    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 28, 2005]
    [Pages 891-893]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 28, 2005

        Good morning. This Memorial Day weekend, Americans pay tribute to
    those who have given their lives in the service of our Nation. As we
    honor the members

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    of our Armed Forces who have died for our freedom, we also honor those
    who are defending our liberties today.
        On Friday, I met with some of the courageous men and women who will
    soon take their place in the defense of our freedom, the graduating
    class of the United States Naval Academy. These new officers will soon
    be serving on ships, flying combat missions, and leading our troops into
    battle against dangerous enemies. They are prepared for the challenges
    ahead, morally, mentally, and physically. The American people can be
    confident that their freedom is in good hands.
        Our citizens live in freedom because patriots are willing to serve
    and sacrifice for our liberty. And on Monday, I will lay a wreath at
    Arlington National Cemetery in honor of those who have made the ultimate
    sacrifice. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War
    II, a victory for freedom in which more than 400,000 Americans gave
    their lives. Today, a new generation of Americans is making its own
    sacrifice on behalf of peace and freedom, and some have given their
    lives.
        In their hometowns, these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are
    more than names on a roll of honor. They were friends and neighbors,
    teachers and coaches, classmates and colleagues. Each was the most
    important person in someone's life. Each had hopes for the future, and
    each left a place that can never be filled. We mourn their loss, and we
    honor their sacrifice. We pray for their families. And we take heart in
    knowing that these men and women believed deeply in what they were
    fighting for.
        Christopher Swisher was a staff
    sergeant from Lincoln, Nebraska, who joined the Army a year after
    graduating from high school. He was killed in an ambush while on patrol
    in Baghdad. Sergeant Swisher told his loved ones, ``If anything happens
    to me, I'm doing what I want to be doing--I'm protecting my family and
    my home.''
        Rafael Peralta also understood that
    America faces dangerous enemies, and he knew the sacrifices required to
    defeat them. An immigrant from Mexico, he enlisted in the Marine Corps
    the day after he got his green card. Just before the battle of Fallujah,
    he wrote his 14-year-old brother, ``We are
    going to defeat the insurgents. Be proud of me. I'm going to make
    history and do something that I always wanted to do.'' A few days later,
    Sergeant Peralta gave his life to save his fellow marines.
        This Memorial Day, we remember Sergeant Peralta, Sergeant Swisher,
    and all who have given their lives for our Nation. And we honor them as
    we continue to wage the war on terror and spread freedom across the
    world. The people of Iraq and Afghanistan are determined to secure their
    freedom, and we will help them. We're training Iraqi and Afghan forces
    so they can take the fight to the enemy and defend their own countries,
    and then our troops will return home with the honor they have earned.
        Throughout our history, America has fought not to conquer but to
    liberate. We go to war reluctantly, because we understand the high cost
    of war. Those who have given their lives to defend America have the
    respect and gratitude of our entire Nation.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:45 a.m. on May 27 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 28. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    May 27 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.

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