In his Memorial Day message to the nation, President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of upholding the democratic ideals that countless service members and their families have sacrificed for. He stated that as Americans, we have a responsibility to honor and preserve these ideals.
In a poignant address delivered at the amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, on a somber morning in Washington, Biden paid tribute to the courageous individuals who have selflessly served in every significant conflict since the Civil War.
“Our fallen heroes have brought us closer with each passing generation,” he emphasized. “Today, we not only inherit their remarkable legacy, but we also bear the weight of their mission. It is our duty to preserve the essence of their lives and honor their sacrifice. We must take decisive actions every day to safeguard the longevity of our democracy and uphold the enduring ideals of America.”
In a heartfelt address to military families who have experienced the loss of their loved ones, President Biden empathized with their pain, acknowledging the challenges they face. The President shared a personal connection, recounting his own experience of losing his son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015. He expressed his belief that Beau’s illness was a result of exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Iraq.
“It’s painful, and the pain is still fresh,” he acknowledged, emphasizing that it has been almost nine years since Beau’s passing. “The ache of losing him is something I carry with me every single day, just like many of you. It’s a pain that remains sharp and vivid, but alongside it, I also feel an immense sense of pride in his commitment, almost as if I can still hear him saying, ‘It’s my duty, dad, it’s my duty.'”
“We gathered once more on this day to reflect, to remember, and most importantly, to renew our dedication to the very future they fought so valiantly for,” he emphasized. “It is a future that is firmly rooted in the principles of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality – not just for a select few, but for every single individual.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed their gratitude towards service members and their families during Monday’s ceremony.
Before delivering his remarks, President Biden participated in the customary act of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. As he placed the wreath at the memorial, which is also referred to as the Tomb of the Unknowns, Biden made the sign of the cross.
Joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary Austin, the three leaders stood with their hands over their hearts as the taps played during the ceremony.
On Monday, Biden held a breakfast at the White House to commemorate Memorial Day. The event was attended by administration officials, military leaders, veterans, and Gold Star family members.
President Biden is set to travel to Normandy, France next week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
During his speech on Monday, Biden emphasized the remarkable individuals who had valiantly fought on that day, referring to them as “members of the greatest generation who, 80 years ago next week, liberated a continent and saved the world.”
The president commended all those who have fought against fascism, communism, and terrorism.
“Throughout the years, in one tour after another, these wars have been fought to secure our freedom and the freedom of others, because freedom has never been something we can take for granted,” Biden affirmed.
“It is a constant struggle for each generation to earn, fight for, and protect the ideals of democracy in the face of autocracy and the selfishness of a few,” he emphasized. “This fight holds great significance because our democracy is not just a mere governmental system but the very essence of America itself.”
President Biden paid his respects at Arlington National Cemetery this morning, while his potential 2024 Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, took to social media to acknowledge Memorial Day.
In a heartfelt post, a photo was shared featuring Trump giving a salute accompanied by the caption, “We can never replace them. We can never repay them, but we can always remember. Today, that is what we are doing — we remember.”
In a later post, Trump briefly acknowledged Memorial Day before launching an attack on E. Jean Carroll, who had successfully filed a defamation case against him, and Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over his civil business fraud trial in New York.
“Happy Memorial Day to everyone, even those individuals who are working tirelessly to undermine our once great nation, and to the radical left,” Trump expressed.
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