    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 11, 2003]
    [Pages 1507-1509]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Veterans Day Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia
    November 11, 2003

        Thank you all very much. Thank you for the warm welcome. Thank you,
    Secretary Principi, for doing a really
    fine job to represent our Nation's veterans. Members of the Cabinet,
    Members of the Congress, members of our military, veterans, Commander
    Berger, representatives of veterans
    organizations, and fellow Americans: Laura and I
    are proud to join all of you and citizens across our country as we honor
    the service of America's veterans.
        We observe Veterans Day on an anniversary--not of a great battle or
    of the beginning of a war but of a day when war ended and our Nation was
    again at peace. Ever since the armistice of November the 11th, 1918,
    this has been a day to remember our debt to all who have worn the
    uniform of the United States.
        Our veterans have borne the costs of America's wars and have stood
    watch over America's peace. And today, every veteran can be certain: The
    Nation you served and the people you defended are grateful.
        Our Nation knows this national cemetery as the final resting place
    of those lost to the violence of war. Yet, most of the markers here
    stand over the graves of Americans who lived beyond their years of
    military service. On the hills of Arlington and in the daily lives of
    our country, veterans have a special place. We honor them all for their
    service in uniform. And we honor America's veterans for the full lives
    of their service they continue to lead.
        Today, more than 25 million Americans wear the proud title of
    veteran or retired military. Their ranks include young men and women who
    gave good years to our all-volunteer military and recently returned to
    civilian life. Our veterans include more than 11 million men and women
    from the conflicts of Korea and Vietnam who earned this Nation's
    gratitude and respect. More

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    than 4 million living Americans served in World War II, under the
    command of Eisenhower and Bradley and Nimitz. And on Veterans Day 2003,
    it is still possible to thank, in person, almost 200 Americans who were
    in uniform when the guns of World War I went silent 85 years from today.
    All the men who served when Woodrow Wilson was the Commander in Chief
    are now more than 100 years old, and they can know that America is still
    proud of them.
        Every veteran has his or her own story of entering military service.
    Many enlisted on Monday morning, December 8th, 1941, or at the beginning
    of other conflicts. For some, military life began with the initiation at
    an academy. For others, it began with a letter from the United States
    Government. Yet when their service is complete, veterans of every era,
    every background, and every branch have certain things in common. And
    those shared commitments and experience formed bonds that last a
    lifetime.
        Every veteran has lived by a strict code of discipline. Every
    veteran understands the meaning of personal accountability and loyalty
    and shared sacrifice. From the moment you repeated the oath to the day
    of your honorable discharge, your time belonged to America; your country
    came before all else. And whether you served abroad or at home, you have
    shared in the responsibility of maintaining the finest fighting force in
    the world.
        Veterans who took the oath and served in battle have known the
    hardships and the fears and the tragic losses of war. These memories
    follow them through life and are sometimes hard to bear. Yet our war
    veterans, wherever they fought, can know this: In the harshest hours of
    conflict, they serve just and honorable purposes.
        Americans are a peaceful people, and this Nation has always gone to
    war reluctantly and always for a noble cause. America's war veterans
    have fought for the security of this Nation, for the safety of our
    friends, and for the peace of the world. They humbled tyrants and
    defended the innocent and liberated the oppressed. And across the Earth,
    you will find entire nations that once lived in fear, where men and
    women still tell of the day when Americans came and set them free.
        America's mission in the world continues, and we count on the same
    kind of people to carry it out. Today, in assignments around the world,
    more than 1.4 million Americans are on active duty, earning the title of
    veteran by serving in the cause of freedom. In 2 years and 2 months
    since our country was attacked, the men and women of our Armed Forces
    have engaged the terrorist enemy on many fronts. They've confronted
    grave dangers to defend the safety of the American people. They have
    liberated two nations, Afghanistan and Iraq, delivering more than 50
    million people from the hands of dictators. Those who serve and fight
    today are adding great achievements of their own to America's history.
    America is grateful for their daring, grateful for their honor, and
    grateful for their sacrifice.
        On this Veterans Day, with our Nation at war, Americans are deeply
    aware of the current military struggle and of recent sacrifice. Young
    Americans have died in liberating Iraq and Afghanistan. They've died in
    securing freedom in those countries. The loss is terrible. It is borne
    especially by the families left behind. But in their hurt and in their
    loneliness, I want these families to know your loved ones served in a
    good and just cause. They died in distant lands to fight terror, to
    advance freedom, and to protect America. They did not live to be called
    veterans, but this Nation will never forget their lives of service and
    all they did for us.
        At this hour, many thousands are following their duty at great risk.
    One young man serving in Iraq recently said this: ``We in the military
    signed up and pledged to

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    protect this great country of ours from enemies foreign and domestic.''
    ``We're fighting,'' he said, ``so that the next generation might never
    have to experience anything like September the 11th, 2001.''
        Today and every day, the prayers of the American people are with
    those who wear our country's uniform. They serve a great cause, and they
    follow a great tradition, handed down to them by America's veterans. Our
    veterans from every era are the finest of citizens. We owe them the life
    we know today. They command the respect of the American people, and they
    have our lasting gratitude.
        Thank you for coming today. May God bless America, and may God bless
    all who defend it.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:38 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.
    In his remarks, he referred to David Berger, national commander, Army
    and Navy Union of the United States of America.