LaPaul Williams Arlington National Cemetery, Va When I first heard of Arlington National Cemetery I immediately thought of honoring veterans and fallen comrades. I didn’t realize the true significance of my role in comforting their families as well. Also, I didn’t comprehend how challenging that would be. Sure, as a chaplain I believed that I was capable of speaking with and providing comfort to the families. I’m certainly able to highlight the sacrifices of the veterans and active duty members for the just cause of freedom. I also know how to comfort the families with the knowledge that the Air Force is their extended family. But one day I performed a service that challenged me in a way that I had never been challenged before. I was assigned to a service that required me to give a committal for a stillborn baby boy, whose father was an active duty member. He and his wife had three other children who were 8 years old, 6 years old, and 18 months old. I contacted the family to extend my condolences and see if there was any information that they might want me to share at the committal. The parents only had one request – to make the committal service kid friendly. I pondered how to fulfill this unique request. I began to conduct research, to no avail. Then it dawned on me that I needed to go back to my foundation, which is my faith. I prayed and asked God to help me to minister to this family, particularly their children. My faith in God, through my answered prayer, gave me what I needed to minister to this family. I kneeled down in front of the children at the service, and asked them to tell me their favorite character. The oldest told me “a princess.” The middle child said “Star Wars.” The youngest pointed to an iPhone with a picture of Elmo on the screen and said “Elmo.” The two oldest children, at my urging, then gave me more specific names of their heroes as it relates to these characters. Afterwards, I pointed to the white marble stones surrounding the gravesite and explained that the stones represented our nation’s heroes. I told them we were there on that day to honor another hero. I asked them if they knew to whom I was referring and the 8 year old, with tears rolling down her red cheeks, said “my brother.” I agreed with her, and told them that heroes always showed up when they were needed, and that their brother was watching over them. With my voice cracking and full of emotion I said that their brother will always remain in their hearts and whenever they needed him – their hero – would always show up. The family and I then grabbed hands and prayed as I gave the final committal of their stillborn child. This ministry opportunity has changed my life forever. Now, I fully understand my mission. I am humbled and proud to serve on the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.

Marine Combat Operations Locked on Target

2012-05-31T15:37:02+00:00

5/31/2012 By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.- For more than 10 years the Marine Corps has been conducting combat operations against enemies who do not rely on aircraft. So why does 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion continue to sustain skill sets that would allow them to defend land elements from air attacks? “There will always be a time and place for this training to pay off,” said Lt. Col. Joel A. Burdette, commanding officer of the air defense battalion. Marines of 2nd LAAD conducted a PL-87 Stinger Missile live fire at Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25. “UAVs could become a possible threat to us at anytime. That is why my Marines continue to train with the Stinger Missile,” said Burdette. 2nd LAAD Marines fired more than 50 Stinger Missiles at targets during their week-long training exercise to better hone their skills. A UAT is a model airplane used for target practice for different weapon systems. The UATs flew in a pacing like pattern more than 2,500 meters off the coast before being shot down by the gunners. The Marines went over several different training scenarios during the day. A few scenarios had the gunners standing at a firing point firing the missile system and another had them hopping out of a Humvee before locking on and firing. During this type of scenario, the air defense Marines have but moments to get out of a vehicle, locate the aircraft, lock-on and fire the weapon system. “If we take too long to shoot down an enemy aircraft it could mean the death of us and possibly hundreds of Marines,” said Sgt. Roberto Cuesdes, a gunner with 2nd LAAD. “You never know when and where we might be called upon to do this job for the Marine Corps. We have to be well prepared.”

