In the past few months, the United States has set an impressive pace in vaccinating our citizens against COVID-19. I know it wasn’t entirely easy for everyone to make it here today.Īmid the pandemic, I’m especially grateful for this opportunity to come together safely, and to thank all of you for your contributions to our country’s security. Thank you for your support for our mission, for this command, and for those two outstanding leaders.Īnd finally, to the men and women of Indo-Pacific Command: you show us every day what it takes to operate in this theater from a position of strength and principle.Īnd I really am so proud to be here with you.
I’m also delighted to welcome our many distinguished visitors: our senior leaders, distinguished representatives of our allies and partners from across the Indo-Pacific, and our many friends from the great state of Hawaii, including as you’ve heard: Governor David Ige, former Governor George Ariyoshi, and Mayor Rick Blangiardi of Honolulu. So let me offer you a big advance down-payment of thanks from the Department for the support he’s going to need in these next few big years. We are profoundly grateful to you for standing alongside him through his service-and I should warn you, it’s about to get a lot busier. I’m equally honored to welcome Admiral Aquilino’s family: his wife Laura and their daughters, Lisa and Jessica. Thank you for your lifetime of support, sacrifice, and love. You’ve been full partners alongside the Admiral, and the nation owes you a deep debt. Tracy, as a military spouse, you’ve helped carry the tremendous responsibility placed upon our men and women in uniform.Īnd all three of you have helped shoulder enormous burdens so that your husband and father could focus on his mission.
It is a privilege to be here as we honor the leadership and the distinguished career of Admiral Philip Davidson-and to welcome Admiral Chris Aquilino as he takes the helm of Indo-Pacific Command.įirst and foremost, I’d like to thank Admiral Davidson’s family: his wife Tracy, their son Ben, and their daughter Lara.
Thank you, General Milley, and good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
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