President Barack Obama delivers Veterans Day remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today is Veterans Day, and President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden travelled to Arlington National Cemetery to honor our nation’s fallen warriors, veterans and military families. Before President Obama gave remarks, they laid a wreath to “remember every service member who has ever worn our nation’s uniform.”

The President discussed our sacred duty to care for our men and women in uniform and their families, even after their military service has concluded.  

So long after the battles end, long after our heroes come home, we stay by their side.  That’s who we are.  And that’s who we’ll be for today’s returning service members and their families.  Because no one who fights for this country overseas should ever have to fight for a job, or a roof over their head, or the care that they have earned when they come home.   

We know the most urgent task many of you face is finding a new way to serve.  That’s why we’ve made it a priority to help you find jobs worthy of your incredible skills and talents.  That’s why, thanks to the hard work of Michelle and Jill Biden, some of our most patriotic businesses have hired or trained 125,000 veterans and military spouses.  It’s why we’re transforming, for the first time in decades, how the military transitions service members from the battlefield to the workplace.  And because you deserve to share in the opportunities you defend, we are making sure that the Post-9/11 GI Bill stays strong so you can earn a college education and pursue your dreams. 

Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama applaud as President Barack Obama delivers Veterans Day remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

He also relayed the story of Petty Officer Taylor Morris who served in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team in Afghanistan. Six months ago, Petty Officer Morris was on patrol and stepped on an IED. The explosion cost him both legs, his left arm and his right hand. He is one of only five Americans treated at Walter Reed to survive the amputation of all four limbs. Despite his staggering injuries, Petty Officer Morris has made a remarkable recovery and in July, he came to the White House where President Obama presented him with a Purple Heart.

His story of recovery has been an inspiration for Americans across the country. As President Obama said:  

In Taylor we see the best of America -- a spirit that says, when we get knocked down, we rise again.  When times are tough, we come together.  When one of us falters, we lift them up.  In this country we take care of our own –- especially our veterans who have served so bravely and sacrificed so selflessly in our name.  And we carry on, knowing that our best days always lie ahead. 

Vice President Joe Biden watches as President Barack Obama is photographed with Petty Officer Taylor Morris in the Green Room of the White House, July 26, 2012. The President presented a Purple Heart to Morris, who was participating in a tour of the White House with other wounded warriors and their families. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Learn More:

• Join First Lady Michelle Obama in sending a message of thanks to an American hero
• Learn more about Joining Forces
• See a photo gallery from Veterans Day 2011

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the Iftar Dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House, Aug. 10, 2012 (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Last night, President Obama hosted his fourth Iftar dinner as President in the State Dining Room of the White House. The Iftar is the meal that breaks the day of fasting during Ramadan, when Muslim families and communities eat together after sunset.

During his remarks at the dinner, the President reflected on the importance of religious freedom and the important role Muslims have played throughout our country’s history.

Of all the freedoms we cherish as Americans, of all the rights that we hold sacred, foremost among them is freedom of religion, the right to worship as we choose.  It’s enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution -- the law of the land, always and forever.  It beats in our heart -- in the soul of the people who know that our liberty and our equality is endowed by our Creator.  And it runs through the history of this house, a place where Americans of many faiths can come together and celebrate their holiest of days -- and that includes Ramadan.

As I’ve noted before, Thomas Jefferson once held a sunset dinner here with an envoy from Tunisia -- perhaps the first Iftar at the White House, more than 200 years ago.  And some of you, as you arrived tonight, may have seen our special display, courtesy of our friends at the Library of Congress -- the Koran that belonged to Thomas Jefferson.  And that's a reminder, along with the generations of patriotic Muslims in America, that Islam -- like so many faiths -- is part of our national story.

Watch the President's remarks at the Iftar Dinner here.

As rewarding as being a mom can be, it sure isn't easy. That's part of why the Obama Administration is taking steps to level the playing field for mothers and their families.

To help you show some appreciation for the mom in your life, we've put together two Mother's Day cards. One focuses on important health care reforms and the other on heroic military moms across the country.

Check them out and share them:

From all of us here at the White House, Happy Mother's Day!
 

On Thursday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. EDT Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will host a Google+ Hangout to talk about the Obama Administration’s Summer Jobs+ initiative. Summer Jobs+ is a call to action for businesses, non-profits, and government to work together to provide pathways to employment for  youth in the summer of 2012. To date, companies, non-profits and governments have committed to creating nearly 300,000 summer jobs, mentorships and other employment opportunities for young people this summer.

And last week, we launched the Summer Jobs+ Bank, a single-stop resource for young people looking for jobs, internships, mentorship programs and other opportunities this summer. Just enter your city and state in the search widget on the right to get started. Or check out some of these cool Summer Jobs+ apps to access this information via Facebook, your web browser or your smart phone. In addition to these online resources, the National Association of Workforce Boards is promoting more than 30 youth job fairs across the country on Thursday. |

Have questions about how to find a job this summer? Want to know more about what the Obama Administration is doing to help young people connect to employment opportunities? Here’s how you can get involved:

• Starting now, you can ask questions on the White House Google+ page
• Ask questions in advance on the White House facebook page or on Twitter with #WHChat
• Watch live at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday May 10, 2012 on WhiteHouse.gov/live, YouTube.com/whitehouse or the White House Google+ page.
• For upcoming White House Hangouts and more chances to engage, follow the White House on Google+. We hope you'll join us!

President Barack Obama delivers remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., March 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This morning, President Obama addressed the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., where he reaffirmed the strength of our Nation’s special bond with Israel. Tomorrow, President Obama will hold a bi-lateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

During his remarks today, the President discussed the actions his Administration has taken to support Israel:

But as you examine my commitment, you don’t just have to count on my words. You can look at my deeds. Because over the last three years, as President of the United States, I have kept my commitments to the state of Israel. At every crucial juncture – at every fork in the road – we have been there for Israel. Every single time.