Programs Assist Veterans with Jobs, Education, Homes

2012-05-31T15:29:42+00:00

By Terri Moon Cronk American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 30, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs wants veterans to know about their benefits, from job and education opportunities to home loans and programs for those who are disabled. Veterans caught in today’s high rate of unemployment likely can find a job in one of the more than 200 high-demand careers that have been identified by the Department of Labor, said Curtis Coy, VA’s deputy under secretary for economic opportunity. Those occupations are listed on the VA’s website. The U.S. Department of Labor’s most-recent figures from last year show 900,000 veterans out of work, averaging 7.7 percent of Americans, and 12.1 percent for veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. “The high-demand jobs list is not a narrow one; in fact, it is a very broad list,” Coy said, adding that the 2011 legislation, VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 was enacted for veterans looking for “meaningful employment in high-demand jobs.” Overall, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act would lower the rate of unemployment among the nation’s veterans, and combine two Congressional provisions from the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act and the Hiring Heroes Act, VA officials said. The act also would provide veterans tax credits in an all-inclusive jobs package to fight the veteran unemployment rate. The act has more than 20 provisions, including tax credits for businesses that hire veterans, Coy said. It also makes the Transition Assistance Program mandatory as of Nov. 21 for every departing service member. TAP readies departing active-duty personnel to re-enter the civilian world, officials said. “[TAP] is going to have a major impact on VA, DOL and the Defense Department because what used to be a voluntary program is now mandatory,” Coy said. Coy also wants veterans to know they can apply for up to a year of paid training to qualify for high-demand jobs through the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program. The VRAP training is geared toward veterans between the ages of 35 and 60, the hardest-hit unemployed age group, he said, adding that the education benefit must, by law be used toward earning an associate’s degree or job certification. “The marketing tool we use is if you are or know of a veteran between ages 35 and 60 who’s unemployed and [can] use another year of educational benefits to attain a high-demand job, the VRAP program is the exact, wonderful new benefit that will help them get that meaningful employment,” Coy said. Applicants for the education program are taken on a first-come, first-served basis after their eligibility is confirmed, he added. The VA website has details. “I think the VA always has been the institution that takes a look at our veterans, not only today, but veterans of the past, and provides those services and benefits that Congress has so generously provided to [them],” said Coy, a 24-year Navy veteran. “Our job is to ensure veterans know of and get the benefits they so richly deserve.” In addition to benefits for training for jobs, Coy wants veterans and active-duty service members to know about VA’s Home Loan Guaranty program for VA mortgages and Specially Adapted Housing Grants.VA mortgages in the past 15 quarters had the lowest foreclosure rates of any component in the country, Coy said. “That speaks volumes about our veterans, their responsibilities, and how they deal with business,” he said. “The foreclosure rate in this country and the number of homes under water is a problem for many Americans. What we’ve done to help our veterans is keep a very close eye on [their] mortgages.” VA doesn’t lend veterans the money for mortgages. Instead, VA provides a loan guarantee. “We have a vested interest in being good stewards of our taxpayer money,” Coy said. “Last year, we helped over 72,000 vets retain their homes who may not have been able to retain them otherwise. That’s a 10-percent increase over the year before.” He said the VA provides proactive support for veterans who might get into trouble with their mortgage. “We can be good agents for them, and in some cases intercede or help them with their banks and mortgage lenders to perhaps restructure [the loan] or take a look at the nuances of that particular mortgage,” Coy explained. “We want to make sure our veterans stay in their homes, and we do everything to help them do just that,” he added. Eligibility for a VA home loan includes being a veteran or service member, having good credit and the ability to pay the mortgage, Coy said, noting no money down is required, unlike private lenders. “We are very scrupulous to make sure veterans don’t get in over their heads on their mortgages,” he said. The VA also offers Specially Adapted Housing Grants for disabled veterans and wounded warriors, with grants up to $64,000 in homeowner assistance used to configure veterans’ homes for their particular disability, Coy said. Information on the grant is available on the VA website, along with toll-free numbers, a list of 57 regional offices across the country, and some 800 vocation and rehabilitation programs.

