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President Obama Visits Naval Air Station Jacksonville

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091026-19
Release Date: 10/26/2009 8:04:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Gay, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East Detachment Southeast

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- President Barack Obama visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville to meet with and deliver remarks to 3,500 service members and their families Oct 26.

"It is great to be here at one of Americas finest Naval Air Stations," said Obama as he took the podium.

Obama held a town hall-style rally where he talked about his commitment to the military and discussed the importance of military families and service.

"Military communities like this one take care of their own," said Obama. "It's not the remarkable platforms that give the United States its military superiority… its not the sophisticated technologies that make us the most advanced in the world…no, we have the finest Navy and the finest military in the history of the world because we have the finest personnel in the world."

During his remarks Obama also spoke about the duties and responsibilities that military members accept.

"We are a country of more than 300,000,000 Americans, but less than one percent wear the uniform," said Obama. "That one percent, you and the ones in uniform bear the overwhelming burden of our security."

Before departing the podium Obama spoke about his greatest privilege as president.

"Of all the privileges I have as president, I have no greater honor than serving as your Commander-in-Chief."

After his remarks, Obama went into the crowd to meet, shake hands and sign autographs amongst hundreds of servicemen and women in attendance.

As part of his visit Obama also met privately with 12 of NAS Jacksonville's top Sailors for a few words and a personal greeting. The Sailors that met with the president said they felt honored to have been selected to meet their Commander-in-Chief.

"I am speechless," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Stacey Thinn. "It was such a great honor, he is such an inspirational person and it was just an awesome experience all around."

President Obama was visiting NAS Jacksonville as part of a way to personally thank uniformed service members for their sacrifice for their country.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Southeast, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacendetse/.