Four years ago, I stood before you and said that “Israel’s security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable.” That belief has guided my actions as President. The fact is, my Administration’s commitment to Israel’s security has been unprecedented. Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer. Our joint exercises and training have never been more robust. Despite a tough budget environment, our security assistance has increased every year. We are investing in new capabilities. We’re providing Israel with more advanced technology – the type of products and systems that only go to our closest friends and allies. And make no mistake: we will do what it takes to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge – because Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.

The President also discussed the importance of securing peace between Israelis and Palestinians – a goal shared by the Israeli government:

Of course, there are those who question not my security and diplomatic commitments, but my Administration’s ongoing pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. So let me say this: I make no apologies for pursuing peace. Israel’s own leaders understand the necessity of peace. Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak, and President Peres – each of them have called for two states, a secure Israel that lives side by side with an independent Palestinian state. 

I believe that peace is profoundly in Israel’s security interest. The reality that Israel faces – from shifting demographics, to emerging technologies, to an extremely difficult international environment – demands a resolution of this issue. And I believe that peace with the Palestinians is consistent with Israel’s founding values – because of our shared belief in self-determination; and because Israel’s place as a Jewish and democratic state must be protected.

President Obama also discussed the United States and Israel's mutual interest in ensuring that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. As the President said: “Iran’s leaders should know that I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

A nuclear-armed Iran is completely counter to Israel’s security interests. But it is also counter to the national security interests of the United States. Indeed, the entire world has an interest in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. A nuclear-armed Iran would thoroughly undermine the non-proliferation regime that we have done so much to build. There are risks that an Iranian nuclear weapon could fall into the hands of a terrorist organization. It is almost certain that others in the region would feel compelled to get their own nuclear weapon, triggering an arms race in one of the most volatile regions in the world. It would embolden a regime that has brutalized its own people, and it would embolden Iran’s proxies, who have carried out terrorist attacks from the Levant to southwest Asia.

President of Israel Shimon Peres acknowledges recognition from President Barack Obama during President Obama's remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., March 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

And, on Monday January 30 at 5:30 p.m. ET, President Obama will answer questions that have been submitted by Americans from across the country in the first completely-virtual interview from the White House. 

The deadline to submit your questions is midnight on Saturday January 28, so head over to the White House YouTube Channel now to submit a question or vote for your favorite question.

Then don’t forget to tune in at Monday at 5:30 p.m. when the President will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing. He'll be answering several of the most popular questions that have been submitted through YouTube, and some of the people who submitted questions will even be invited to join the President in the Hangout and take part in the live conversation.

In just a few hours, at 9:00 p.m. ET, President Obama will stand before Congress to give the State of the Union Address. He'll talk about where we are as a nation, and he'll lay out a blueprint for an America built to last.

For weeks, we've been working to this point.

The President has been brainstorming with the speechwriters and huddling with the policy team. He's come up with new ideas, rewritten language, and reordered pages. For President Obama, this isn't simply an editing exercise. He's invested in creating the State of the Union because he sees it as his opportunity to take his vision for the country to the American people directly.

Want to know what that looks like?

We made a behind-the-scenes video to show you what went into this year's State of the Union. Check it out, and stay tuned to watch the speech with us at 9:00 p.m. ET.

To make sure you get the most out of the State of the Union, we've put together an enhanced version of the speech. As the President outlines his plans for 2012, you'll see key facts and figures. We'll present charts and infographics so that everyone can get a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.

We hope you'll join us after the speech as well -- when a group of policy experts and senior White House staff will sit down to discuss the President's remarks online and answer your questions.

The best place to learn more about the State of the Union is at WhiteHouse.gov. Dig in and watch the speech with us:

http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sotu

Moving forward, the President will do everything he can to turn this blueprint into reality -- and you can help. We need a vigorous debate about these ideas. So lift up your voice, share your views, and spread the word.

Thanks,

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President

Related:
Watch the enhanced version of the 2012 State of the Union Address
Read President Obama’s Blueprint for an America that is built to last
Take a deep dive into the data behind the President’s plan
Video: Go behind the scenes as the President prepared his speech
Photo Gallery: Scenes from the State of the Union
Interactive Feature: Who Joined the First Lady for the Speech?
Read the full transcript of President Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address
 

 

On Thursday, Mr. Cordray put out a special video and sent an email to the CFPB email list asking the American people to share their stories about your experiences with everyday consumer financial products like credit cards, mortgage agreements and loans. 

Check out the video and email below and then head over to ConsumerFinance.gov to share your story.

Email from Richard Cordray, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:

Happy New Year,
 
As the new Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and as someone who has been helping to build the Bureau for about a year now, I can tell you it's an extraordinary privilege to work on behalf of American consumers.
 
Consumers like you. Tell your story.

https://help.consumerfinance.gov/app/tellyourstory
 
In our first six months, our team at the Bureau has been answering calls and reading stories from hundreds of American consumers every week. Their stories illustrate the kinds of issues people are dealing with around the country.
 
These things can happen to anyone. We are not talking about some impersonal abstraction, not about somebody "else." We are talking about each one of us. We're talking about our mothers and fathers, our sisters and brothers, our sons and daughters. Regular people who are trying to make the right choices for themselves and their families.
 
We've heard from people like Rebecca from North Carolina. She told us she missed a mortgage payment nine months after her husband lost his job. In the two years since then, her mortgage servicer has increased her payments even though she entered a trial modification in an effort to lower her monthly payments. The servicer has charged her monthly fees for inspections and appraisals that she never asked for and she believes have never occurred, all while repeatedly threatening her with foreclosure unless she shells out more money in unexplained fees. Rebecca has frantically complied with all of these demands because she is afraid of foreclosure and so is doing whatever she can to stay in her home.
 