VA Partnership Aims to House 10,000 Homeless Veterans

2012-05-31T15:21:28+00:00

My 23, 2012 From a Department of Veterans Affairs News Release WASHINGTON, – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that it will collaborate with the “100,000 Homes” campaign and its 117 participating communities to help find permanent housing for 10,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless veterans this year. “President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness among veterans,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said in a VA news release. “Those who have served this nation as veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope.” According to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, homelessness among veterans has declined 12 percent since January 2010. The new initiative is intended to help accomplish Shinseki’s goal of ending veteran homelessness in 2015. It will also support the ongoing work of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and a host of state and local organizations working to implement “Opening Doors,” the federal plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness. The 100,000 Homes campaign is a national movement of over 100 communities working together to find permanent homes for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families by July 2014. The new partnership will better integrate the efforts of VA case managers and their local partners by leveraging VA resources and those of participants in the “100,000 Homes” campaign. The campaign’s national support staff, provided by New York-based non-profit Community Solutions, will also work with VA to provide technical assistance to help communities reduce the amount of time necessary to house a single homeless veteran. As a result, community organizations will be better able to utilize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. The program is a coordinated effort by HUD, VA, and local housing agencies to provide permanent housing with case management and other support services for homeless veterans. The collaboration will also help VA increase the proportion of HUD-VASH vouchers that help house chronic and vulnerable homeless individuals. Research indicates that this approach can successfully end homelessness for vulnerable and chronically homeless veterans while also achieving significant public cost savings. From fiscal years 2008 to 2012, HUD has allocated funding to local public housing authorities to provide over 47,000 housing choice vouchers to homeless veterans. Volunteers in participating “100,000 Homes” communities will help the VA identify homeless veterans through their registry week process. Registry weeks are community-wide efforts in which volunteers canvass their neighborhoods to survey homeless individuals and gather key information to help VA case managers expedite the housing process. Support staff will also offer quality improvement training designed to help reduce the amount of time necessary to house a homeless veteran to 90 days or less. Pilot training in Los Angeles and New York City has already helped shave an average of 64 days from the veteran housing process in these communities. In 2009, Obama and Shinseki announced the federal government’s goal to end veteran homelessness by 2015. Through the homeless veterans’ initiative, VA committed $800 million in fiscal year 2011 to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among veterans. VA provides a range of services to homeless veterans, including health care, housing, job training, and education.

The AH-1Z Viper Exceeds Expectations on First Deployment

2012-05-30T15:23:27+00:00

5/29/2012 By Sgt. Elyssa Quesada , 11th MEU SOUTH CHINA SEA - Six months into its first operational deployment, the four-blade AH-1Z Viper is performing at levels that show just why the Marine Corps has upgraded its aviation attacking power. Four of the “Zulu” model SuperCobra attack helicopters have done “extremely well and gone beyond the Marines’ expectations,” said maintenance controller Gunnery Sgt. Jerami Withrow, who hails from White Bear Lake, Minn. The skid-landing helicopters are flown and maintained by members of an 84-Marine detachment from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 in Camp Pendleton, Calif. The detachment is one of eight that reinforces Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 to comprise the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat power. The light-attack detachment also flies and maintains three skid-landing UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. This new “Yankee” model Huey also has four blades. In fact, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z share an 85-percent parts commonality, which streamlines training and maintenance. Since deploying the Yankee-Zulu package in November 2011 to the Western Pacific, Horn of Africa and Middle East regions aboard amphibious ships, and six months ahead of deploying, squadron pilots have flown more than 800 hours and completed more than 500 assorted unit missions, all requiring minimal maintenance, according to skid detachment officer in charge Maj. Michael Swift. The Yankee-Zulu package is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W and UH-1N helicopters. The new helicopters can carry an additional 2,000 to 4,000 pounds, travel faster and conduct combat operations from a safer distance, according to Gunnery Sgt. Greg Shaw, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the detachment’s quality assurance. “The aircraft readiness has been far beyond what we expected for shipboard operations,” said Shaw, a 32-year-old Clarksville, Tenn., native. With a fully integrated cockpit and more fuel, blades and overall power, the helicopters can remain airborne longer without having to refuel or deprive ground forces of valuable ordnance, said Shaw. According to Swift, since June 2011, the Zulus have fired more than 9,000 20-mm rounds and more than 365 inert and high-explosive rockets. The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego Nov. 14, beginning a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Horn of Africa and Middle East regions.

