[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 22 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Pages 902-903]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

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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.