Obama urges nation to ‘forge unity’ after bitter election
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama, with, from left, Robert Swan, left, National Commander of Polish Legion of American Veterans, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald, put his hand over his chest during a Veteran Day ceremony in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., today.
ARLINGTON, Va. >> Three days after Election Day, President Barack Obama used his last Veterans Day speech to urge Americans to learn from the example of veterans as a divided nation seeks to “forge unity” after the bitter 2016 campaign.
Obama, in remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, noted that Veterans Day often comes on the heels of hard-fought campaigns that “lay bare disagreements across our nation.”
“But the American instinct has never been to find isolation in opposite corners,” Obama said. “It is to find strength in our common creed, to forge unity from our great diversity, to maintain that strength and unity even when it is hard.”
He added that now that the election is over, “as we search for ways to come together, to reconnect with one another and with the principles that are more enduring than transitory politics, some of our best examples are the men and women we salute on Veterans Day.”
Tuesday’s election of Republican Donald Trump led to protests across the country.
Obama noted that the U.S. military is the country’s most diverse institution, comprised of immigrants and native-born service members representing all religions and no religion. He says they are all “forged into common service.”
With just two months left in his term, Obama also noted how he’s aged over the past eight years.
He read excerpts from an essay by a middle-schooler who wrote that veterans are special because they will defend people regardless of their race, gender, hair color or other differences.
“After eight years in office, I particularly appreciate that he included hair color,” Obama quipped.
Turning serious again on his final Veterans Day as commander in chief, Obama said that “whenever the world makes you cynical, whenever you doubt that courage and goodness and selflessness is possible, then stop and look to a veteran.”
“On Veterans Day, we acknowledge humbly that we can never serve our veterans in quite the same way that they served us, but we can try. We can practice kindness, we can pay it forward, we can volunteer, we can serve, we can respect one another, we can always get each other’s backs,” he said.
Before speaking, the president laid a wreath at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns. He bowed his head in silent tribute before a bugler played taps.
Obama also held a breakfast reception at the White House with veterans and their families.
20 responses to “Obama urges nation to ‘forge unity’ after bitter election”
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I promise to provide as much respect and dignity to President Trump, as the Republican party afforded President Obama for the past 8 years.
IRT SeaBorn, that’s all President Trump would expect from a fellow American.
Forge Unity??? From the man who has divided the country politically, morally, financially, and racially??? I saw the final retort Senator Reid had–my comment? Good Riddance and don’t let the door slap you in the — as you leave.
peace and heartfelt thanks to all veterans, living and dead, who put their lives at risk defending america at home and in foreign lands.
Maybe I can respect Obama again, ironically on his way out. After eight years of partisan politics the man seems to have finally stepped up to try and bring this country together again. Up to now, all I remember is him telling the Republicans to shut up as the Democrats had won the elections.
Obama might pardon Hilliary but who’s going to pardon him.
Pardon for what? I haven’t heard that either of them having been convicted and sentenced for any crime. You need to get a mental checkup. You’re starting to hallucinate.
lespark went off the deep end some time ago
She has not been convicted yet. Pass judgement on her and the foundation after Obama is out. The need to have Trump as president to bring back the check and balances of government and write additional laws so that this will never happen as it almost did.
The president, the head of the DOJ, the head of the FBI and the IRS (a privately owned corporation run by the elite) that together was able to get away with things that were against the laws and constitution and the betterment of the people.
A quiet coup was being instrumented and still is as the globalist continues their attack on America and its people.
Peaceful demonstration yes, blocking main freeways, highways and roadways a no no. These people leading these demonstrations do not think of the safety of others, emergency situation of people needing medical attention, people going to important events, etc.
Did you know that the emails uncovered, the talk was not about what and how things should be done for the good and safety of the American people. It was all about what they had to do for themselves. That in itself shows the type of characters they were.
Yep, Bumby, that’s all we need, Trump doing the “check and balances.” In light of his 6 bankruptcies, I don’t think check and balances is his strong suit.
IRT AhiPoke, without the limu. Yes, Hawaii born President Obama always said, “Elections has consequences.” What is exciting, the 29 promises of his Contract with the American voter reaches all Americans equally and not for separate groups.
After winning the election, Obama said in 2009 to the Republicans, “For those who oppose our policies, you should just shut up and go away”. In 2013, Obama said to the Republicans “You don’t like a particular policy or a particular president? Go out there and win an election”. And on and on. Both sides say a lot of things and the news media loves it. It’s just hard to find a station that is neutral or just report the news.
So they are now willing to forge unity with the large population of deplorables? Amazing that elitists want to unify with deplorables. Me thinks they are being untruthful again.
Just for giggles I called a couple of random depression therapist numbers in the phone book and they’re all booked solid. I wonder why? Pharmacists are also filling anti-depressant scripts at a record pace. Something must be going on but I can’t put my finger on it.
So did Obama manage to condemn the violence and rioting in Portand while urging everyone else to forge unity? I find his silence regarding the violence speaks volumes as he speaks out of the two sides of his mouth.
How about the three murders a day in Chicago??? And he thought Bush left him with a mess???
No Kidding, glad someone brought that up. I wouldn’t be surprised if next Jan. the media starts to report “murders under Trump’s watch”.
O has NO LEGACY…never had…never will….my bad…O will be remembered as the WORST potus in American history!
That’s his legacy.
Thank you, President Obama, for your intelligent and dignified commemoration of Veteran’s Day. We have been so fortunate to have had you as our President for these past eight years. God bless you, sir.