1 00:00:02,540 --> 00:00:04,320 Hello , I'm Lloyd Austin , the 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:06,780 Secretary of defense and I'm Charlene 3 00:00:06,780 --> 00:00:09,500 Austin and we'd like to take just a 4 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:11,620 moment to wish all of our service 5 00:00:11,620 --> 00:00:14,100 members , their families and our 6 00:00:14,100 --> 00:00:17,380 civilian workforce a happy , safe and 7 00:00:17,380 --> 00:00:20,140 healthy holiday season . And Charlene 8 00:00:20,140 --> 00:00:22,630 will tell you one of my favorite parts 9 00:00:22,630 --> 00:00:24,686 of this job is getting the chance to 10 00:00:24,686 --> 00:00:26,797 talk with so many of you stationed at 11 00:00:26,797 --> 00:00:29,160 home and abroad and your pride in 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,310 serving our nation always shines 13 00:00:31,310 --> 00:00:34,610 through for many of you this year , 14 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:37,007 that service means being away from the 15 00:00:37,007 --> 00:00:39,540 people you love . We know how hard that 16 00:00:39,540 --> 00:00:42,260 can be , especially during the holidays . 17 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:45,270 But I hope that you know how proud we 18 00:00:45,270 --> 00:00:48,870 are of you . And so is President biden 19 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:51,060 the first lady in our entire country . 20 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:53,970 We also want to say a special word of 21 00:00:53,970 --> 00:00:57,180 thanks to our military families because 22 00:00:57,180 --> 00:00:59,420 you serve every bit as much as our 23 00:00:59,420 --> 00:01:02,460 troops and our dedicated civilians do 24 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:05,930 Your love and support makes the United 25 00:01:05,930 --> 00:01:08,250 States military the strongest in the 26 00:01:08,250 --> 00:01:11,650 world . That's right Charlene . Our 27 00:01:11,650 --> 00:01:14,000 family's help make everything possible . 28 00:01:14,540 --> 00:01:16,540 And we're also thinking of our Gold 29 00:01:16,540 --> 00:01:18,596 star families too . We know how hard 30 00:01:18,596 --> 00:01:21,100 this time of year can be and you and 31 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:23,267 your loved ones remain in our hearts , 32 00:01:23,540 --> 00:01:26,420 our thoughts and our prayers . So to 33 00:01:26,420 --> 00:01:28,340 our entire military and veteran 34 00:01:28,340 --> 00:01:32,290 community wherever you serve in uniform 35 00:01:32,290 --> 00:01:35,440 or not and whether your son or daughter 36 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,420 or parent is serving , thank you for 37 00:01:38,420 --> 00:01:41,400 all that you do . We wish you all a 38 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,450 safe and wonderful holiday season , a 39 00:01:44,450 --> 00:01:47,160 merry christmas in a great New Year , 40 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:49,650 happy holidays , Everyone