George W. Bush Forty-Third President (2001 to
2009)
2008 Memorial Day
Address at Arlington National Cemetery
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 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 lighthearted 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
blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and
comfort them today and everyday.
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.
(Applause.)
I am humbled by those who have 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.
George W. Bush
