1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,019 --> 00:00:06,075 The President of the United States , 3 00:00:06,075 --> 00:00:08,130 the Honorable Donald J . Trump , has 4 00:00:08,130 --> 00:00:10,680 arrived and is greeted by today's host , 5 00:00:11,060 --> 00:00:13,282 the Honorable Pete Heckseth , Secretary 6 00:00:13,282 --> 00:00:16,670 of War . Accompanied by Vice President 7 00:00:16,670 --> 00:00:19,989 JD Vance , General Kane , Chairman of 8 00:00:19,989 --> 00:00:22,156 the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Ms . Karen 9 00:00:22,156 --> 00:00:24,510 Durham Aguilera , Executive Director , 10 00:00:24,829 --> 00:00:27,190 Office of Army Cemeteries and Army 11 00:00:27,190 --> 00:00:29,430 National Military Cemeteries , and 12 00:00:29,430 --> 00:00:31,469 Major General Antoinette R . Gant , 13 00:00:31,870 --> 00:00:34,037 Commanding General of Joint Task Force 14 00:00:34,037 --> 00:00:36,270 National Capital Region and the United 15 00:00:36,270 --> 00:00:38,310 States Army Military District of 16 00:00:38,310 --> 00:00:39,310 Washington . 17 00:02:55,130 --> 00:02:58,190 Ceremonial ceremonial I 18 00:02:59,279 --> 00:03:03,210 pee . Oh , that . 19 00:06:57,459 --> 00:07:01,170 Honor guard . I can 20 00:07:01,709 --> 00:07:03,290 shun . Oh 21 00:07:06,559 --> 00:07:07,559 Oh 22 00:07:15,390 --> 00:07:16,446 To , please stop . 23 00:09:00,169 --> 00:09:01,169 I've got to stay 24 00:09:39,250 --> 00:09:42,090 Armed Forces and the United States Army 25 00:09:42,090 --> 00:09:43,750 bands are formed and . 26 00:09:48,859 --> 00:09:51,190 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 27 00:09:51,219 --> 00:09:53,770 the playing of the national anthem . We 28 00:09:53,979 --> 00:09:56,619 play taps , and while the president 29 00:09:56,619 --> 00:09:58,341 observes a moment of silence . 30 00:10:12,109 --> 00:10:13,109 It 31 00:10:25,039 --> 00:10:25,539 Bree . 32 00:11:54,099 --> 00:11:57,700 Oh no Pa ! 33 00:12:22,119 --> 00:12:23,119 Freeze , freeze . 34 00:14:54,489 --> 00:14:56,669 Order . Right shoulder . 35 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:14,440 Let 36 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:45,909 will begin momentarily . Please hold 37 00:16:45,909 --> 00:16:48,131 in place until you are directed to move 38 00:16:48,131 --> 00:16:49,131 to your seats . 39 00:18:16,290 --> 00:18:19,859 I see the glory of 40 00:18:20,449 --> 00:18:23,420 the coming of the glory . 41 00:18:24,670 --> 00:18:25,670 It is 42 00:18:29,109 --> 00:18:32,900 the the grapes . He 43 00:18:33,449 --> 00:18:37,099 had the fateful light of 44 00:18:37,989 --> 00:18:40,849 his story . 45 00:19:21,810 --> 00:19:22,560 Not , not 46 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:32,359 No . 47 00:19:37,660 --> 00:19:38,660 I 48 00:20:04,939 --> 00:20:05,939 Um 49 00:20:09,199 --> 00:20:10,199 I 50 00:21:01,239 --> 00:21:02,239 I 51 00:21:20,369 --> 00:21:20,780 you 52 00:21:29,859 --> 00:21:32,250 I I know . 53 00:21:41,510 --> 00:21:42,510 man 54 00:29:17,619 --> 00:29:18,619 The 55 00:29:29,750 --> 00:29:31,972 Ladies and gentlemen , the President of 56 00:29:31,972 --> 00:29:34,349 the United States , accompanied by the 57 00:29:34,349 --> 00:29:36,989 Vice President , the Secretary of War , 58 00:29:37,229 --> 00:29:39,451 and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 59 00:29:39,451 --> 00:29:39,949 Staff . 60 00:30:10,479 --> 00:30:12,359 Ladies and gentlemen , Chaplain 61 00:30:12,359 --> 00:30:14,420 Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Trimble , 62 00:30:14,719 --> 00:30:17,160 Deputy Command Chaplain , Joint Task 63 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:19,599 Force National Capital Region , and the 64 00:30:19,599 --> 00:30:22,500 US Army Military District of Washington . 65 00:30:28,250 --> 00:30:29,250 Yes . 66 00:30:33,359 --> 00:30:36,359 In your faith tradition . Would you bow 67 00:30:36,359 --> 00:30:39,810 with me in a word of prayer ? Almighty 68 00:30:39,810 --> 00:30:43,319 God , Creator , sustainer , 69 00:30:43,729 --> 00:30:46,969 and redeemer of all mankind . On this 70 00:30:46,969 --> 00:30:49,280 day of remembrance , we gather as one 71 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:52,489 people here in America's cemetery , 72 00:30:53,030 --> 00:30:55,489 humbled by the cost of freedom and 73 00:30:55,489 --> 00:30:57,729 united in gratitude for those who have 74 00:30:57,729 --> 00:31:00,530 given their lives in the last full 75 00:31:00,530 --> 00:31:03,579 measure of devotion . We remember the 76 00:31:03,579 --> 00:31:05,690 soldiers who stood in the breach when 77 00:31:05,690 --> 00:31:08,260 liberty was threatened , the sailors 78 00:31:08,260 --> 00:31:11,000 who braved the seas in defense of our 79 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:13,260 peace , the airmen who soared into 80 00:31:13,260 --> 00:31:16,540 danger so others might live , and the 81 00:31:16,540 --> 00:31:19,199 guardians of our homeland who did not 82 00:31:19,199 --> 00:31:22,819 return . To their family's embrace . 