Tis the Season: Air Force Issues Letter on Critical Days of Summer

2012-05-30T13:50:28+00:00

5/29/2012 - FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- In a tri-signature memo, the top three Air Force leaders urged Airmen to create a culture of safety and watch out for one another. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the letter May 25 as part of the Critical Days of Summer 2012 kick off. "This year's theme, 'Safety - It's Personal,' reminds us that when it comes to safety, individual decisions can directly impact loved ones, friends, co-workers and the entire Air Force family," the letter read. To see full copy of letter, click here This year's CDS theme is "Safety - It's Personal." "This year's PACAF CDS 2012 theme focuses on the personal aspect of safety," said Lt. Col. Adrienne Williams, 36 WG chief of safety. "Safety truly is each person's individual responsibility. We ask that every Airmen realize that they are the first link in the safety chain and apply common sense as they embark on a fun-filled summer on and off duty." Members of the safety office stress five safety tips this year: · Food safety - Cook all your food to the recommended level before serving, (poultry to 165 degrees, hamburgers to 160 degrees and beef to at least 145 degrees.) and refrigerate all perishable food within one hour of cooking. Keep uncooked meats away from other foods. · Grill safety - Clean grill of any grease or dust, check burner tubes for blockage and ensure connectors are secure. Keep lighted cigarettes, matches or open flames away from the grill. Do not use a grill in a garage, breezeway, carport or porch or near any surface that can catch fire. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. · Water safety - Avoid alcohol when swimming or boating. Wear a lifejacket when on a boat. Make sure young children are supervised at all times. Don't swim alone or in bad weather. · Sun safety - Wear sunscreen and apply throughout the day. Drink plenty of water to avoid heat stress or heat stroke. · Travel safety - Do not drink and drive or travel with someone who had been drinking. Wear your seat belt at all times.

Obamas Host Women Submariners, First Lady Sponsors Sub

2012-05-29T18:24:13+00:00

May 29, 2012 By Lisa Daniel American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama yesterday welcomed the Navy’s first contingent of women submariners to the White House as part of a busy Memorial Day schedule. The 24 young women visited the White House, along with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Navy Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, as part of a “Joining Forces” initiative. The first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, started the Joining Forces campaign last year to rally Americans to honor, recognize and serve military families. As part of the meeting, the first lady accepted Mabus’ invitation to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Illinois (SSN 786), a Virginia-class submarine -- the Navy’s newest class of attack submarine -- being built in Groton, Connecticut and Newport News, Virginia. Illinois is expected to join the fleet in late 2015. In sponsoring USS Illinois, Obama joins a tradition of first lady sponsorships of Navy submarines. First Lady Laura Bush is USS Texas’ (SSN 775) sponsor and christened it in 2004; First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is USS Columbia’s (SSN 771) sponsor and christened it in 1994. “As sponsor, the first lady will establish a special link to Illinois, her sailors, and their families that extends throughout the life of the submarine,” a White House press release says. “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as sponsor of the USS Illinois,” the first lady said yesterday. “I’m always inspired by the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Navy, as well as the families who support them. This submarine is a tribute to the strength, courage, and determination that our Navy families exhibit every day.” “Naval tradition holds that a sponsor’s spirit and presence guide the ship and her crew throughout the life of the ship,” Mabus said. “Illinois and her crew are blessed to have such a wonderful sponsor and I am grateful Mrs. Obama accepted my invitation to serve as sponsor for this submarine.” The first lady also serves as the sponsor for the recently commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, based in Alameda, Calif. The ship is named after Captain Dorothy Stratton, the director of the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve during World War II where she oversaw 10,000 enlisted women and 1,000 commissioned officers. In 2009, Mabus announced that for the first time in U.S. Navy history, women would be assigned to the operational submarine force. The 24 women who met with the president and first lady were accepted into the Navy’s nuclear submarine program after completing intensive training. They are serving on ballistic and guided missile submarines throughout the Navy.