Tell us your story at https://help.consumerfinance.gov/app/tellyourstory
 
With the stakes so high, consumers need to be able to fully understand the costs and risks of borrowing on credit, and they need to be able to comparison shop for the best deal. Consumers deserve to have someone who will stand on their side, who will protect them against fraud, and who will ensure they are treated fairly. The new Consumer Bureau was created to make sure that these things are achieved for all Americans. The good news is that we have already gotten started.
 
Over time, we will judge the success of our efforts by considering whether consumers are treated more fairly and with more clarity and candor in the financial marketplace. We deeply believe that we must hear from Americans about their experiences.
 
Can you share your experience?
https://help.consumerfinance.gov/app/tellyourstory
 
Think about your own family members. Like all of us, they want to be able to use consumer credit to make their lives better, not worse. That is our goal as well. The financial marketplace can be a potent arena that helps people find and seize opportunity, not condemn them to bewildering failure. By working every day to protect consumers, we will help to fashion a more resilient economy and a stronger country. Join us; work with us; help us make it so.
 
Thank you,

Richard Cordray
Director
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Richard Cordray, a former Ohio Attorney General and the CFPB's agency's current head of enforcement, is President Obama's nominee to lead the new agency July 18, 2011.

 

You can check out some of the stories here or submit your own. And if you didn't receive this email from the President, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Earlier this week, it looked like Congress would go home for the holidays without preventing a tax increase that would mean millions of American families would have about $40 less in each paycheck.

But then something pretty incredible happened.

It began when we asked everyone to show us how that missing $40 would affect them and their families. In a matter of hours thousands of vivid, powerful stories from Americans of all ages, all backgrounds, from every corner across the country were pouring in. For some, $40 means dinner out with a child who's home for the holidays. For others it means a tank of gas or a charitable donation. In just two days, tens of thousands of Americans were making their voices heard.

You spoke up. Your voices made all the difference.

Thanks to you, Congress reached an agreement to extend the payroll tax cut.  On top of that, vital unemployment insurance will continue for millions of Americans who are looking for work.

Yesterday I had the chance to meet a few of the folks who took to the web to make this happen.

Take a moment to hear what they had to say:

We aren't done fighting for the middle class. When Congress returns, they need to keep working to reach an agreement that will extend this tax cut and unemployment insurance for all of 2012 -- without drama or delay.

That's just the beginning of our work ahead in the new year to put more Americans back to work, restore middle-class security, and ensure that folks who work hard and play by the rules get a fair shot.

More than ever I'm confident that, together, those are goals we can achieve.

Thank you, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays,

President Barack Obama

Check out this email from David Plouffe about the countdown clock and the tax cut calculator.  If you didn't get the email, be sure to sign up for the White House email list.

It's simple. If lawmakers don't vote to extend the payroll tax cut, taxes for 160 million Americans will go up on January 1st. 

President Obama just left the press briefing room at the White House where he called on Congress to extend the tax cut, pay for it responsibly, and expand it so middle class families get a $1,500 break next year.

He told Congress to put country before party and stop wasting time.

Every day, folks are fighting to make ends meet and businesses are working to keep their doors open. The longer Congress waits to extend the payroll tax cut, the more uncertainty it creates for ordinary Americans. So we've put a clock on every page of the White House website, counting down the days, hours, and minutes until taxes for the middle class increase. In the briefing room, where the President just spoke, that same clock is ticking down as well.

And to make sure you have the information you need to know exactly what this means for your family, we've put together a calculator to show how much of your money hangs in the balance.

This calculator illustrates for you what nearly every independent economist has said: letting this tax cut expire will be a blow to the economy. We can’t let that happen. Now is the time to make a real difference in the lives of the people who sent us here.

Check it out and pass it along:

http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/taxcut

Thanks,

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President

Later in the day, Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Development and Democracy at the White House, and Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, will be taking your questions on the global AIDS epidemic and what the Obama Administration is doing to bring it to an end.

• What: Open for Questions: The Beginning of the End of AIDS
• Who:  Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Development and Democracy at the White House, and Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
• When: Thursday, December 1 at 2:30 p.m. EST
• Where: Watch live at WhiteHouse.gov/live and submit your questions via Facebook, Twitter using the hashtag #WHChat or our webform.

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama encourage all Americans to send a message of Thanks From Everywhere in a message to the White House email list.  If you didn't get the email, be sure to sign up.

Every Thanksgiving, Barack sits down to call some of our troops and thank them for their service.

When he tells me about these conversations, it always reminds me of how blessed we are to live in a country where men and women will stand up to protect our freedoms and preserve our way of life.  And whenever I've had the chance to meet with these heroes and their families, I've always walked away inspired by their courage and in awe of their strength.

I can't think of any better way to spend Thanksgiving than letting our servicemembers know how grateful we are for everything that they do. So this year, we're making it easy to do just that.

We've partnered with the USO to create a program called Thanks From Everywhere. To get involved, simply visit JoiningForces.gov/Thanks and write a quick note that troops and veterans all over the world will be able to see.

Add your message to Thanks From Everywhere.

Your note will be added to a map with messages from people all over the country, showing our troops and their families just how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.

If we all do our part, we'll help to build a wave of support to honor our veterans and their families -- and ensure they get the recognition they deserve this holiday season.

At a time when we are sitting down to share the blessings we've received this past year, please take a moment to be a part of this effort to thank America's heroes and their families.

Send a message to Thanks From Everywhere today:

http://www.JoiningForces.gov/Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving,

Michelle Obama

Without a vote from Congress, taxes for nearly every American will go up on January 1, 2012. The American Jobs Act would expand existing tax cuts and put more money in your pocket. This morning, Vice President Joe Biden sent the email below to the White House email list, asking folks to check out our calculator to see how your own bottom line would be impacted. At 12:15 p.m. EDT today, President Obama will discuss the importance of the American Jobs Act and tax cuts for the middle class.  Watch live at WhiteHouse.gov/live.

If you didn't get the email, but sure to sign up for the White House email list.

I'll cut to the chase: If Congress doesn't act soon, middle-class Americans will see their taxes go up starting on January 1st, taking almost $1,000 out of the pockets of a typical family next year.

Last year, President Obama and members of both parties in Congress cut the payroll tax for 155 million workers, putting money in your pockets.  Now, that tax cut is expiring. So in September, the President and I proposed extending that tax cut and cutting your taxes even further: giving the typical family a $1,500 tax cut.  Steps like this won't just help families feel more secure in their budgets, it'll give them more money to spend at local businesses that will hire more people and make investments in new equipment too.

We thought the extension would win bipartisan support again. How could Republicans in Congress, some of whom have pledged not to raise taxes by a penny, oppose extending the same tax cuts they just passed? But after years of protecting expensive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, many Republicans now say we should let this middle-class tax cut expire.

There's a lot at stake here for you and your family, and the better folks understand how much more they may have to pay, the easier it will be to get Congress to do the right thing. We've put together a calculator to show how much of your money hangs in the balance.

Try it out.

Last week, we finally got some good news from Capitol Hill. Congress passed another measure from our American Jobs Act, creating tax credits for companies that hire veterans – and yesterday President Obama signed the bill into law.
But folks, as important as that is, it's not nearly enough.

There is not a single good reason – not one – why Congress should stop there. Just like that tax credit will help ensure returning service members can find a job, the American Jobs Act helps put Americans back to work by jump starting the private sector and creating an economy that’s built to last. Congress ought to pass the rest of our proposals, too.

And Congress should start with protecting your paycheck.

Let me lay out the facts: Today, because of our tax cuts, everyone who collects a paycheck contributes 4.2 percent of their wages in payroll taxes. But if Congress doesn't act, that tax will go up two percentage points, to 6.2 percent. That might not sound like much, but to an average family, that's a difference of almost $1,000 a year.

President Obama and I have proposed cutting the rate even further – down to 3.1 percent. That would give a tax cut to 160 million workers next year, providing a $1,500 cut to the typical middle class family.

We have 40 days for Congress to take action. That's 40 days for Republicans in Congress to do the right thing for the country – or 40 days before they force middle-class families to pay almost $1,000 more.

Take a minute to calculate what's at stake for you:

http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/jobsact/calculator

Sincerely,
Vice President Joe Biden
 

I want to make sure you heard a piece of news from Capitol Hill today.

This morning, Holly Petraeus, who has been leading an office at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect military families, went to Capitol Hill to highlight some of the most abusive practices our service members face in today's financial marketplace.
 
She explained that military families are the targets of predatory lenders. She talked about how many service members and their families struggle to make ends meet -- especially during deployments. And she said that the CFPB will help combat the lenders who try to take advantage of people with deceptive, unfair, and abusive lending practices.
 
But here's the thing: The Senate still hasn't confirmed President Obama's nominee to lead the CFPB, a former Attorney General from Ohio named Rich Cordray. The bureau needs a director to fully ensure that the debt collectors, private student loan providers, and payday loan providers are properly supervised and that consumers are not put at risk of falling prey to the same kinds of abusive practices that helped cause the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
 
Rich has spent his career advocating for middle class families, and enjoys broad, bipartisan support from the elected officials, business leaders, and consumer groups who have worked with him.

Take a minute to read what Holly had to say, and share her testimony with those you know.

Holly Petraeus is the daughter of a decorated general, wife of a four-star general, and mother of an Army soldier who served in Afghanistan.  I don't know if there's anyone who better understands what it means to be part of an American military family.

She just gets the stress and challenges that those who serve in uniform, as well as their loved ones, face.

And that's exactly why she joined the CFPB, to safeguard our military personnel and their families.
 
Republicans in Congress could be taking steps to grow the economy by passing the American Jobs Act. There is no reason why John Boehner should send his members home to their districts without passing a single measure President Obama has proposed to help put the country back on track. Nor is there any reason why the Senate should require 60 votes on these proposals. Republicans could be helping to ensure that every American family gets a tax cut. And Republicans should be working to protect consumers by confirming Rich Cordray.

We can't wait. That's why I want you to hear from Holly Petraeus. I want everyone to understand how much sense it makes for the Senate to put Rich Cordray to work.

So check it out.

Thanks,

Vice President Joe Biden
 
 

Watch the White House get a Halloween makeover here.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed area students and the children of military families to the White House for the annual Halloween celebration and trick-or-treating on Saturday night.

The President and First Lady handed out cookies, White House M&M's and dried fruit mix to trick-or-treaters at the North Portico of the White House. Check out these videos for the behind the scenes preparations and watch the main event with the President, Mrs Obama and all the costumed kids.

Watch President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hand out treats to area students and the children of military families here. 

The White House and the surrounding grounds were decorated in celebration of Halloween. As the trick-or-treaters made their way across the North Lawn to the North Portico they were entertained by the Marine Band playing Halloween music and spooked by in-costume actors from Washington-area theatres, brought together by theatreWashington.

Check out the White House Halloween recipes below.

The White House Sweet Dough Butter Cookie Recipe

1 lb Sugar                                                      1 tsp Vanilla
2 lbs Butter                                                    1 tsp Salt
3 Eggs                                                            3 lbs All Purpose Flour
                                                                       
Mix the butter and sugar till soft and well beaten. Then add eggs, vanilla, salt and half the flour. Beat on slow speed till mixed, then add the rest of the flour and mix until incorporated.

Push flat onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight. Roll out to one quarter inch thick and cut out cookie shapes with cookie cutter.

Bake at 350F for 14 minutes and then allow to cool. 

Make Your Own Dried Fruit Mix

Dried Apples                                                             Dried Pineapple
Dried Apricots                                                           Dried Papayas
Dried Pears                                                              Dried Cherries
Dried Blueberries                                                    Banana Chips

Combine ingredients and serve.

