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us directly or our allies and partners. But it also The President. Well, I think that just as is going to require some long-term strategies as Iraq’s leaders have to make decisions, I think well. Iran has heard from us. We’ve indicated to Because part of what we’ve with respect to them that it is important for them to avoid ISIL is a broader trend that I talked about at steps that might encourage the kind of sectari- West Point: a—rather than a single network, a an splits that might lead to civil war. discreet network of terrorists, this fluid combi- And the one thing that I think is—has to be nation of hardened terrorists, disaffected local emphasized, we have deep differences with leadership. And where there’s vacuums, Iran across the board on a whole host of issues. they’re filling it and creating the potential for Obviously, what’s happened in Syria in part is serious danger for all concerned. the result of Iran coming in hot and heavy on So, all right? Thank you very much. one side. And Iran obviously should consider the fact that if it is—its view of the region is Iran’s Role in Iraq and the Middle East solely through sectarian frames, they could find themselves fighting in a whole lot of plac- Q. What about Iran, Mr. President? What es. And that’s probably not good for the Irani- about Iran, Mr. President? Any words on what an economy or the Iranian people over the you’re willing to do—— long term either. I suspect there are folks in The President. With respect—— Iran who recognize that. A Iraq in chaos on Q. ——and are you also willing to work with their borders is probably not in their interests. them? But old habits die hard, and we’ll have to see The President. Our view is that Iran can play whether they can take what I think would be a a constructive role if it is helping to send the more promising path over the next several same message to the Iraqi Government that days. All right? we’re sending, which is that Iraq only holds to- Thank you very much, everybody. gether if it’s inclusive and that—if the interests of Sunni, Shia, and Kurd are all respected. If NOTE: The President spoke at 1:32 p.m. in the Iran is coming in solely as an armed force on James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the behalf of the Shia, and if it is framed in that White House. In his remarks, he referred to fashion, then that probably worsens the situa- President Bashar al-Asad of Syria; and Speaker tion and the prospect for government forma- of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Usama tion that would actually be constructive over Abdul Aziz Al-Najafi. He also referred to the the long term. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) ter- Q. What’s your sense of that right now? rorist organization.

Remarks on Presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal William Kyle Carpenter June 19, 2014

Thank you, everybody. Please be seated. On out in every direction. And even at a distance, behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the that spray of shrapnel can inflict devastating in- White House. juries on the human body. Up close, it’s almost The man you see before you today, Corporal certain death. William Kyle Carpenter, should not be alive But we are here because this man, this Unit- today. Hand grenades are one of the most aw- ed States marine, faced down that terrible ex- ful weapons of war. They only weigh about a plosive power, that unforgiving force, with his pound, but they’re packed with TNT. If one own body—willingly and deliberately—to pro- lands nearby, you have mere seconds to seek tect a fellow marine. When that grenade ex- cover. When it detonates, its fragments shoot ploded, Kyle Carpenter’s body took the brunt

