Former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie Reminds Us Why We Celebrate Memorial Day

The Daily Signal

Government, Daily News, News, Politics

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 31 May 2021

⏱️ 24 minutes

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Summary

On Memorial Day, America honors the more than 1 million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Robert Wilkie, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Trump administration, says Americans owe a great debt because without those who laid down their lives, “we wouldn't have very much to stand on.” Wilkie, who grew up in a military family, learned from a young age that freedom has a cost. Also a former undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, he says it is imperative that young Americans are taught U.S. history and the values of our nation. Otherwise, he says, they won't understand why America is worth fighting for. Wilkie, now a visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation, our parent organization, joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss the history of Memorial Day and how we can honor those who fell in defending our freedoms. Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is the Daily Signal Podcast for Monday, May 31st.
0:06.4	I'm Virginia Allen, Happy Memorial Day.
0:09.6	We have a special show planned for you all today in honor of Memorial Day and in honor
0:14.8	of all of the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country.
0:20.1	Robert Wilkie, the former United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Donald
0:25.2	Trump, joins us to talk about the significance and history of this day.
0:38.9	I am honored to welcome to the show the former United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
0:44.7	Robert Wilkie.
0:46.1	Mr. Wilkie also serves as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force Reserve and
0:51.3	is a Heritage Foundation visiting fellow.
0:54.2	Thank you so much for being with us today.
0:56.6	Virginia, thank you very much for having me.
0:58.4	It's an honor.
0:59.4	Well, today we are remembering all of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service
1:06.7	to our country today as Memorial Day.
1:09.9	And Mr. Wilkie, as we remember those individuals, what are some of the stories that come to your
1:17.2	mind, maybe of family members that you have spoken with who have lost loved ones in the
1:22.5	service?
1:23.5	Well, I will relay two stories that I gave to President Trump when he asked me to leave
1:32.5	position as Under Secretary of Defense under General Mattis to Code of VA.
1:36.8	I grew up at Fort Brack, the home of the Armed Forces, most decorated combat force, the
1:45.3	82nd Airborne Division, and the 18th Airborne Corps, which when I was a little boy just
	...

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