    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [July 27, 1995]
    [Pages 1160-1161]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1160]]

    Remarks at the Dedication Ceremony for the Korean War Veterans Memorial
    July 27, 1995

        Thank you. Thank you very much, President Kim, for your fine remarks
    on behalf of all the people of Korea and for your leadership and for
    your defense of democracy in your country, proving that these sacrifices
    of the Americans and others were not in vain.
        Thank you to all the distinguished guests who are here. I'd like to
    say also a special word of thanks for those who are responsible for this
    memorial, for those who designed and built it and conceived it, and
    those who operate it. It is a magnificent reminder of what is best about
    the United States, and I thank you all for your contribution.
        I also believe that everyone in this crowd, indeed everyone in this
    country, owes a special debt of gratitude to General Davis and to his
    predecessor, General Stilwell, for their 8-year dream to make this day a
    reality. General Davis served our country with great distinction in
    World War II and went on to win the Congressional Medal of Honor in
    Korea. But he had 8 more long years of combat to make this day happen.
    And all of us who are here owe it to him to say thank you for all of
    that service.
        Today, we are surrounded by monuments to some of the greatest
    figures in our history while we gather at this, our newest national
    memorial, to remember and honor the Americans who fought for freedom in
    Korea. In 1950, our Nation was weary of war, but 1.5 million Americans
    left their family and friends and their homes to help to defend freedom
    for a determined ally halfway around the world or, as the monument says,
    a place they had never been and a people they had never met.
        Together with men and women from 20 other nations, all of whom are
    represented here today, they joined the first mission of the United
    Nations to preserve peace by fighting shoulder to shoulder with the
    brave people of South Korea to defend their independence, to safeguard
    other Asian nations from attack, and to protect the freedom that remains
    our greatest gift.
        The Korean war veterans endured terrible hardships--deathly cold,
    weeks and months crammed in foxholes and bunkers, an enemy of
    overwhelming numbers, the threat of brutal imprisonment and torture--
    defending the perimeter at Pusan, braving the tides at Inchon,
    confronting the world's fastest fighter jets in Mig Alley, enduring
    hand-to-hand combat on Heartbreak Ridge and Pork Chop Hill, fighting the
    way back from Chosin Reservoir. They set a standard of courage that may
    be equaled but will never be surpassed in the annals of American combat.
        If I might recount the deeds of just two men, so as to bring to life
    today, so many years later, the dimensions of this conflict. One from my
    home State, 26-year-old Lloyd Burke was trying to lead his company to
    high ground outside of Seoul. Pinned down by enemy fire, he wiped out
    three enemy bunkers in a lone assault. Handgrenades were thrown at him,
    so he caught them and threw them back. Later, he knocked out two enemy
    mortars and a machine gun position. Despite being wounded, he led his
    men in a final charge and took the hill. For his extraordinary courage
    and leadership, Lloyd Burke was awarded the Congressional Medal of
    Honor.
        Corporal Ronald Rosser was a forward observer in the hills near
    Pangil-ri when his platoon came under fire from two directions. With
    just a carbine and a grenade, he charged the enemy position and knocked
    out two bunkers and cleared a trench. Twice he ran out of ammunition and
    twice he crossed through enemy fire to resume his attack. Later, even
    though he was wounded, Ronald Rosser repeatedly dodged enemy fire to
    bring other injured soldiers to safety. And for his exceptional bravery,
    he, too, was awarded the Medal of Honor.
        These two great Americans, Lloyd Burke and Ronald Rosser, are with
    us here today. I ask them to stand and be recognized on behalf of all
    the veterans of the Korean war.
        In this impressive monument, we can see the figures and faces that
    recall their heroism. In steel and granite, in water and earth, the
    creators of this memorial have brought to life the courage and sacrifice
    of those who served in all branches of the Armed Forces from every
    racial and ethnic group and background in America. They represent, once
    more, the enduring American truth: From many we are one.

    [[Page 1161]]

        Tens of thousands of Americans died in Korea. Our South Korean
    allies lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians. Our other
    U.N. allies suffered grievous casualties. Thousands of Americans who
    were lost in Korea to this day have never been accounted for. Today, I
    urge the leaders of North Korea to work with us to resolve those cases.

        President Kim and I are working together to open the door to better
    relations between our nations and North Korea. Clarifying these MIA
    cases is an important step. We have not forgotten our debt to them or to
    their families, and we will never stop working for the day when they can
    be brought home.

        This memorial also commemorates those who made the ultimate
    sacrifice so that we might live free. And I ask you on this hot, summer
    day to pause for a moment of silence in honor of those from the United
    States, our U.N. allies, and from our friends in the Republic of Korea
    who lost their lives in the Korean war.

    [At this point, a moment of silence was observed.]

        Amen.

        On this day, 42 years ago, President Dwight Eisenhower called the
    end of hostilities an armistice on a single battleground, not peace in
    the world. It's fair to say that when the guns fell silent then, no one
    knew for sure what our forces in Korea had done for the future of our
    Nation or the future of world freedom. The larger conflict of the cold
    war had only begun. It would take four decades more to win.

        In a struggle so long and consuming, perhaps it's not surprising
    that too many lost sight of the importance of Korea. But now we know
    with the benefit of history that those of you who served and the
    families who stood behind you laid the foundations for one of the
    greatest triumphs in the history of human freedom. By sending a clear
    message that America had not defeated fascism to see communism prevail,
    you put the free world on the road to victory in the cold war. That is
    your enduring contribution. And all free people everywhere should
    recognize it today.

        And look what you achieved in Korea. Today, Korea is thriving and
    prosperous. From the unbelievable poverty and ruin at the aftermath of
    the war, this brave, industrious, strong country has risen to become the
    11th largest economy in the entire world, with a strong democratic
    leader in President Kim. In Asia, peace and stability are more firmly
    rooted than at any time since World War II. And all around the world,
    freedom and democracy are now on the march.

        So to all the veterans here today, and to all throughout our land
    who are watching, let us all say, when darkness threatened, you kept the
    torch of liberty alight. You kept the flame burning so that others all
    across the world could share it. You showed the truth inscribed on the
    wall: that freedom is not free.

        We honor you today because you did answer the call to defend a
    country you never knew and a people you never met. They are good people.
    It's a good country. And the world is better because of you.

        God bless you, and God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 3:20 p.m. on The Mall. In his
    remarks, he referred to Gen. Raymond G. Davis, USMC (Ret.), chairman,
    and Gen. Richard G. Stilwell, USA (Ret.), former chairman, Korean War
    Veterans Memorial Advisory Board.