    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [May 26, 2007]
    [Pages 627-628]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 26, 2007

        Good morning. This Memorial Day weekend, Americans honor those who
    have given their lives in service to our Nation. As we pay tribute to
    the brave men and women who died for our freedom, we also honor those
    who are defending our liberties around the world today.
        On Wednesday, I met with some of the courageous young men and women
    who will soon take their place in the defense of our Nation, the
    graduating class of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Since its
    inception, the Coast Guard has patrolled and protected America's shores.
    And in this time of war, the Coast Guard has assumed new
    responsibilities to defend our Nation against terrorist infiltration and
    help stop new attacks. I was proud to stand with the class of 2007 and
    thank them for their bold decision to wear the uniform.
        The men and women of the Coast Guard are fighting alongside
    soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have also volunteered to
    protect America. We live in freedom because patriots such as these are
    willing to serve, and many have given their lives in defense of our
    Nation. On Monday, I will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to
    honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their country's
    cause.
        One of those who gave his life was Sergeant David Christoff, Jr., of
    Rossford, Ohio. The day after the attacks of September the 11th, David
    walked into a recruiting station to become a United States marine. Asked
    why he made the decision to serve, David said, ``I don't want my brother
    and sister to live in fear.'' David eventually deployed to Iraq, where
    he fought street by street in the battle of Fallujah and earned a Purple
    Heart for wounds suffered in action.
        While on leave back home, David learned his company was headed for
    combat in Afghanistan. But he knew there was also a job to finish in
    Iraq. So he asked to be reassigned to a unit headed for Iraq, and last
    May, he died in Anbar Province, where the marines are taking the fight
    to Al Qaida. When his family received his belongings, his mother and his father each
    found a letter from David. He asked that they pray for his fellow
    marines and all those still serving overseas.
        On Memorial Day, our Nation honors Sergeant Christoff's final
    request. We pray for our men and women serving in harm's way. We pray
    for their safe return. And we pray for their families and loved ones,
    who also serve our country with their support and sacrifice.
        On Memorial Day, we rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause. In Iraq
    and Afghanistan, millions have shown their desire to be free. We are
    determined to help them secure their liberty. Our troops are helping
    them build democracies that respect the rights of their people, uphold
    the rule of law, and fight extremists alongside America in the war on
    terror. With the valor and determination of our men and women in
    uniform, I am confident that we will succeed and leave a world that is
    safer and more peaceful for our children and grandchildren.

    [[Page 628]]

        On Memorial Day, we also pay tribute to Americans from every
    generation who have given their lives for our freedom. From Valley Forge
    to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, brave men
    and women have given up their own futures so that others might have a
    future of freedom. Because of their sacrifice, millions here and around
    the world enjoy the blessings of liberty. And wherever these patriots
    rest, we offer them the respect and gratitude of our Nation.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on May 25 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 26. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    May 25, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.