Army Awards Health Professions Scholarships

2012-05-29T18:21:46+00:00

May 29, 2012 By Gini Sinclair, Army Medical Recruiting Brigade FORT KNOX, Ky. (Army News Service) -- During fiscal year 2011 the Army awarded health professions scholarships to 502 students, including 287 medical students and 127 dental students. Those scholarships covered the costs of more than $24 million in tuition alone. Currently more than 1,100 medical students are attending more than 150 schools, thanks to the Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program. The F. Edward Herbert Army Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program, or HPSP, is available to help students finance their graduate medical, dental, veterinary and clinical psychology degrees, as well as select nursing and specialty degrees. "In a time of economic uncertainty, young healthcare professionals should carefully consider their options before assuming significant debt to finance their education," said Col. Scott Dingle, Medical Recruiting Brigade commander. "Through the HPSP program, Army medicine has helped finance the education and training of thousands of health care professionals across the United States." For many students seeking a career in healthcare, the burden of student loan debts and the process of qualifying for a loan, are both serious issues that keep them from pursuing advanced degrees. According to a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges, annual tuition and fees at state medical schools in 2010-2011 averaged approximately $25,000 for state residents and $48,000 for non-residents. At private schools, tuition and fees averaged $42,000 for residents and $43,000 for non-resident students. These figures do not include housing or living expenses. "The HPSP program alleviates many of the financial concerns," said Maj. Carl Tadaki, general surgeon, Ireland Army Community Hospital, Fort Knox, Ky. "It pays all the tuition, all the books and a stipend to live on. It alleviates most of the financial burden that people incur." Graduates who finance medical school face an average debt of nearly $160,000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Additionally, more than one-third of medical school graduates are also burdened with undergraduate educational loans. "Initially, I took the scholarship because of the money," said Col. Christopher A. Dillon, MD, Adolescent Medicine Staff Physician, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio. "I never expected to practice medicine in the Army 24 years later. I have had the opportunity to tour the world, participate in humanitarian missions, provide medical care to our service members, local nationals and contract workers from around the world. I get to practice medicine the right way. I spend about 30 minutes with each patient and get to give comprehensive care for each visit." Army HPSP scholarship amounts vary by school and specialty. The program provides students with the full cost of tuition, school-related fees and books, and a monthly stipend of $2,060 throughout the school year. The scholarship can be used at any accredited school in the United States or Puerto Rico. Current scholarship students are attending an extensive list of schools including Harvard, Vanderbilt and Duke. In addition, HPSP awardees in the Medical Corps and Dental Corps are eligible for a one-time $20,000 bonus. Upon graduation and entry to active duty as an officer, health care professionals receive increases in salary and opportunities for a broad range of residencies, fellowships and special pay incentives. After graduation, medical professionals can be assigned to work in any of the eight Army medical centers, 27 medical department activities or numerous clinics in the United States, Europe, Korea, and Japan. Dental clinics are organized into five major centers with clinics in the United States, Europe, Korea and Japan. Currently, health professionals in the U.S. Army serve a community of over 3.5 million Soldiers, retirees and their family members.