Download the recipes and make these treats yourself. (pdf)

Today, we launched We the People on WhiteHouse.gov– a new platform that gives all Americans a way to create and sign petitions on a range of issues affecting our nation.  And if a petition gathers enough online signatures, it will be reviewed by policy experts and you’ll receive an official response.

Throughout our history, Americans have used petitions as a way to join together around issues they care about.  We the People brings that uniquely American tradition into the 21^st century. 

Here’s how it works:

1.  Create or Sign a Petition:  Anyone 13 or older can create a WhiteHouse.gov account and create or sign a petition on WhiteHouse.gov asking the Obama Administration to take action on a range issues.
2. Build Support and Gather Signatures for your Petition: It’s up to you to build support for a petition. Use email, Facebook, Twitter and word of mouth to tell your friends, family and coworkers about the petitions you care about.
3. The White House Reviews and Responds:  If a petition reaches a certain threshold (initially 5,000 signatures within 30 days), it will be reviewed by policy officials in the Administration and an official response will be issued.

We put together a short video to walk you through We the People.  Check out the video here.

Got questions? Here are a few blog posts where we’ve been explaining more about how We the People works here and here or check out the FAQ’s for We the People. We’ve also updated our privacy policy with some more information about WhiteHouse.gov accounts.

Still have questions?  Send us your questions and feedback via Twitter using the hashtag #WHWeb or submit your feedback via our tech feedback webform.

Check out Serve.gov to find a service opportunity in your area.

Be sure to check out President Obama’s recent weekly address where he called on the American people to come together in the spirit of service and remembrance as we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  Even the smallest actions can demonstrate that our sense of common purpose is just as strong today as it was ten years ago. 

Throughout the week, Cabinet Secretaries have been sharing their reflections on the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  Take a look at their videos.

• Attorney General Eric Holder
• Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
• Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Eric Shinseki
• Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
   

Watch the President's speech in Detroit here.

Today, President Obama traveled to Detroit, Michigan where he spoke at a Labor Day picnic with workers at a GM plant. During his remarks, the President spoke of the important role the labor unions have played in establishing the “cornerstones of middle-class security:”

Work to make sure that folks get an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Work to make sure that families get a fair shake. The work you've done that helped build the greatest middle class the world has ever known. I’m talking about the work that got us a 40-hour workweek and weekends, and paid leave and pensions, and the minimum wage and health insurance, and Social Security and  Medicare -- the cornerstones of middle-class security. That's because of your work. 

If you want to know who helped lay these cornerstones of an American middle class you just have to look for the union label.

That’s the bedrock this country is built on. Hard work. Responsibility. Sacrifice. Looking out for one another. Giving everybody a shot, everybody a chance to share in America’s prosperity, from the factory floor to the boardroom. That’s what unions are all about. 

People wave as President Barack Obama addresses the Labor Day celebration in Detroit, Mich., Sept. 5, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

But over the past decade, the American middle class has felt their economic security slipping away. And the economic crisis has only made it more difficult for middle class families to get by. The President discussed the importance of restoring economic security for middle class Americans:

But I’m not satisfied just to get back to where we were before the recession; we’ve got to fully restore the middle class in America. And America cannot have a strong, growing economy without a strong, growing middle class and without a strong labor movement. 

That’s the central challenge that we face in our country today.  That’s at the core of why I ran for President. That’s what I’ve been fighting for since I’ve been President. Everything we’ve done, it’s been thinking about you. We said working folks deserved a break -- so within one month of me taking office, we signed into law the biggest middle-class tax cut in history, putting more money into your pockets. 

The President called on members of Congress to put country ahead of party to put Americans back to work:

So I’m going to propose ways to put America back to work that both parties can agree to, because I still believe both parties can work together to solve our problems. And given the urgency of this moment, given the hardship that many people are facing, folks have got to get together. 

But we’re not going to wait for them. We’re going to see if we’ve got some straight shooters in Congress.  We’re going to see if congressional Republicans will put country before party. We’ll give them a plan, and then we’ll say, do you want to create jobs?  Then put our construction workers back to work rebuilding America. Do you want to help our companies succeed? Open up new markets for them to sell their products.  You want -- you say you’re the party of tax cuts? Well then, prove you’ll fight just as hard for tax cuts for middle-class families as you do for oil companies and the most affluent Americans. Show us what you got. 

The time for Washington games is over. The time for action is now. No more manufactured crises. No more games. Now is not the time for the people you sent to Washington to worry about their jobs; now is the time for them to worry about your jobs. 

Rep. Gary Peters, left, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, center, and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka listen as President Barack Obama addresses the Labor Day celebration in Detroit, Mich., Sept. 5, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Today President Obama travelled to Wayne and Paterson, New Jersey to tour areas damaged by Hurricane Irene.  While visiting the Temple Street Bridge in Paterson, the President gave brief remarks reassuring the people of New Jersey and all those affected by Hurricane Irene that the federal, state and local governments would be there to help them rebuild after the devastating storm.  

The main message that I have for all the residents not only of New Jersey but all those communities that have been affected by flooding, by the destruction that occurred as a consequence of Hurricane Irene is that the entire country is behind you and we are going to make sure that we provide all the resources that are necessary in order to help these communities rebuild. 

And I know that there's been some talk about whether there's going to be a slowdown in getting funding out here, emergency relief.  As President of the United States, I want to make it very clear that we are going to meet our federal obligations -- because we're one country, and when one part of the country gets affected, whether it's a tornado in Joplin, Missouri, or a hurricane that affects the Eastern Seaboard, then we come together as one country and we make sure that everybody gets the help that they need.  And the last thing that the residents here of Paterson or the residents of Vermont or the residents of upstate New York need is Washington politics getting in the way of us making sure that we are doing what we can to help communities that have been badly affected.

