[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.