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of the blast. His injuries were called “cata- that in front of mom. [Laughter] But there’s a strophic.” It seemed as if he was going to die. quote there. While being treated, he went into cardiac ar- In addition to our many distinguished rest, and three times, he flatlined. Three times, guests, I want to welcome those who made this doctors brought him back. man the marine that he is: Kyle’s father Jim, Along with his parents, who call Kyle’s sur- Kyle’s lovely mom Robin, and his brothers vival “our miracle,” we thank God they did. Be- Price and Peyton, one of whom is going to be cause with that singular act of courage, Kyle, joining Kyle at South Carolina, another Game- you not only saved your brother-in-arms, you cock, and then we’ve got one who’s going to be displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that at the Citadel. We also have Kyle’s Marine will inspire for generations, valor worthy of our brothers who served with him in Afghanistan Nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal and through his recovery. And I also want to of Honor. welcome the members of the Medal of Honor Now, Kyle and I have actually met before. Society, whose ranks Kyle joins today. During his long recovery at Walter Reed, he Kyle and his fellow Marines served during and some of our other wounded warriors came the surge of forces that I ordered to Afghani- to the White House to celebrate the World Se- stan early in my Presidency. Their mission was ries Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Some of to drive the Taliban out of their strongholds, you may be aware, I am a White Sox fan. protect the Afghan people, and give them a [Laughter] Kyle likes the Braves. So it was a chance to reclaim their communities. tough day for both of us. [Laughter] Kyle and his platoon were in Helmand Prov- But after the ceremony, Michelle and I had ince in Marja, pushing their way across open the chance to meet Kyle. And at the time, he fields and muddy canals, bearing their heavy was still undergoing surgeries. But he was up, packs even as it could heat up to 115 degrees. and he was walking, and he was working his In one small village, they turned a dusty com- way toward being independent again, towards pound into their base. The insurgents nearby the man you see here today. And, Kyle, the gave their answer with sniper fire and automat- main message we want to send is, welcome ic weapon fire and rocket-propelled grenades. back. We are so proud to have you here. And that morning, Kyle said, “our alarm We just spent some time not just with Kyle, clock was AK–47 fire.” Some of the men were but also with his wonderful family. And any- by their bunks, gearing up for another day. body who has had a chance to get to know this Some were heating up their MREs. Some were young man knows you’re not going to get a bet- in makeshift ops centers—a simple mud build- ter example of what you want in an American ing—planning the day’s patrols. And up on the or a marine. Despite all the attention, he’s still roof, behind a circle of sandbags, two marines the same humble guy from Gilbert, South Car- manned their posts: Kyle and Lance Corporal olina, population of about 600; I guess today Nicholas Eufrazio. it’s only population 590-something. [Laughter] The compound started to take fire. Seeking These days he’s also at the University of cover, Kyle and Nick laid down low on their South Carolina, “just a normal college stu- backs behind those sandbags. And then, the dent,” he says, cheering for the Gamecocks. grenade landed with a thud, its pin already You’ll notice that Kyle doesn’t hide his scars; pulled. It was about to explode. he’s proud of them and the service that they And Kyle has no memory of what happened represent. And now, he tells me this, and so next. What we do know is that there on that I’m just quoting him. He says, “The girls defi- rooftop, he wasn’t just with a fellow marine, he nitely like them.” [Laughter] So he’s kind of— was with his best friend. Kyle and Nick had he’s working an angle on this thing. [Laughter] met in training. In Afghanistan, they patrolled I wasn’t sure whether I was supposed to say together, day and night, a friendship forged in fire. Kyle says about Nick, “He was my point man, and I loved him like a brother.”

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When the grenade landed, other marines in from today’s wars are alive not just because of the compound looked up and saw it happen. remarkable advances in technology, but pri- Kyle tried to stand. He lunged forward toward marily because of the extraordinary dedication that grenade, and then he disappeared into the and skill of our military and our VA medical blast. Keep in mind, at the time, Kyle was just professionals. 21 years old. But in that instant, he fulfilled So we need to keep doing everything we can those words of Scripture: “Greater love hath in our power to give our wounded warriors and no man than this; that a man lay down his life those who treat them the support that they for his friends.” need. And I think this is a wonderful opportu- They found Kyle lying face down, directly nity to ask doctors Debra Malone and Lauren over the blast area. His helmet was riddled Greer and the rest of Kyle’s medical team who with holes. His gear was melted. Part of his are here to please stand. I see their amazing Kevlar vest was blown away. One of the doc- work every time I visit Bethesda, every time I tors who treated him later said Kyle was “liter- visited Walter Reed. It’s pretty rare where ally wounded from the top of his head to his you’ve got a job where you just know you’re feet.” doing God’s work every single day. And they And for a moment, Kyle was still conscious. do an incredible job, so thank you. [Applause] His eyes were open, but he couldn’t see. Kyle Thank you. Thank you for the miracles you remembers, “Everything went white.” And yet, work for our wounded troops and veterans. even then, his thoughts were not of himself. Now, Kyle says he’ll wear this medal for all One of the marines who was there remembers who serve and for those who didn’t make it how Kyle kept asking one question, and that back and for those who struggle still. So today was whether Nick was okay. And then, as we also honor two members of his team who Kyle’s strength drained away, he sensed the made the ultimate sacrifice in that deploy- end was coming. So according to Kyle’s memo- ment: Kyle’s friends Lance Corporal Timothy ries: “My last thought [was to] make peace with M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Lance God. I asked for His forgiveness. I was trying Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Lou- to make the best and most of my last few sec- isiana. onds here on Earth.” And our thoughts are also with the marine The Medal of Honor is presented for gal- who Kyle saved that day, his brother, Nick. I lantry on the battlefield. But today we also rec- had the opportunity to meet Nick as well near- ognize Kyle Carpenter for his valor since, in ly 2 years after the blast on one of my visits to the hard fight for recovery. Eventually, Kyle Walter Reed. Nick also suffered grievous woke up after 5 weeks in a coma. I want you to wounds. As a result of traumatic brain injury, consider what Kyle has endured just to stand he couldn’t speak for more than a year. He also here today: more than 2½ years in the hospital, endured multiple surgeries. Today, his recov- grueling rehabilitation, brain surgery to re- ery continues. He lives at home with his family move shrapnel from his head, nearly 40 surger- in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he is ies to repair a collapsed lung, fractured fingers, watching this ceremony. So, Nick, on behalf of a shattered right arm broken in more than 30 all of us, I want you to know we honor your places, multiple skin grafts. He has a new pros- sacrifice as well. Your perseverance is an inspi- thetic eye, a new jaw, new teeth—and one hell ration. And just as Kyle was there for you, our of a smile. [Laughter] Nation will be there for you and your family as And Kyle is the first to give credit else- you grow stronger in the years ahead. where. His doctors at Bethesda, he says, “put If any of our wounded warriors seek an ex- me back together well.” Today is also a re- ample—let me amend that—if any American minder that in past wars, somebody with inju- seeks a model of the strength and resilience ries as severe as Kyle’s probably wouldn’t have that define us as a people, including this newest survived. So many of our wounded warriors 9/11 generation, I want you to consider Kyle.

