[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[June 8, 1991]
[Pages 626-627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at a Memorial Service in Arlington, Virginia, for Those Who Died 
in the Persian Gulf Conflict
June 8, 1991

    We meet today to remember the men and women who gave their lives to 
their nation and to the ideal of freedom during Operation Desert Storm. 
All across our land people celebrate our victory in that war, and 
there's a new and wonderful feeling in America. Later today--they're 
already started--crowds will gather to watch troops march triumphantly 
from Washington to the Pentagon in a grand parade. But war also deserves 
quiet, sober remembrance. And here in this quiet place we can offer 
humble homage to young people who last summer answered their country's 
call and never returned.
    I think we all admire this place, its sloping hills and grasses and 
the trees--no hype. Heard a bird sing a minute ago. We confront 
mysteries here. We celebrate the fact that each person we commemorate 
today gave up life for principles larger than each of us, principles 
that at the same time form the muscle and strength of our national 
heart.
    Dwight Eisenhower once spoke of the most ennobling virtues of man: 
faith, courage, fortitude, and sacrifice. He knew that America grew 
out of brave men's dreams of

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a commonwealth of freedom, of virtue. He knew that America endures 
because it dares to defend that dream. That dream links the fields of 
Flanders and the cliffs of Normandy, Korea's snow-covered uplands and 
the rice paddies of the Mekong. It's lived in the last year on barren 
desert flats, on sea-tossed ships, in jets streaking miles above hostile 
terrain. It lives because we dared risk our most precious asset--our 
sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our husbands and wives--
the finest troops any country has ever had.
    The heroes of Desert Storm and Desert Shield came from all across 
this country: towns of Mississippi, tenements of New York, the plains of 
America's giant, sprawling checkerboard that is our country. They were 
rural and urban; they were native, they were foreign-born; black and 
white, red and brown; privileged and poor. And they were our best.
    Far away they battled the inner enemy of fear and won. And then they 
set an embattled nation free. And they went to the Gulf not because it 
was the expedient way but because it was the American way. Through their 
sacrifice as they caused brutal aggression to fall, they renewed our 
faith in ourselves.
    From the time Operation Desert Shield began, a sacred bond grew up 
between Americans here at home and those that were serving in the Gulf. 
Just think of the yellow ribbons that joined this nation's hands and 
souls. Think of how the American family has perhaps never been more 
united. We prayed for the heroes of the Gulf and for the unsung heroes, 
the military families. There have been no parades for them, nor will 
they be immortalized in statues or monuments. And yet, in little 
kindnesses and deeds they reached out to each other, neighbor to 
neighbor, often stranger to stranger. They gave love without strings; in 
essence, they gave brotherhood.
    Each of you helped make the Persian Gulf war an historic war. 
Spouses, children, parents, friends--all showing how, as Woodrow Wilson 
said, ``War is a dramatic symbol of a thousand forms of duty.'' The 
enemies of peace, the brutal aggressors, could not match the combined 
prayers of 250 million Americans and the collective courage of half a 
million troops who knew that aggression must not stand.
    Today we commemorate not only history but sacrifice and bravery. So, 
let me close with a story of how a woman, Debbie Wyatt, returned from 
naval duty in the Gulf. As her three young children leaped into her 
arms, crying and hugging her, a reporter asked her if she'd do it again. 
And she replied simply, ``I'd go back tomorrow if my country called.'' I 
don't know how anyone can fail to tremble in joy and admiration and awe 
upon hearing her reply. Answering the call made others free, and 
answering the call has kept us free. Today we hope that this time was 
the last time, that we stand prepared to respond again should there ever 
be a next time. Our goal is real peace--the triumph of freedom, not 
merely the absence of war. Our means is the courage and character of the 
American people.
    So, let us remember the heroes of the Gulf, those with us, those who 
gave their life--as the sergeant so beautifully sang, ``The Last Full 
Measure of Devotion''--so that mankind will say: Just as they honored 
America, we honored them with the lives we lead.
    God bless them, and may God bless the United States of America.

                    Note: The President spoke at 9:38 a.m. in the 
                        amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. T. 
                        Sgt. Thomas Steckhard, USAF, sang ``The Last 
                        Full Measure of Devotion'' prior to the 
                        President's remarks.