So, again, I want to thank federal, state, local officials who have been working around the clock to respond to this crisis. We know it could have been worse but we should not underestimate the heartache that's going through a lot of these communities and affecting a lot of these families.  And we want to make sure that we're there to help, and I'm going to make sure that even after the cameras are gone and attention is somewhere else that FEMA and federal officials continue to work with our local officials to make sure we're doing the right thing.

President Barack Obama talks with residents in a neighborhood hit with flooding from Hurricane Irene in Wayne, N.J., Sept. 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Barack Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie look at the swollen Passaic River from the Main Street Bridge in Paterson, N.J., Sept. 4,, 2011.(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Yesterday, we announced that we’ll be rolling out a cool new tool on WhiteHouse.gov that will change the way you engage with the Obama Administration.  It’s called We the People and it’s a platform for all Americans to create and sign petitions asking the Obama Administration to take action on a range of issues.

Since we announced that this new tool is coming soon to WhiteHouse.gov, we’ve gotten a lot of great questions and feedback, so we thought we’d take a stab at answering a few of the common questions we’ve gotten so far. In case you missed it, Macon Phillips, Director of Digital Strategy here at the White House, was fielding questions on Twitter yesterday and you can check out some of the questions and answers on Storify.

And don’t forget to sign up to be the first to know when We the People is live.

How will the White House decide which petitions to respond to?
The initial threshold for a petition to be reviewed by the White House and get a response is 5,000 signatures in 30 days.

Who will be reviewing and responding to petitions?
Petitions that meet the signature threshold will be reviewed by a standing group of White House staff, routed to any other appropriate offices and generate an official, on-the-record response. Most of the time, a response will come from a policy official at the White House or at a federal agency. From time to time, President Obama may also respond to petitions as well. 

It’s our goal to respond to petitions that cross the signature threshold (initially 5,000 signatures) in as timely a manner as possible, but in some cases it may take a few weeks for us to respond.

Will the signature thresholds ever change?
This is the first time we’ve tried something like this, so we may find that we need to adjust the signature thresholds for petitions to receive a response from the White House as people start to use the tool.  If we do change the signature thresholds at any point, we’ll announce the changes publicly on the site, and any changes to signature thresholds will only apply to petitions created after we made the change.

Initially, a petition must receive 150 signatures in order to be publicly searchable on the We the People site and 5,000 signatures within 30 days in order to get a response from the White House.

When we We the People launch?
We the People will launch very soon, so start thinking about the issues that matter to you and who you’ll ask to join you.  And don’t forget to sign up to be the first to know when it is live.

Who can create or sign petitions? 
Anyone over the age of 13 can create or sign a petition through We the People.  In order to participate, users must verify their email address and create an account on WhiteHouse.gov.

Got more questions? Use the twitter hashtag #WHWeb to give the White House digital team advice and feedback or submit your feedback here.

If you're a federal employee, we want to hear from you!  Submit your cost saving ideas or tell us what you think of ideas submitted by your colleagues.  Get Started at WhiteHouse.gov/Save-Award.

There are just a few days left to submit your ideas for the 2011 SAVE Award.

So far more than 9,000 ideas for cutting wasteful spending have been submitted and 12,000 federal employees have weighed in. Have you submitted an idea yet?

If you haven’t already, you can get started by visiting WhiteHouse.gov/Save-Award.

We know that federal employees understand how the federal government works, and how we can make government more efficient to save taxpayer money.

That’s why President Obama started the SAVE Award back in 2009 – to harness the unique knowledge of federal employees to cut wasteful spending.

Your ideas from last year’s contest are already making a difference – from stopping the overnight, express delivery of empty containers to ending the printing and shipping of thousands of Federal Register volumes that could be read online.

As one of the federal employees who has participated in the SAVE Award in previous years, we need your help again. Will you take a few minutes today to submit your ideas, then let your co-workers know about the SAVE Award as well?

Let’s show the American people that the Federal government treats their tax dollars with the same amount of care and attention that they take with their own household budgets.

Sincerely,

William M. Daley
White House Chief of Staff
 

Watch the speech live tonight at WhiteHouse.gov/live and engage with Administration Officials all week. 

Starting tomorrow, White House Administration Officials will hold "Office Hours" on our social networks to answer your questions about the President’s speech and the ongoing deficit debate. Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and Special Assistant to the President, will be answering your questions on Twitter tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Ask your questions with the hashtag #WHChat and stay tuned for opportunities to engage throughout week.

President Barack Obama signs the certification stating the statutory requirements for repeal of DADT (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) have been met, in the Oval Office, July 22, 2011. Pictured, from left, are: Brian Bond, Deputy Director of Public Liaison; Kathleen Hartnett, Associate Counsel to the President; Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; Kathryn Ruemmler, Counsel to the President; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen; and Vice President Joe Biden. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, President Obama signed a certification ending the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for good beginning September 20, 2011. The President signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" into law last December.

The President sent the email below to individuals and organizations who worked hard to make this victory possible. 

Last year, I visited Afghanistan. I was there to thank our men and women in uniform, the brave Americans who have given so much on behalf of this country and who make me so proud to be Commander-in-Chief.  At one of America’s bases there, I was shaking hands and taking pictures, walking along a pretty tight crowd of service members.  A young woman in uniform pulled me into a hug.  She leaned in close so I could hear her over the noise and whispered, “Get ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ done.”

I said to her, “I promise you I will.”

A few weeks later, after a struggle that lasted almost two decades, I signed a law to repeal this policy.  I signed it with absolute confidence in our men and women in uniform, in their professionalism and in their capacity to adapt to this change, just as they have adapted and grown stronger with other changes throughout our history.  And I signed this repeal knowing that our military would be stronger – and our nation safer – for the service of patriotic gay men and women who would no longer have to live a lie in order to defend the country they love.

Today, in accordance with this law, I signed the certification that will end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” once and for all.  The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also have certified that the military is ready for the repeal.  Sixty days from now, on September 20th, the repeal will be complete and gay men and women will be able to serve their country openly.

