It’s Taco Tuesday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 09/05/2023:
| 10:00 AM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White HouseIn-Town Pool |
| 11:00 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval OfficeClosed Press |
| 1:00 PM Press Briefing | Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan James S. Brady Press Briefing Room |
| 3:30 PM Medal of Honor Reward Ceremony | The President awards the Medal of Honor to Captain Larry L. Taylor, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry East Room |
Press briefing with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan @ 1:00 p.m. D.C., time.
The White House posted…
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to Award the Medal of Honor (09/01/2023):
On September 5, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., will award the Medal of Honor to Captain Larry L. Taylor, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry.
On June 18, 1968, near the hamlet of Ap Go Cong, Republic of Vietnam, then-First Lieutenant Taylor was serving as a team leader of a helicopter light-fire team deployed in support of a long-range reconnaissance patrol that had been surrounded by an enemy force. First Lieutenant Taylor and his wingman arrived at the contact site and, once overhead, Taylor radioed the patrol team and asked the four Soldiers to mark their location with flares. Using the illumination as a reference point, he and his wingman strafed the enemy with mini-guns and aerial rockets. Braving intense ground fire, the two Cobra gunships continued to make low-level attack runs for the next 45 minutes.With both helicopters nearly out of ammunition and the enemy still closing in, Taylor reconnoitered the escape route the team intended to take. Returning to the patrol team’s location, Taylor learned that a plan to rescue the Soldiers with a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter had been canceled because it stood almost no chance of success. Running low on fuel, with the patrol team nearly out of ammunition, Taylor decided to extract the team using his two-man Cobra helicopter, a feat that had never been accomplished or even attempted.
He directed his wingman to fire his remaining mini-gun rounds along the eastern flank of the patrol team and then return to base camp. Taylor fired his own remaining mini-gun rounds along the team’s western flank, using his Cobra’s landing lights to draw the enemy’s attention while the patrol team headed southeast toward a nearby extraction point Taylor had designated.
When the team reached the site, Taylor landed his Cobra under heavy enemy fire and with complete disregard for his personal safety. The patrol team climbed aboard, grabbing on to rocket-pods and skids, and Taylor carried them to a safe location before landing them back on the ground.
Taylor’s conspicuous gallantry, his profound concern for his fellow Soldiers, and his intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND:
Captain Taylor was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. On June 5, 1966, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, and entered the Regular Army on August 14, 1966. He received training at the U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School, Fort Wolters, Texas. On June 30, 1967, he qualified as an Army Aviator. He later served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot from August 1967 to August 1968. Other military decorations include multiple awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. He was honorably released from active duty on August 31, 1970, having attained the rank of Captain, and was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve on October 17, 1973.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE MEDAL OF HONOR:
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while:
- engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
White House.gov. 09/01/2023.
President Biden Awards the Medal of Honor to Captain Larry L. Taylor, for Conspicuous Gallantry @3:30 p.m. D.C., time:
FYI…
It was announced late Monday that the First Lady had tested positive for COVID-19…
Statement from the First Lady’s Communications Director Elizabeth Alexander:
This evening, the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19. She is currently experiencing only mild symptoms. She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
White House.gov. 09/04/2023.
Following her positive test the President was tested and that test was negative…
Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:
Following the First Lady’s positive test for COVID-19, President Biden was administered a COVID test this evening. The President tested negative. The President will test at a regular cadence this week and monitor for symptoms.
White House.gov. 09/04/2023.
It means that for the next 5 to 10 days, President Biden’s schedule is subject to change…
Labor Day Tweets
From Monday…
Remarks by President Biden Celebrating Labor Day and Honoring America’s Workers and Unions; the YouTube is 1 hour and 7 seconds long. President Biden begins 38 minute and 9 second mark.
Look, I’m proud of the historic legislation my administration passed, a lot of which wouldn’t have happened without — and so much of it affects you — without you. We passed the PACT Act, one of the most significant laws ever signed for veterans exposed to toxic metals and their families. (Applause.)
[snip]
Folks, we’ve taken the right steps not only to get our economy moving again, but to build to the future. And the real hero in this story is you. I’m not being solicitous.
The American people, the people of Philadelphia, the working people of this country — you’re the ones getting up every day, walking out that door, and doing your work. And I’ve long said it’s never, ever, ever been a good bet to bet against America. (Applause.) And it’s not a good bet today.
White House.gov. 09/04/2023.
From Tuesday…
The video clip is 1 minute and 9 seconds long.
I told you when I ran for president that I’d — I told you I’d have your back. And I have. (Applause.)
You know, there are a lot of politicians in this country who don’t know how to say the word “union.” They talk about labor, but they don’t say “union.” It’s “union.” I’m one of the — I’m proud to say “union.” I’m proud to be the most pro-union president, according to the experts about — in American history. And that’s — (applause). And by the way, I make no bones about that.
Folks, on this Labor Day, let me tell you what we’re celebrating. We’re celebrating jobs — good-paying jobs, jobs you can raise a family on, union jobs. (Applause.)
You’ve heard me say it before, but my dad used to have an expression — I swear to God — he’d say, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. For real. It’s about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay,’ and mean it when you say it.”
And he was right. And I’m determined to make that a reality for every family in this country.
And we are making it a reality. Nearly 13 million 500 thousand jobs just since you got me sworn in in — in January of
White House.gov. 09/04/2023.2020[2021]. (Applause.) Eight hundred thousand new manufacturing jobs. (Applause.)
“Bidenomics” Tweet
From Tuesday…
Remarks by President Biden on Lowering Healthcare Costs
The Inflation Reduction Act is already making a huge difference. Take insulin, as referenced by Steven. It costs — that drug costs $10 to make. The guy who invented the drug — who came up with it didn’t patent it because he wanted it available for everybody. But drug companies are charging 30 times that $10 or more than that.
Now, because of the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors on Medicare, like Steve, are paying $35 a month instead of $400 a month. (Applause.) It matters.
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
On 08/29/2023, the White House announced the first 10 drugs selected for Medicare Price Negotiation…
The White House posted…
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces First Ten Drugs Selected for Medicare Price Negotiation (08/29/2023).
“Bidenomics” =’s
- American Rescue Plan (03/11/2021).
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Act (11/15/2021).
- Inflation Reduction Act (08/16/2022).
- CHIPS and Science Act (08/09/2022).
This is an Open Thread.
