Last updated on February 7th, 2013 at 03:11 pm
President Obama pulled a fast one on Karl Rove and the National Review, who claimed he was in Paris raising cash on July 4th, when he was, in fact, doing what he does every year — throwing a party for our troops on the South Lawn of the White House.
President Obama and the First Lady had their annual July 4th barbeque for our service members and Obama spoke a few words, ending on a consistent note of being there for our troops as they have been there for us, saying, “And as long as I have the honor of being your Commander-in-Chief, I want you all — our men and women in uniform, our veterans and their families — to know this: America will always remember. We will always be there for you, just as you’ve been there for us.”
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
Look, it’s even on video! Watch here:
THE PRESIDENT: How’s it going, everybody? (Applause.) Are you hot? It’s supposed to be hot. It’s the fourth of July. Happy Fourth of July, everybody! (Applause.) On behalf of the entire Obama family, welcome to the White House.
Now, the last thing anybody wants to do is to ruin a nice backyard barbecue with a long speech, so I’m going to be quick.
It is always such an honor for us to spend this holiday with members of our military and your extraordinary families. All of you represent what is best in America. You serve under our proud flag. You and your families sacrifice more than most of us can ever know — all in defense of those God-given rights that were first put to paper 236 years ago: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
So as your Commander-in-Chief — but also as an American — I want to invite all of you over to say one thing: thank you.
Today, all across America, at schools, and beaches, and in town squares, Americans are celebrating the freedoms that all of you and your families defend. Like many of them, we’re grilling in the backyard. We’ve got some pretty good tunes for you. We’ve got the outstanding Marine Band. Give them a big round of applause. (Applause.) And we’ve got Brad Paisley and his band in the house for a little country. (Applause.)
We’ve also got all of you. We’ve got Army in the house. (Applause.) We’ve got Navy. (Applause.) We’ve got Air Force. (Applause.) You know we’ve got some Marines here. (Applause.) And we’ve got Coast Guard. (Applause.) Today, we salute all of you.
We salute our soldiers, like Sergeant Alan Ruehs, who, in the midst of an enemy ambush in Afghanistan, risked his own life to save the lives of four others.
We salute our sailors, like Petty Officer Taylor Morris, who suffered terrible wounds while serving in Afghanistan on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, but who inspires us all through his incredible recovery.
We salute an Airman — Colonel Charles Barnett, who led close to 200 combat missions in Afghanistan and still serves his country by volunteering to care for our fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.
We salute a Marine — Corporal Alex Nguyen, who sustained serious injuries when his vehicle struck an IED in Afghanistan, but who carries on stronger than ever.
We salute a “Coastie” from my hometown of Chicago — Lieutenant Commander Michelle Watson, who was one of the first African American women to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy, and went on to perform exceptional service in Operation Enduring Freedom.
All the men and women who stand with us here this afternoon are an example of this generation of heroes — this 9/11 Generation that has earned its place in history alongside the greatest generations. Because of your service and sacrifice, all of our troops are now out of Iraq. (Applause.) Because of your service and sacrifice, we took the fight to al Qaeda and we brought Osama bin Laden to justice. (Applause.) Because of your service and sacrifice, we’re transitioning out of Afghanistan. We will remain ready for any threat. That is all because of you. (Applause.)
And as long as I have the honor of being your Commander-in-Chief, I want you all — our men and women in uniform, our veterans and their families — to know this: America will always remember. We will always be there for you, just as you’ve been there for us. That’s my promise. That is America’s promise. And that is one that we pledge to fulfill on this Independence Day.
So, Happy Fourth of July, everybody. Enjoy the fireworks. Get some hotdogs. God bless you. God bless your families. And God bless these United States of America.
And with that, let me turn it back over to the United States Marine Band. (Applause.)
END
Gosh, that man is amazing, isn’t he? He showed up right where his itinerary said he would be — on the South Lawn of the White House, giving a party for our troops – you know, sorta patriotic and all on Independence Day — or, as conservatives like to say, “spending July 4th in Paris.”
Gee, the South Lawn doesn’t look like Paris. I guess all of those troops don’t exist either…
Happy Independence Day, from all of us here at Evil Liberal Socialism Headquarters – aka, PoliticusUSA.
Listen to Sarah on the PoliticusUSA Pod on The Daily newsletter podcast here.
Sarah has been credentialed to cover President Barack Obama, then VP Joe Biden, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and exclusively interviewed Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times and exclusively covered her first home appearance after the first impeachment of then President Donald Trump.
Sarah is two-time Telly award winning video producer and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Connect with Sarah on Post, Mastodon @PoliticusSarah@Journa.Host, & Twitter.
