    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 27, 1996]
    [Pages 820-821]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 820]]

    Remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia
    May 27, 1996

        Thank you. General Foley, Chaplain O'Keefe----

    [At this point, a car alarm sounded.]

        That's a new form of honors there. [Laughter] Secretary Brown,
    Deputy Secretary White, General Ralston, the members of the Joint Chiefs
    of Staff. Let me say a special word of thanks to Mr. Jack Metzler for
    all the work he has done on this magnificent cemetery and for the work
    that he and others have done to get the amphitheater ready again this
    year for a reopening. It is an extraordinarily beautiful place of honor
    for those who have served in our Armed Forces.
        To all the members of the Armed Forces who are here, to the
    distinguished leaders of our veterans organizations, to all of you who
    are veterans and your families, my fellow Americans: We come together
    this morning, as we do every year, to honor those who gave their lives
    so that future generations of Americans might live in freedom. All
    across our wonderful country, in crowded cities and country towns,
    America bows its head today in thanks to our fallen heroes. With flags
    at half-mast, with flowers on a grave, with colorful parades, with quiet
    prayers, we take this time to remember their achievements and renew our
    commitment to their ideals.
        Here on this peaceful hillside, the silent rows of headstones tell
    tales of service and sacrifice that are so much the story of our Nation.
    Here lies the spirit that has guided our country for more than 200 years
    now, nurses and drummer boys, scouts and engineers, warriors and
    peacemakers, joined by a shared devotion to defend our Nation, protect
    our freedom, keep America strong and proud.
        As we honor the brave sacrifices in battle that grace our Nation's
    history, let us also remember to honor those who served in times of
    peace, who preserve the peace, protect our interests, and project our
    values. Though they are the best trained, best equipped military in the
    world, they, too, face their share of dangers.
        Less than 3 weeks ago, two Marine Corps helicopters collided at Camp
    Lejeune, North Carolina. Fourteen fine young Americans were killed, one
    from the Army, one from the Navy, 12 from the Marine Corps. We have lost
    more than 200 of our service men and women in training accidents or in
    the course of regular duty since last Memorial Day. And though we work
    hard on safety, the work they do defending us has inherent dangers, and
    about that many Americans in uniform give their lives for our freedom
    every single year. These sons and daughters, brothers and sisters,
    mothers and fathers, they are American heroes too, and we are all in
    their debt.
        On this special day, we pay our respects to all who gave their lives
    for America. We know our country is strong and great today because of
    them. We know to honor their truly extraordinary sacrifice, we must all
    resolve to keep the United States the world's leading force for peace
    and security, for prosperity and freedom. And we know that now, as ever,
    the burden of doing this job weighs heavily upon our men and women in
    uniform.
        All around the world, from Korea to the Central African Republic,
    from the shores of Liberia to the skies over Iraq, our troops are
    standing watch on liberty's front lines. Their strength and skill gave
    the people of Haiti a chance to reclaim their democracy and their
    dreams. They stopped the slaughter of innocents in Bosnia and now are
    giving people exhausted by war the chance to create a lasting peace
    there for themselves, to restore stability to Europe, and in so doing,
    to make the future more secure for all the rest of us as well.
        On this Memorial Day, let us draw inspiration from the spirit that
    surrounds us, to give those who still defend our freedom and security in
    the military today the support they need and deserve to fulfill their
    important mission. And let us remember, as we stand on the eve of a
    bright new century, the origins of this commemoration. The practice of
    honoring America's fallen began near the close of the Civil War, the
    deadliest and most divisive conflict our Nation has ever known. Today is
    a time to remember what joins us as one America.
        Consider the service of just five brave Americans who have recently
    been buried in this hallowed ground: Marine Corporal Erik Kirkland, who
    dreamed of becoming an officer and was

    [[Page 821]]

    killed in a helicopter accident earlier this month at Camp Lejeune; a
    brilliant member of my staff, Air Force Colonel Nelson Drew, who
    perished in Bosnia last August while working to end the suffering and
    the slaughter; a proud Army veteran, our Commerce Secretary Ron Brown,
    who was taken from us last month on a foggy mountainside in Croatia as
    he was leading a mission of peace and hope to restore a broken land; and
    in that terrible crash, we also lost Tech Sergeant Cheryl Ann Turnage, a
    member of the Air Force crew who hoped to pursue a career in law; and
    just last week, we said goodbye to the Navy's fiercest champion and most
    beloved sailor, Admiral Mike Boorda. These five were very different in
    their backgrounds and in their service. But they were joined in their
    love for America. Their lives reflect the spirit of our democracy, the
    strength of our diversity, the energy and opportunity that make our
    country so great.
        We are descendants of a common creed, one Nation, under God;
    partners with a common purpose, to keep our Nation free and strong, a
    force for peace and progress, a place where people who work hard and
    take responsibility have the chance to make the most of their own lives,
    build good, strong families, and live out their dreams in dignity and
    peace.
        May God bless the souls of our departed and always bless the country
    they gave everything to serve.
        Thank you, and God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:31 a.m. in the amphitheater at Arlington
    National Cemetery. In his remarks, he referred to Maj. Gen. Robert F.
    Foley, USA, Commanding General, and Lt. Col. Joseph L. O'Keefe, USA,
    Deputy Command Chaplain, U.S. Army Military District of Washington; Gen.
    Joseph W. Ralston, USAF, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and John
    Metzler, Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery. The Memorial Day
    proclamation of May 24 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.