Michael Mullen Quotes

To Soldiers' Angels Gala, Washington, D.C., 6 November 2008 http://www.jcs.mil/chairman/speeches/06NOV08-CJCS-SoldiersAngels.pdf, CJCS.
Context: If you listen closely to the voices of our veterans, you understand that yes, they all returned from war changed, but what never changed is this: They never forgot your generosity. They never forgot the power of opportunity. They never forgot the American dream. They want a job; they want their kids to go to school; they’d like an education, a career, a home. They want to make a difference. It is vital for communities throughout the land to be able to join up – in concert with DOD, VA – so that this dream is still possible for them – for those that sacrificed so much. But it goes far beyond what government can do. We must share the burdens of this war – now the longest conflict this nation has faced with an all-volunteer force since the American Revolution. I am convinced that America’s great sea of goodwill can be, in fact, a rising tide … a tide that could lift every veteran and every family of our wounded and fallen.

Congressional testimony on repealing DADT, 2 February 2010
Context: Mr. Chairman, speaking for myself and myself only, it is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy that forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.

On attacking Iran, Washington, D.C., July 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8139655.stm

From Op-Ed "Memorial Day" (26 May 2008)

On NATO in Afghanistan, Washington, D.C., 11 September 2008 http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/09/2008910163836871959.html.

USNA Commencement Address in Annapolis, MD (23 May 2008) http://www.jcs.mil/chairman/speeches/USNACommencementAddress2008.html