    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 26, 2008]
    [Pages 726-728]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia
    May 26, 2008

        Thank you. Mr. Secretary, thank you for
    the kind introduction. Members of my Cabinet, members of the
    administration, Admiral Mullen, Members of
    the United States Congress--Senator Warner
    and Congressman Skelton--
    members of the military, our veterans, honored guests, families of the
    fallen: Laura and I are honored to be with you on
    Memorial Day, and thank you for coming.
        A few moments ago, I placed a wreath upon the tomb of three brave
    Americans who gave their lives in service to our Nation. The names of
    these honored are known only to the Creator, who delivered them home
    from the anguish of war, but their valor is known to us all. It's the
    same valor that endured the stinging cold of Valley Forge. It is the
    same valor that planted the proud colors of a great nation on a
    mountaintop on Iwo Jima. It is the same valor that charged fearlessly
    through the assault of enemy fire from the mountains of Afghanistan to
    the deserts of Iraq. It is the valor that has defined the Armed Forces
    of the United States of America throughout our history.
        Today we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our
    way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty, they
    sacrificed for liberty, and in countless acts of courage, they died for
    liberty. From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this
    one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies. They found peace
    beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend.
        It is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that the number of
    headstones in a place such as this grows with every new Memorial Day. In
    a world where freedom is constantly under attack and in a world where
    our security is challenged, the joys of liberty are often purchased by
    the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than themselves. Today
    we mourn and remember all who have given their lives in the line of
    duty. Today we lift up our hearts, especially to those who've fallen in
    the past year.
        We remember Army Specialist Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colorado. As
    a young man, Ronnie was known for having an infectious smile and a
    prankster's sense of humor. And then he joined the United States Army,
    which brought out a more mature side in him. Ronnie transformed

    [[Page 727]]

    from a light-hearted teenager into a devoted soldier and a dutiful son
    who called his mother every day from his post
    in Iraq. In his final act of duty, less than a month ago, he worked with
    other members of his unit to build a soccer field for Iraqi children. As
    he drove back to his base, an enemy bomb robbed him of his life. And
    today our Nation grieves for the loss of Ronnie Tucker.
        We remember two Navy SEALs: Nathan Hardy of Durham, New Hampshire,
    and Michael Koch of State College, Pennsylvania. Nate and Mike were
    partners in the field, and they were close friends in the barracks.
    Through several missions together, they had developed the unique bond of
    brotherhood that comes from trusting another with your life. They even
    shared a battlefield tradition. They would often head into battle with
    American flags clutched to their chests underneath their uniform. Nate
    and Mike performed this ritual for the last time on February the 4th.
    They both laid down their lives in Iraq after being ambushed by
    terrorists. These two friends spent their last few moments on Earth
    together doing what they loved most, defending the United States of
    America. Today Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch lay at rest next to each other
    right here on the grounds of Arlington.
        The men and women of American Armed Forces perform extraordinary
    acts of heroism every single day. Like the Nation they serve, they do
    not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat
    when liberty and justice are embattled. Ronald Tucker, Nathan Hardy, and
    Mike Koch make clear: They do not waver, even in the face of danger.
        And so today, here in Washington and across our country, we pay
    tribute to all who have fallen, a tribute never equal to the debt they
    are owed. We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search
    for their comrades, the POWs and MIAs. And we pledge--we offer a solemn
    pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and
    secure the peace for which they fought.
        The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty's
    defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent
    tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and
    daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God's blessings on all who
    grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and
    every day.
        On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the Commander in Chief
    and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the
    men and women who wear our uniform. They're an awesome bunch of people,
    and the United States is blessed to have such citizens.
        I am humbled by those who've made the ultimate sacrifice that allow
    a free civilization to endure and flourish. It only remains for us, the
    heirs of their legacy, to have the courage and the character to follow
    their lead and to preserve America as the greatest nation on Earth and
    the last, best hope for mankind.
        May God bless you, and may God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:15 a.m. in the Amphitheater at Arlington
    National Cemetery. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Defense
    Robert M. Gates; Adm. Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of
    Staff; and Susan Arnold, mother of Spc. Ronald J. Tucker, USA. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks. The Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day
    proclamation of May 22 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.

    [[Page 728]]