On that day, I’ll be thinking of the young woman I met in Afghanistan.  And I’ll be thinking of the countless others like her, straight and gay alike, who love this nation and the ideals for which it was founded, and who have signed up to serve so that we might all live in freedom and uphold this simple creed: we are all created equal.

Thank you for helping to make this victory for our country possible.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Read my statement on the Certification of Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
 

This groundbreaking law does three important things. First, it brings to an end taxpayer funded bailouts -- so taxpayers will never again be left paying the bill if a big bank fails. Second, it stops the reckless risk-taking by Wall Street that put consumers in jeopardy and led to the economic crisis. And third, this law puts in place the strongest consumer protections in history.

Check out a quick video we put together last year to explain it here.

President Barack Obama responds to a question during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on the status of efforts to find a balanced approach to the debt limit and deficit reduction, July 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Today, President Obama hosted a news conference at the White House to discuss the status of efforts to find a balanced approach on deficit reduction.  Over the weekend, the President and Vice President met with Congressional leadership at the White House as part of the ongoing negotiations. 

During his remarks, the President encouraged members of Congress on both sides to work together to solve our long term deficit problems now, rather than finding short term solutions:

I will not sign a 30-day or a 60-day or a 90-day extension.  That is just not an acceptable approach.  And if we think it’s going to be hard -- if we think it’s hard now, imagine how these guys are going to be thinking six months from now in the middle of election season where they’re all up.  It’s not going to get easier.  It’s going to get harder.  So we might as well do it now -- pull off the Band-Aid; eat our peas.  (Laughter.)  Now is the time to do it.  If not now, when? 

We keep on talking about this stuff and we have these high-minded pronouncements about how we've got to get control of the deficit and how we owe it to our children and our grandchildren. Well, let's step up.  Let's do it.  I'm prepared to do it.  I'm prepared to take on significant heat from my party to get something done.  And I expect the other side should be willing to do the same thing -- if they mean what they say that this is important.

Check out the video of the President’s press conference or use the jump links to skip to the answers to questions you’re most interested in.

The questions below are paraphrased from the questions asked by reporters during the news conference:

• What is your plan if Republicans continue to oppose any tax increases? If Congress passed a short-term, stop-gap measure would you veto it?
• Do you see any path to a deal if Republicans don't budge on taxes?
• The latest CBS News poll showed that only 24 percent of Americans said you should raise the debt limit to avoid an economic catastrophe and 69 percent oppose raising the debt limit. Isn’t the problem that you and others have failed to convince the American people that we have a crisis, and how are you going to change that?
• Do you think Speaker Boehner will come back to the $4 trillion deal?
• In the $4 trillion deal, it seems to be now at about four-to-one spending to taxes. Why are we at that level? Can you clarify your Social Security position -- would any of the money from Social Security go toward the deficit as opposed to back into the trust fund?
• With unemployment now at 9.2 percent and a large chunk of those lost jobs coming from the private sector, is now a really good time to cut trillions of dollars in spending? How will we still create jobs? What do you say to members of your own party who say it doesn’t contribute to the deficit?
• Have you worked with new U.S. business leaders at all to lobby Congress to raise the debt ceiling? And if so, who are you talking to?
• As the clock ticks down, is the administration working on any sort of contingency plans if things don’t happen by August?
• You said that the Speaker faces tough politics in his caucus. Do you have complete confidence that he can deliver the votes on anything that he agrees to? Is he in control of his caucus?
• Your confidence in Speaker Boehner wasn’t shaken by him walking away from the big deal he said he wanted?
• What say you about Congressman Chaka Fattah’s bill, the Debt Free America Act? Do you support that bill? Are you supporting the Republican bill that is similar to his, modeled after Congressman Fattah’s bill?

In case you missed it, be sure to check out this special edition of West Wing Week here.

Earlier today President Obama sent an email to organizations and individuals in the United States and in Sudan who worked along the South Sudanese people to make this day possible.  You can read the email below and check out the President's statement on recognition of South Sudan.

Dear Friend,

Today, the American people welcome the birth of a new nation. After decades of war and the loss of millions of lives, Southern Sudanese are rejoicing in their newfound independence. And as President, I am honored to formally recognize the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign and independent nation.  

Many people made this day possible, first and foremost, the people of South Sudan who have endured extraordinary hardship and sacrifices to determine their own destiny.

But today is also a validation of the hard work by all of you -- extraordinary organizations and individuals who have devoted yourselves to the cause of security, dignity and justice for all the Sudanese people. So I wanted you to be among the first to see my message recognizing the world's newest nation.

For many years, you've shined a spotlight on suffering and demanded that the world never forget Sudan and its people.

You have insisted that the Sudanese people remain a priority, and when the prospect of a successful referendum was in doubt, you joined with my Administration and the international community to rally support for self-determination.

Together, we have been able to support the Sudanese people as they achieved progress that many thought was impossible. Your efforts have helped to save countless lives and give hope to people who have known too much suffering. Now, the people of South Sudan have the opportunity to realize a future where their lives are valued and their human rights are upheld.

There are many difficult days still ahead. But today, I want you to know that I and my Administration will continue to stand up for the Sudanese people and the future they deserve. And in partnership with you and your dedicated organizations, I'm confident that we can continue to save innocent lives and show the profound difference that American leadership can make in our world.  

Sincerely,
Barack Obama

Read my statement on the recognition of the Republic of South Sudan.

Watch President Obama's Twitter Town Hall here.

