Gates says country needs to better recognize soldiers’ sacrifices

In a speech at Duke University, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told students that the country needs to better understand the service and sacrifices that warfigh...

In a speech at Duke University, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told students that the country needs to better understand the service and sacrifices that warfighters and their families make.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan “remain an abstraction, a distant and unpleasant series of news items that does not affect them personally,” Gates said.

Gates drew a contrast between his audience and their peers deployed overseas: “Instead of wearing J. Crew they wear body armor. Instead of carrying book bags they are carrying assault rifles. And a number of them – far too many- will not come home to their parents.”

But the Defense Secretary also stressed the opportunities that can come from military service

With military service comes the opportunity to be given extraordinary responsibility at a young age “not just for lives of troops, but for missions and decisions that may change the course of history,” he said.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily DoD Report brought to you by Dell. For more defense news, click here.

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Election 2024

    ‘It’s a scary time’: DOJ employees fear escalation of threats following Election Day

    Read more
    The State Department seal is seen on the briefing room lectern ahead of a briefing by State Department spokesperson Ned Price at the State Department in Washington, DC, on January 31, 2022. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

    State Dept urges workforce to prioritize disability rights in accessibility playbook

    Read more