    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 31, 1999]
    [Pages 861-862]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Radio Remarks on the Observance of Memorial Day
    May 31, 1999

        Since the Civil War, Memorial Day has been a time for Americans to
    take a moment from our busy lives to remember the brave men and women
    who gave their lives in service to our Nation.
        This has been a century of great progress for the United States, but
    we must never forget that it came with a heavy price. At home and
    abroad, our victories over adversity were made possible by those who
    were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, and those who did make
    that sacrifice.
        Today most Americans will enjoy a well-deserved day off from the
    cares of work and school; we'll relax at home and cherish the company of
    loved ones. But as we contemplate the comforts and blessings of our
    lives and the well-being of our Nation, I ask you to pause just for a
    moment to remember those who gave their lives to protect the values that
    give meaning to our lives. I ask you also to think of our men and women
    in uniform who are risking their lives in the skies over Serbia, so that
    our children may inhabit a world where people are not murdered and
    driven from their homes because of their faith or their heritage.
        As our Armed Forces and our allies strive to build peace in the
    Balkans, and in other

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    places far from America's shores, let us all join in thanking them for
    all they do every day to defend our freedom.

    Note: The President's remarks were recorded at 5:31 p.m. on May 30 at
    the White Oak Plantation in Yulee, FL, for later broadcast. The
    transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 31,
    but due to technical difficulties the audio version was not made
    available.