Retired General David Petraeus spoke publicly for the first time since resigning as CIA Director in November. The resignation came after Petraeus was exposed for having an extramarital affair with his biographer.
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Petraeus spoke at a dinner for veterans and ROTC students at USC, and expressed condolences for his wife, Holly, who was not present.
“Needless to say, I join you keenly aware that I am regarded in a different light than I was a year ago. I am also keenly aware that the reason for my recent journey was my own doing. So please allow me to begin my remarks this evening by reiterating how deeply I regret and apologize for the circumstances that led to my resignation from the CIA and caused such pain for my family, friends, and supporters.”
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After applause and ovation, he continued the speech, describing the need for soldiers and veterans to receive better medical treatment. Petraeus, who retired as a four-star general, was well respected at the dinner for his leadership in reshaping the nation’s counterinsurgency strategy.
He ended the speech on another apologetic note, “I know that I can never fully assuage the pain that I inflicted on those closest to me and a number of others…As I close, I want to say thank you to words of encouragement to family…This has been a difficult episode for us…to fall as far as I did.”
