A Holiday Message

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shares this message with all Americans today.

VILSACK: Looking back on 2012, I am proud of those across rural America who stayed resilient in the face of disaster. They managed farms, ranches and Main Street businesses through a record drought, an historic hurricane, and more. Ultimately, their hard work kept the momentum of rural America going strong.

I’m thankful for the thousands of men and women who, year in and year out, step up to serve our nation. Many of these members of our armed forces are from rural America and all of them are heroes. They’re stationed around the world today and many will spend their holidays away from family and friends, so that we can be safely at home with ours. I am further grateful for the service of our 22 million American veterans – more than 6 million of whom live, work and raise their families in rural America.

Finally I am heartened that so many Americans stand up during the holidays to help those who are struggling. Volunteers from our smallest towns to our biggest cities are helping ensure that no one goes hungry over the holidays – especially our children. They’re making sure that everyone has a warm place to sleep and they’re working hard to give every family the chance to have a special holiday celebration.

I hope that you’ll join me in saying “thank you” to the brave men and women who defend our freedom, and the volunteers here at home who are keeping our communities going strong. Wherever you are today, I wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today, and from all of us here at the Ag Information Network, Happy Holidays.