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After everything he’s been through, he skis, he bless and keep strong the United States of snowboards, he’s jumped from a plane, with a America. Semper Fi. parachute, thankfully. [Laughter] He trudged through a 6-mile Mud Run, completed the Ma- [At this point, Lt. Cmdr. Timothy J. Myers, rine Corps Marathon, says he wants to do a tri- USN, Navy Aide to the President, read the cita- athlon. He’s a motivational speaker, an advo- tion. The President then presented the medal, cate for his fellow wounded warriors. He’s assisted by Maj. Steven M. Schreiber, USMC, thinking about majoring in psychology so he Marine Corps Aide to the President. Following can use his own experiences to help others. He the presentation, Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kib- got stellar grades. And by the way, he’s only 24 ben, USN, Chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps, years old and says, “I am just getting started.” said a prayer.] In other words, Kyle is a shining example of what our Nation needs to encourage: these vet- Well, that brings us to the conclusion of this erans who come home and then use their in- ceremony, but not the reception and party. credible skills and talents to keep our country And so I want to thank everybody again for be- strong. And we can all learn from Kyle’s exam- ing here, especially Kyle’s wonderful family ple. and his parents. And I understand that the As we prepare for the reading of the cita- food here at the White House is pretty good— tion, I’d like to close with his own words, a [laughter]—so I already told Kyle’s brothers message, I think, for every American: “It took a that they should be chowing down. But that life-changing event to get me to truly appreci- goes for everybody else as well. And I think the ate the precious and amazing life I have been drinks are free. I don’t know what—although blessed with. Please take it from me, enjoy ev- it’s still early in the afternoon. All right? ery day to the fullest, don’t take life too seri- Thank you very much, everybody. Let’s ously, always try to make it count, appreciate big—give one more round of applause to our the small and simple things, be kind and help latest Medal of Honor winner, Kyle Carpenter. others, let the ones you love always know you love them, and when things get hard, trust NOTE: The President spoke at 2:33 p.m. in the there is a bigger plan and that you will be East Room at the White House. In his re- stronger for it.” Pretty good message. marks, he referred to Lt. Col. Debra L. Malo- Corporal William Kyle Carpenter should ne, USAF, trauma research director, and Capt. not be alive today, but the fact that he is gives Lauren T. Greer, general surgeon, Walter us reason to trust that there is indeed a bigger Reed National Military Medical Center in plan. So God bless you, Kyle. God bless all who Bethesda, MD. The transcript released by the serve and protect the precious and amazing life Office of the Press Secretary also included the that we are blessed with. May God continue to reading of the citation.

Statement on the Investiture of King Felipe VI of Spain June 19, 2014

On behalf of the American people, I con- Spain is a valued ally of the United States, and gratulate His Majesty King Felipe VI on the we share strong ties, steeped in history. I look occasion of his investiture as King of Spain. We forward to working closely with King Felipe VI are grateful to King Juan Carlos I for his and continuing to strengthen this bond in the friendship and leadership in guiding Spain’s years to come. As Spain celebrates this transition democracy and deepening the transatlantic re- and looks ahead to the future, the American lationship. people celebrate along with the people of Spain.

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