• @whitehouse: in order to reduce the deficit, what costs would you cut and what investments would you keep – bo
• @Conblog: @DrewHampshire: What mistakes have you made in handling this recession and what would you do differently? #askObama
• @dmscott: #AskObamaTech & knowledge industries are thriving, yet jobs discussion always centers on manufacturing. Why not be realistic about jobs?
• @dwhite105: Higher ed. is necessary for a stronger economy, but for some middle class Americans it's becoming too expensive. What can be done? #askobama
• @_RenegadeNerd_: #AskObama Mr. President, will you issue an executive order to raise the debt ceiling pursuant to section 4 of the 14th amendment?
• @ensina: Immigrant entrepreneurs can build companies and create jobs for US workers. Will you support a startup visa program? #askobama
• @awg9988: @KimQuillenTPWill you focus on promoting alternative energy industries in oil states like Louisiana and Texas? #townhall
• @pmglynn: Mr. President, In several states we have seen people lose their collective bargaining rights. Do you have a plan to rectify this? #AskObama
• @robinmarty: @Kara_McGuireHow will admin work to help underwater homeowners who aren't behind in payments but are trapped in homes they can't sell?
• @johnboehner: After embarking on a record spending binge that’s left us deeper in debt, where are the jobs? #AskObama
• @nealhannon: Small biz create jobs. What incentives are you willing to support to improve small biz growth? #AskObama
• @craigoc34: @whitehouse@townhall My question is can you give companies a tax break if they hire a Honorable discharged Veteran?
• @NickKristof: #AskObamaWas it a mistake to fail to get Republicans to commit to raise the debt ceiling, at the same time tax cuts were extended?
• @almorrison88: #askobamaWhat changes to the tax system do you think are necessary to help solve the deficit problem and for the system to be fair?
• @Shnaps: Is free-market an option? RT @whitehouse: Obama on homeowners underwater: Have made some progress, but+ needed, looking at options #askObama
• @pedsnursemarcia: @AssignmentDesk1#AskObamaPublic Edu here in CA falling apart. Not grad enough skilled workers or smart citizens. Privitization looming?
• @flynnbw: @WhiteHouseWe definitely need to get more vets into jobs. But when are we going to support the troops by cutting oil dependence? #AskObama
• @ModeledBehavior: So will you raise taxes on the middle class at least to W Bush levels @askObama@townhall
• @Ronargus: @whitehouse Now that the space shuttle is gone where does America stand in space exploration?
• @BrianJMcKeon: @whitehouse Cut defense contracting. End war on drugs. Eliminate agribiz and big oil subsidies. Invest in public campaign financing.
• @ElizaCait: @whitehouse Stop giving money to countries that waste it (Pakistan) Keep military (share the wealth between branches), don't cut education.
• @DannyJedski: @whitehouse we need to raise taxes - period.
• @tammyvent: @whitehouse cut military spending and oil subsidies and keep education investments. #askobama
• @MostlyModerate: @whitehouse Cut subsidies to industries which are no longer in crisis or are unsuccessful: Cotton Oil Corn subsidies for ethanol
• @gsxr7501: @whitehouse I'd cut costs by cutting some welfare programs! People will never try harder when they are handed everything!

Members of the audience compose Tweets during President Barack Obama's Twitter Town Hall in the East Room of the White House, July 6, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Watch the President tweet here.

Today, President Obama participated in the first ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House, answering questions from Americans across the country submitted on Twitter using the #AskObama hashtag.

The President kicked off the event with a tweet asking the American public for their ideas on reducing the deficit.

Here’s a few things you can do right now:

• Operation Honor Card. You can get involved right now through Operation Honor Card – an effort to encourage Americans to support our military families by participating in service projects to serve those who serve us. At HonorCards.org, you can pledge hours of community service, find service projects in your area, and track your progress. 
• Send a Message of Thanks. A simple act of kindness can mean so much. Say thanks to a military family today.
• Share Your Story of Support. How are you serving our nation’s military families? Tell us your story.
• Stay Connected.  There are plenty of ways to stay connected with Joining Forces.  You can sign up for email updates, like Joining Forces on Facebook, or follow @JoiningForces on Twitter.

Watch the President's full remarks here.

This morning, President Obama and Vice President Biden travelled to the Pentagon to attend the Armed Services farewell tribute in honor of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, one of the longest serving Secretaries of Defense in U.S. history. The President also presented Secretary Gates with the Medal of Freedom – the highest honor the President can bestow on a civilian.

During his remarks at the ceremony, President Obama reflected on Secretary Gates long history of public service – serving under eight different Presidents – and on his commitment to serving our troops as well as they serve us:

Bob, today you’re not only one of the longest-serving Secretaries of Defense in American history, but it is also clear that you’ve been one of the best.

Why did Bob Gates serve?  Our nation is at war, and to know Bob is to know his profound sense of duty -- to country, to our security, and most of all, to our men and women who get up every day and put on America’s uniform and put their lives on the line to keep us safe and to keep us free. 

When the outcome of the war in Iraq was in doubt, Bob Gates presided over the extraordinary efforts that helped restore order.  Over the past two and a half years, we've removed more than 100,000 troops from Iraq, ended our combat mission and are responsibly ending that war.

When the fight against al Qaeda and our efforts in Afghanistan needed new focus, Bob Gates helped us devise the strategy that has finally put al Qaeda on a path to defeat and ensures that Afghanistan never again becomes a source for attacks against our nation.

When institutional inertia kept funding systems our troops didn’t need, Bob Gates launched a war on waste -- challenging conventional wisdom with courage and conviction, speaking hard truths and saving hundreds of billions of dollars that can be invested in a 21st century military.

Bob Gates made it his mission to make sure this department is serving our troops in the field as well as they serve us.  And today we see the lifesaving difference he made -- in the mine-resistant vehicles and the unmanned aircraft, the shorter medevac times in Afghanistan, in our determination to give our wounded warriors the world-class care they deserve. 

Bob, this may be your greatest legacy of all -- the lives you saved and the confidence you gave our men and woman in battle who knew that there was a Secretary of Defense who had their backs and who loved them and who fought for them and who did everything in his power to bring them home safe. 

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and President Barack Obama salute as the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps march past during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Secretary Gates at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, June 30, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

President Barack Obama presents Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Secretary Gates at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., June 30, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)