[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 21 (Monday, June 2, 2008)]
[Pages 754-756]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

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    A few moments ago, I placed a wreath upon the tomb of three brave 
American 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 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

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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 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.