[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 46 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Pages 1582-1583]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 1583]]

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 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.