    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 30, 2005]
    [Pages 893-894]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia
    May 30, 2005

        Thank you very much. Mr. Secretary,
    thank you. Secretary Nicholson, General
    Myers, Members of Congress, members of the
    United States military, veterans, honored guests, fellow Americans,
    especially those loved ones of the fallen: Every year on this day, we
    pause to remember Americans fallen by placing a wreath at the Tomb of
    the Unknowns. I'm honored to do that this morning on behalf of the
    American people. The names of the men buried there are known only to
    God, but their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten by our
    Nation.
        The soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines we remember today
    answered the call of service in their Nation's hour of need. They stood
    to fight for America's highest ideals. And when the sun came up this
    morning, the flag flew at halfstaff in solemn gratitude and in deep
    respect.
        At our National Cemetery, we receive the fallen in sorrow, and we
    take them to an honored place to rest. Looking across this field, we see
    the scale of heroism and sacrifice. All who are buried here understood
    their duty. All stood to protect America. And all carried with them
    memories of a family that they hoped to keep safe by their sacrifice.
        At a distance, their headstones look alike. Yet every son or
    daughter, mom or dad who visits will always look first at one. General
    Eisenhower put it well in 1944, when he wrote his wife, Mamie, about
    ``the homes that must sacrifice their best.'' The families who come here
    have sacrificed someone precious and irreplaceable in their lives, and
    our Nation will always honor them.
        At our National Cemetery, we're reminded why America has always been
    a reluctant warrior. This year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the
    end of World War II, a victory for which more than 400,000 Americans
    gave their lives. Their courage crossed two oceans, and it conquered
    tyrants. Some of you here today fought in that war as young men, and we
    make this pledge to you: America will always honor the character and the
    achievements of your brave generation.
        Today we also remember the Americans who are still missing. We honor
    them, and our Nation is determined to account for all of them.
        Another generation is fighting a new war against an enemy that
    threatens the peace and stability of the world. Across the globe, our
    military is standing directly between our people and the worst dangers
    in the world, and Americans are grateful to have such brave defenders.
    The war on terror has brought great costs. For those who have lost loved
    ones in Afghanistan and Iraq, today is a day of last letters and fresh
    tears. Because of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, two
    terror regimes are gone forever, freedom is on the march, and America is
    more secure.
        At our National Cemetery, we take comfort from knowing that the men
    and women who are serving freedom's cause understand their purpose and
    its price. Marine Captain Ryan Beaupre of
    St. Anne, Illinois, was killed in the first hours of the war. He wrote
    his mom and dad a
    letter that was to be opened only in the event he didn't come home. He
    wrote, ``Realize that I died doing something that I truly love for a
    purpose greater than myself.''
        Army Sergeant Michael Evans of
    Marrero, Louisiana, felt the same way. He was killed on January 28th
    while on patrol in western Baghdad. In his own farewell letter to his
    family, the 22-year-old reminded those he left behind to stay strong. He
    said, ``My death will mean nothing if you stop now. I know it will be
    hard, but

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    I gave my life so you could live. Not just live but live free.''
        For some of our young heroes, courage and service was a family
    tradition. Lance Corporal Darrell Schumann of Hampton, Virginia, was a machine gunner for the
    Marines, but his parents were Air Force. He liked to say, ``Air Force by
    birth, Marine by choice, and American by the grace of God.'' Corporal
    Schumann was among the first to enter the battle against insurgents in
    Fallujah, and he was proud of what he--what we are achieving. He later
    died in a helicopter crash. In his last letter from Iraq, he wrote, ``I
    do wish America could see how awesome a job we're doing.''
        These are the men and women who wear our uniform. These are the men
    and women who defend our freedom. And these are the men and women who
    are buried here. As we look across these acres, we begin to tally the
    cost of our freedom, and we count it a privilege to be citizens of the
    country served by so many brave men and women. And we must honor them by
    completing the mission for which they gave their lives, by defeating the
    terrorists, advancing the cause of liberty, and building a safer world.
        A day will come when there will be no one left who knew the men and
    women buried here. Yet Americans will still come to visit, to pay
    tribute to the many who gave their lives for freedom, who liberated the
    oppressed, and who left the world a safer and better place. Today we
    pray that they have found peace with their Creator, and we resolve that
    their sacrifice will always be remembered by a grateful Nation.
        May God continue to bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:27 a.m. in the Amphitheater at Arlington
    National Cemetery. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Defense
    Donald H. Rumsfeld; Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson;
    and Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. The
    Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day proclamation of May 20 is listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume.