SECDEF’s Veterans Day Message
Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Veterans Day Nov. 10, 2021
On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense — those currently serving — I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have come before us.
Veterans Day is a unique opportunity for us to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of our predecessors, to recognize the broad shoulders upon which we now stand. In peace and in war, spanning generations all the way back to the very founding of this country, fellow Americans have defended our democracy, advanced our security interests, fought our wars and preserved our way of life.
Some never returned to society the same as when they left home for boot camp. Some never returned at all. But all of them, living and dead, are owed a great debt. And all of them – as well as their families – are due our deepest respect.
That’s why we in the Department of Defense continue to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure the transition to civilian life is as seamless as possible for everyone serving today. And it’s why we are working so hard to provide the best medical and mental health care possible for those whose military service has concluded. We must prove capable of treating the wounds we see, as well as the ones we cannot see.
We must also ensure, as a nation, that the growth, development and opportunities for veterans persist well after they take off the uniform. From education to employment opportunities, we in the Department will continue to make sure our transitioning members understand fully and can secure the benefits available to them and to their families.
And we thank those families as well, for they served our country every bit as our veterans did. Through frequent moves and deployments and the stress and strain of everyday military life, they made possible what our troops made possible for national defense.
Finally, we should remember that many veterans still serve this country. From community volunteering to leadership at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors, veterans make an enormous difference. They run companies. They run non-profits. They run for office. They still lead and inform and motivate others to succeed and to serve.
On this Veterans Day, I hope that lesson in particular is one not lost on anyone. And I take comfort in knowing that in communities large and small across this land, the American people continue to find ways to reach out and support our veterans – who they know as their neighbors and teachers and coaches and friends.
So, to our predecessors — our veterans and your brave families — thank you for the service you rendered in uniform and for that service you still render our great country. We honor you today, and we remember you always.
Veteran’s Day Message from the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
MHS Colleagues,
Each year, we pause on Veterans Day to recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. America’s brave military men and women, past and present, represent the very best of us. Their courage, love of country, and willingness to serve are ideals to which we should all aspire.
For the Military Health System, it’s also a reminder of the trust that has been placed in each of us to deliver a level of care that they deserve and have earned. We have the unique privilege of honoring their legacies not just one day, but every day—and throughout their lives.
Caring for our nation’s veterans is a role in which I’ve always taken a great deal of pride. It’s a sacred responsibility, and one in which the MHS continues to make a measurable and lasting impact.
This is also a day to recognize military families. The family members of the MHS are every bit as vital to meeting our readiness and national security mission. They, too, have served and sacrificed, and have earned our care and support when they need it.
Finally, to my veteran colleagues, thank you!
Your leadership and experience are essential to continuing to move the MHS forward. You strengthen our work with a perspective few can provide. I learn from you and am inspired by your example every day.
Wherever you find yourself this Veterans Day, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on those we’ve lost, those still with us, and of course those who are within our care.
Our obligation to our service members and their families doesn’t end when they’re out of uniform. And our mission affords us a tremendous opportunity to give back and provide the post-service support these heroes deserve.
Happy Veterans Day! And thank you for your service.
Terry
Terry Adirim, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense – Health Affairs
Department of Defense
SG’s USMC Birthday and Veteran’s Day Message
Esteemed Shipmates,
This week we celebrate two events that underscore the service, sacrifice, and dedication of our Armed Forces and remind us of the essential contributions of our One Navy Medicine Team. Today, U.S. Marines around the globe celebrate a 246-year legacy of battlefield skill defined by courage, discipline, loyalty, perseverance, adaptability, leadership, and warfighting innovation. For Navy Medicine, today is a celebration of that shared heritage and our special bonds of service. We have marched with Marines through dirt, sand, and mud to provide lifesaving medical care. From the halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli, at Guantanamo Bay in the Spanish-American War, the Western Front of the First World War, and in every conflict and engagement, we have been comrades-in-arms. To Marines everywhere – and all Navy medical personnel who have served on the Greenside, including the 8,500+ Corpsmen, Dentists, Medical Service Corps Officers, Nurses, and Physicians in BSO-27 billets today – Happy Birthday and Semper Fi!
Tomorrow, we observe Veterans Day. Every Veteran has their own story about entering military service. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, thousands lined up at their local recruitment stations; this same desire to serve echoed decades later following the attacks on 11 September. For some, military life began at an academy or ROTC unit. For others, it started with a draft lottery and notice. Regardless of the path to service, era, or branch — everyone who has worn the uniform has taken a sacred pledge to serve as America’s shield and sword.
To our Veterans past and present – Thank You! You have lighted the path we follow today and have preserved our cherished freedoms. To you we owe our endearing respect and gratitude.
With profound admiration and thanks,
Bruce L. Gillingham, MD, CPE, FAOA, FAAOS
RADM, MC, USN
Surgeon General, U.S. Navy
Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
October Naval Medical Force Development Center Newsletter
On behalf of the Naval Medical Force Development Center (NMFDC), please see the attached OCT 2021 NMFDC Newsletter.
This month’s newsletter includes a Naval Medical Readiness Criteria (NMRC) update, current BUMED Reserve Policy (M10) and Reserve Component (RC) NMRC integration progress, information on how to schedule a virtual site visit with the NMFDC, COVID-19 lessons learned from the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and key considerations from a recent discussion with Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF)-Mike regarding their recent Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE).
Please feel free to share this newsletter with other relevant Navy Medicine stakeholders and those interested in the NMFDC’s efforts.
Have a great weekend, and a safe and happy Halloween!
Very Respectfully,
The Naval Medical Force Development Center
In Case You Missed It – MC Symposium Talk on Operation Allied Refuge
Here is a link to the Medical Corps Symposium talk on Operation Allied Refuge:
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 