From a generation that came of age during the Great Depression, millions of our country's best and bravest took up arms in a worldwide struggle against tyranny.

I also believe that Hurricane Katrina did reveal a weakness in our energy supply systems, highlighting the reliance this country has on the gulf coast for our energy resources.

The young patriots now returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan and other deployments worldwide are joining the ranks of veterans to whom America owes an immense debt of gratitude.

Twenty-five million veterans are living among us today. These men and women selflessly set aside their civilian lives to put on the uniform and serve us.

America's veterans embody the ideals upon which America was founded more than 229 years ago.

Since the Revolution, eight generations of America's veterans have established an unbroken commitment to freedom.

Each family of the United States military now attends to their loved ones funeral with a wrenching worry that it will be met possibly with a protest or a demonstration.

The nation's obligation to her defenders is as old as that defense itself.

In fact, it is often times a detriment for the Government to preemptively legislate on an issue before we can either define it or grasp its impact.

I expect VA's inspector general and the FBI to work closely together so that we can identify and eliminate the flaws that allowed this leak and prosecute any criminal acts.

The men and women of today's VA are dedicated to caring for today's veterans and stand ready to provide for our servicemembers who now defend our freedoms and our way of life.

Strength of character may be learned at work, but beauty of character is learned at home.

In my simplicity, I remember wondering why every gentleman did not become an ornithologist.

I was born the son of a lawless man, always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand.

I wanted to be an artist. I was studying art. I wanted to be a great painter. When I went into the Navy, there wasn't much to draw at sea. So I began writing, and I began reading a lot.

That is not quite enough to make one happy, if one spends eight hours a day in something which in itself has no meaning and interest, except that one gains money from it.

Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way.

You must be like me; you must suffer in rhythm.

I've never really tried to copy anyone, I like to have my own style.

All things are poisons, for there is nothing without poisonous qualities. It is only the dose which makes a thing poison.

By God, I will not obey this filthy enactment!