Posted by: thepinetree on 05/27/2024 12:54 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 05/27/2024 12:54 PM
Expires: 01/01/2029 12:00 AM
:
President Biden at the 156th National Memorial Day Observance
Arlington, VA...Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please be seated. One hundred and sixty years ago this month, in the midst of the Civil War, the first American soldier was laid to rest at these hallowed grounds. Private William Christman, a farmworker from Pennsylvania, had enlisted just seven weeks before. There was no formal ceremony to consecrate this new sanctuary, no fanfore — fanfare.
It came at a turning point in the war. As fighting shifted east, the casualties quickly mounted in the bloody, grinding campaign.
Over the next year, William would be joined in death, as he was in life, by his brother-in-arms in this final resting place. And these hills around us would be transformed from a former slave plantation into a national strine — shine for those American heroes who died for freedom, who died for us.
My fellow Americans, Jill, Vice President Harris, the Second Gentleman Emhoff, Secretary Austin, General Brown; most importantly, the veterans and service members, families, and survivors — we gather at this sacred place at this solemn moment to remember, to honor — honor the sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of women and men who’ve given their lives for this nation.
Each one, literally, a chain in the link — a link in the chain of honor stretching back to our founding days. Each one bound by common commitment — not to a place, not to a person, not to a President, but to an idea unlike any idea in human history: the idea of the United States of America.
Today, we bear witness to the price they paid. Every white stone across these hills, in every military cemetery and churchyard across America: a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a spouse, a neighbor — an American.
To everyone who has lost and loved someone in the service of our country, to everyone with a loved one still missing or unaccounted for, I know how hard it can be. It can reopen that black hole in the middle of your chest, bringing you back to the exact moment you got that phone call, heard that knock on the door, or held the hand when the last breath was taken. I know it hurts. The hurt is still real, still raw.
This week marks nine years since I lost my son, Beau. Our losses are not the same. He didn’t perish on the battlefield. He was a cancer victim from a consequence of being in the Army in Iraq for a year next to a burn pit — a major in the U.S. National — Army National Guard, living and working, like too many, besides that toxic burn pit.
And as it is for so many of you, the pain of his loss is with me every day, as it is with you — still sharp, still clear. But so is the pride I feel in his service, as if I can still hear him saying, “It’s my duty, Dad. It’s my duty.”
Duty. That was the code of — my son lived by and the creed all of you live by, the creed that generations of service members have followed into battle.
On the grounds around us lie fallen heroes from every major conflict in history to defend our independence, to preserve our Union, to defeat fascism; built powerful alliances, forged in fires of two world wars.
Members of the Greatest Generation, who 80 years ago next week, took to the beaches of Normandy and liberated a continent and literally saved the world.
Others who stood against communism in Korea and Vietnam.
And not far from here, in Section 60, lie over a thousand — a thousand — 7,054 women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq, who signed up to defeat terrorists, protect our homeland after 9/11.
Decade after decade, tour after tour, these warriors fought for our freedom and the freedom of others, because freedom has never been guaranteed. Every generation has to earn it; fight for it; defend it in battle between autocracy and democracy, between the greed of a few and the rights of many. It matters.
Our democracy is more than just a system of government. It’s the very soul of America. It’s how we’ve been able to constantly adapt through the centuries. It’s why we’ve always emerged from every challenge stronger than we went in. And it’s how we come together as one nation united.
And just as our fallen heroes have kept the ultimate faith with our country and our democracy, we must keep faith with them.
I’ve long said we have many obligations as a nation. But we only have one truly sacred obligation: to prepare those we send into battle and to pr- — take care of them and their families when they come home and when they don’t.
Since I took office, I’ve signed over 30 bipartisan laws supporting servicemen, veterans and their families and caregivers, and survivors.
Last year, the VA delivered more benefits and processed more claims than ever in our history. And the PACT Act, which I was proud to have signed, has already guaranteed one million claims helping veterans exposed to toxic materials during their service — one million.
For too long, after fighting for our nation, these veterans had to fight to get the right healthcare, to get the benefits they had earned. Not anymore.
Our nation came together to ensure the burden is no longer on them to prove their illness was service-related, whether it was Agent Orange or toxic waste, to ensure they protected them — they just have to protect the United States — because it’s assumed that their death was a consequence of the exposure.
On this day, we came together again to reflect, to remember, but above all, to recommit to the future they fought for — a future grounded in freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality. Not just for some, but for all.
America is the only country in the world founded on an idea — an idea that all people are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout their lives.
We’ve never fully lived up to that, but we’ve never, ever, ever walked away from it. Every generation, our fallen heroes have brought us closer.
Today, we’re not just fortunate heirs of their legacy. We have a responsibility to be the keepers of their mission. That — that truest memorial of their lives: the actions we take every day to ensure that our democracy endures, the very idea of America endures.
