Obama Praises Troops in Inaugural Address

Moments after he took the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., on Jan. 21, President Obama made it a point to laud the service of those in the Armed Forces as he addressed the nation. “Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage,” Obama said, during his inaugural address. “Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm.” Obama also referred to the plan to end U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan in the coming months. “America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe,” he said. “We will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation.” More than 5,000 uniformed service members took part in activities surrounding the inaugural events in Washington.