Memorial Day for Marines at Afghanistan’s Helmand Post Honors Fallen Warriors

2012-05-29T12:44:22+00:00

May 29, 2012 As the blistering sun sets, disappearing in the horizon, a solemn wind of silence breezes through the dusky sky along with the first hints of cool evening air here at this remotely located operating base in Helmand province at precisely 7:12 p.m., May 28, 2012. Flanked by a bugler, who plays the ceremonial hymn, Retreat, three formations of U.S. Marines and Sailors, British service members, along with Afghan National Army soldiers stand in orderly fashion at center stage of the Task Force Leatherneck compound here, to witness the lowering of the colors and to reflect on those who have perished during generations of war in service to America. Prior to the lowering of the colors, and in observance of Memorial Day, Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general of 1st Marine Division (Forward), and TFL, the ground combat element of Regional Command Southwest, which covers Helmand and Nimroz provinces, led the TFL formation to pay tribute to fallen warriors from all conflicts. During his remarks Berger said that Memorial Day should remind everyone of the sacrifice of U.S. service members who have died here in Afghanistan. Also, people should remember the sacrifice of the wounded, the family members who bear the burden of long and numerous deployments, and those who have died defending the nation in other conflicts. “The sacrifice of those whose plain white markers stand proudly in those cemeteries,” said Berger, “in long rows, all perfectly aligned is a solemn reminder that the cost of freedom is high and the greatest strength of our nation is her people.” In the often volatile Afghanistan provinces of Helmand and Nimroz alone, 49 Marines have died since Jan. 1, 2012 to today. This Memorial Day had greater importance to Sgt. Camilo R. Osuna, company police sergeant for Headquarters Battalion (Fwd), 1st MarDiv (Fwd). Today was Osuna’s father’s birthday: a former Marine, and a fallen Marine. “Today is my dad’s birthday,” said Osuna, whose father passed away at 25. “He was a Marine and he died in 1991 during (Operation) Desert Storm. His birthday just happened to line up with Memorial Day and I got to raise the flag in the morning and lower it in the evening on his birthday.” Osuna, a native of Calexico, Calif., is more than a company police sergeant. He is a military musician, the chief Martial Arts Instructor Trainer here, and the color sergeant. “Today, I felt so much more pride raising and lowering the flag.” HISTORIC REUNION A NEAR CENTURY LATER Task Force Leatherneck is led by 1st MarDiv (Fwd) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Force and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. Regimental Combat Teams 5 and 6 currently fall under TFL’s command. During the onward stages of this year’s fighting season, which typically occur during the spring and summer months, Regimental Combat Teams 5 and 6 are deeply engaged in combat. Regimental Combat Team 5 has an area of responsibility in the southern region of RC(SW), while RCT 6 patrols the north. The last time 5th and 6th Marine Regiments fought side-by-side was 94 years ago during the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood, which was fought against the Germans from June 1-26, 1918, in what was then a remote wheat field that laid entrance to a dense, 200-acre forest just outside of Chateau Theirry, about 50 miles east of Paris. In that battle, the Allied troops lost about 1,800 men as it was often regarded as the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history at the time. In a polarizing landscape almost a century later, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments are together again on the Afghan battlefield. Furthermore, members of the remain-behind element of 5th Marine Regiment, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., stood in Belleau, France, during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial to honor those lost on that French battlefield in 1918 where the cemetery stands today. In the past ten years of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. has lost more than 6,400 service members. As the colors lower and the detail of Marines receive the flag, the formation of Marines and Sailors reflect with somber silence on the meaning of Memorial Day and the price paid in blood by their fallen brothers and sisters of past and present.

Obama: All Americans Must Help Shoulder Burden of War

2012-05-29T12:42:00+00:00

May 29, 2012 By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. -- Binding the wounds of war is the priority for our nation, President Barack Obama said during the Memorial Day observance here today. Representing all Americans, the president placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then spoke at the Memorial Amphitheatre. "Today we come together as Americans to pray, to reflect and to remember these heroes," he said. "But tomorrow this hallowed place will once again belong to a smaller group of visitors following a well-worn path to a certain spot and kneeling in front of a familiar headstone. You are the family and friends of the fallen." Those who have lost a loved one "leave a piece of yourselves beneath these trees," the president said. "You, too, call this sanctuary home." The president noted that for the first time in nine years Americans are not fighting and dying in Iraq. The war in Afghanistan is winding down, he said, and U.S. troops deployed there will come home. "After a decade under the dark cloud of war, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon," he said. With the war in Iraq over, the president put the scale of the sacrifice in perspective. He spoke of the four Marines who died in a helicopter crash on the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy and Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey were the first casualties of the war. He then spoke of the last of the nearly 4,500 casualties: Spc. David Hickman who was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad a month before the last Americans left Iraq in December. The president spoke about meeting the Hickman family at Fort Bragg, N.C. "Right now, the Hickman's are beginning a very difficult journey that so many of your families have traveled before them -- a journey that more families will take in the months and years ahead," he said. Obama spoke directly to the families of the fallen and shared what he told the Hickmans: that there is no more wrenching decision as president than sending service members into harm's way. "I can promise you that I will never do so unless it is absolutely necessary," he said. "Then when we do, we must give our troops a clear mission and the full support of a grateful nation." Americans need to help the families facing such tragedy, the president said. "As a country, all of us can and should ask ourselves how we can help you shoulder a burden that no one should have to bear alone. "As we honor your mothers and fathers, your sons and daughters who have given their last full measure of devotion to this country, we have to ask ourselves how we can support you and your families, and give you some strength." The best way to help is to remember the sacrifices and to remember the dead as not just a line in the newspaper, but as individuals, Obama said. The country can honor them by meeting its obligations to those who did come home, he added. "To all our men and women in uniform who are here today, know this: The patriots who rest beneath these hills were fighting for many things -- for their families, for their flag -- but above all, they were fighting for you," Obama said. "As long as I am president, we will make sure you and your loved ones will receive the benefits you've earned and the respect you deserve. America will be there for you."