Ladies and gentlemen, 160 years ago, the first American solider was laid to rest on these hallowed grounds. There were no big ceremonies, no big speeches, no family mour- — family members to mourn their loss, just the quiet grief of the rolling green hills surrounding them.
Today, we join that grief with gratitude: gratitude to our fallen heroes, gratitude to the families left behind, and gratitude to the brave souls who continue to uphold the flame of liberty all across our country and around the world.
Because of them, all of them, that we stand here today. We will never forget that. We will never, ever, ever stop working for — to make a more perfect Union, which they lived and which they died for.
That was their promise. That’s our promise — our promise today to them. That’s our promise always.
God bless the fallen. May God bless their families. And may God protect our troops.
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Do you know why so many of once Biden voters are voting for Trump? Posted on: 2024-05-27 13:08:33By: Anonymous
REELECTING BIDEN IS LIKE THE TITANIC BACKING UP TO HIT THE ICEBERG AGAIN.
And that's something they've thought about.
No Subject Posted on: 2024-05-27 13:32:08By: Anonymous
That's the guy who kept checking his watch when the 13 US military personnel he was responsible for killing when they came home in caskets. Then he lied along with his WH press secretary Jen Psaki ( it was even in her book of lies) saying " he wasn't checking his watch" which was easily Brown they lied.
Re: checking his watch Posted on: 2024-05-27 13:58:35By: Anonymous
MAGAts backing exPresident BoneSpurs. What a loser.
Trump wasn't able to check his watch at Normady during a DDay remembrance because he didn't want to get his hair wet.
Frickin Dotards.
No Subject Posted on: 2024-05-27 15:57:51By: Anonymous
Any of u libtards know what Jag officers did in Iraq? Let me help you, they stayed behind the wire in safe locations and tried to imprison infantry soldiers for war crimes. Does that sound like a “hero” to you? That was Biden’s son!
No Subject Posted on: 2024-05-27 16:05:15By: Anonymous
Plugs pull out in Afghanistan is pure proof of a man who knew nothing about what he was doing! His actions resulted in the murdering of not only 13 brave Americans, but countless Afghanistan, left the country in turmoil, left behind any progress we had made for the Afghan people, especially women, to be “free”, left billions of $ Worth of American war goodies, need anyone say more! He turned down the advice of every war general to keep some troops there, but is willing to send billions to Ukraine, go figure!
No Subject Posted on: 2024-05-27 16:08:27By: Anonymous
Just like his decision to neutralize our energy capabilities, another great mistake, he hated Trump so bad, he took it out on the average American, so the commies would adore this feeble idiot!
It’s refreshing to have a qualified President. Trump with his four criminal indictments.Eighty nine felony charges. A convicted rapist. Multiple cases of fraud. A Compulsive Liar. Suffering from dementia and gross mental illness. A disgusting un American ass hole. President Biden has done on amazing job. And republicans keep embarrassing themselves backing the con artist trump.
^I'm a Demo. Served in VN Era. Voted against Nixon, who until Trump came along, was the worst president of all time. Will defend if need be.
What have you done Trumpster?? You probably even dodged service in the BSA. If you back Trump YOU are an un-American coward.
Qualified? Graduated at the bottom of his class in law school. Has never held a job in the private sector. Never has written a pay check. "Worked" his entire life while feeding at the government trough. Feels up little girls and sniffs their hair. Showers with his daughter. Stole classified documents and made $8 million by sharing them with an author of his memoir. Is a racist and segregationist. Hates Jews. Is one of the stupidest presidents in history. Has made the United States the laughing stock of the world. Only a dumb dim would consider this usless demented moron qualified.
If you think Biden makes US a "laughing stock of the world", you didn't pay attention during Trump regime. Not only did the world laugh at us, they DID NOT respect us. They figured any country that would elect someone like Trump to lead them had to be at best, "bat chit crazy." Look at Trumps backers. Look at the people behind him at his so called rallies. Look like a bunch of inbreds. Who's laughing now?
How is that National Abortion Ban working for the idiot trump. Debate. Trump will never show up for that. Just like he is going to testify. Complete bull shi—
Nobody you phucking idiot. Its closing arguements, then deliberations. Maybe, just maybe, sometime this week a verdict will be reached. Get educated on the matter you buffoon.
DeNero, rhymes with hero. More celebs should speak the truth. You wanna' know why Trump NEVER criticizes Taylor Swift? Cuz if he did she would tell her supporters to vote for Biden and it would all be over for the orange goo. Go ahead Donald, talk about taylor like you want to. Just as I thought, crickets. No balls on that orange punk.
Re: LET'S GO BRANDON 😜 Posted on: 2024-05-28 09:16:39By: Anonymous
^^Above two perfect cross section of Trump backers. Morally inept, mentally inadequate, competency inefficent. In other words ZERO'S!!! You guys are losers, go back to the trailer and suckling sis.