83 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:25,959 From the fields of Gettysburg to the 84 00:31:25,959 --> 00:31:28,839 beaches of Normandy , from the hills of 85 00:31:28,839 --> 00:31:31,520 Korea to the jungles of Vietnam , from 86 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:33,920 the sands of the Middle East to the 87 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:36,800 skies above distant lands , their 88 00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:39,239 courage has been the shield of our 89 00:31:39,239 --> 00:31:42,829 nation . Lord , grant us wisdom . To 90 00:31:42,829 --> 00:31:44,773 honor their memory , not only with 91 00:31:44,773 --> 00:31:46,989 words , but with lives worthy of their 92 00:31:46,989 --> 00:31:50,270 sacrifice . May we cherish the freedoms 93 00:31:50,270 --> 00:31:52,510 they have preserved , defend the 94 00:31:52,510 --> 00:31:55,069 justice they have sought , and extend 95 00:31:55,069 --> 00:31:58,150 compassion they carried in their hearts . 96 00:31:59,459 --> 00:32:01,780 Comfort the families who still feel the 97 00:32:01,780 --> 00:32:04,140 ache of absence . May they know their 98 00:32:04,140 --> 00:32:06,180 loved ones are not forgotten , that 99 00:32:06,180 --> 00:32:08,660 their names are spoken with reverence , 100 00:32:09,140 --> 00:32:11,859 and their legacy lives on in the soul 101 00:32:11,859 --> 00:32:14,890 of our nation . As we stand among the 102 00:32:14,890 --> 00:32:18,119 markers of the fallen , may we be 103 00:32:18,119 --> 00:32:21,500 reminded that liberty is never free . 104 00:32:21,959 --> 00:32:24,560 It is fought and paid for in courage , 105 00:32:24,630 --> 00:32:27,560 in service , and in love . God , we 106 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:30,479 pray for peace , that one day swords 107 00:32:30,479 --> 00:32:33,239 may be beaten into plows shears , and 108 00:32:33,239 --> 00:32:35,640 no mother need weep for a child lost to 109 00:32:35,640 --> 00:32:39,239 war . Until that day , give us strength 110 00:32:39,239 --> 00:32:41,500 to be faithful stewards of the freedom 111 00:32:41,750 --> 00:32:44,760 entrusted to us . In your holy name , 112 00:32:44,829 --> 00:32:48,579 we remember , we honor , and we render 113 00:32:48,579 --> 00:32:50,670 Thanksgiving . Amen . 114 00:32:54,520 --> 00:32:56,869 Please remain standing and join the 115 00:32:56,869 --> 00:32:59,380 United States Army band Pershing Zone 116 00:32:59,380 --> 00:33:02,319 in the playing of our national anthem . 117 00:34:26,239 --> 00:34:28,489 Ladies and gentlemen , General Kaine . 118 00:34:34,449 --> 00:34:36,727 Well , good afternoon , Mr . President , 119 00:34:36,770 --> 00:34:39,560 Mr . Vice President , Secretary Hegseth , 120 00:34:39,689 --> 00:34:41,745 members of the President's cabinet , 121 00:34:41,889 --> 00:34:44,409 distinguished guests , veterans , my 122 00:34:44,409 --> 00:34:46,199 fellow Joint Chiefs , my fellow 123 00:34:46,199 --> 00:34:48,649 Americans , and most importantly , our 124 00:34:48,649 --> 00:34:51,600 Gold Star families . Welcome to 125 00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:54,290 Arlington National Cemetery and thank 126 00:34:54,290 --> 00:34:57,250 you for being here on this special day . 127 00:34:57,909 --> 00:35:01,070 Memorial Day is a day of remembrance , 128 00:35:01,439 --> 00:35:03,719 a day of mourning , and a day of 129 00:35:03,719 --> 00:35:06,939 celebrating the great American spirit , 130 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:10,949 and most of all , gratitude . Gratitude 131 00:35:10,949 --> 00:35:12,838 for the men and women who stepped 132 00:35:12,838 --> 00:35:14,949 forward without hesitation when their 133 00:35:14,949 --> 00:35:18,760 nation called and said simply , send 134 00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:22,360 me . Today as we gather on this sacred 135 00:35:22,360 --> 00:35:25,889 ground surrounded by rows and rows of 136 00:35:25,889 --> 00:35:28,199 beautiful white headstones , we're 137 00:35:28,199 --> 00:35:30,739 reminded as Americans that each 138 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:34,020 marker represents a life cut short , 139 00:35:34,639 --> 00:35:37,939 an individual story of American courage , 140 00:35:38,199 --> 00:35:42,100 tenacity , and grit . This summer , our 141 00:35:42,100 --> 00:35:45,479 nation will mark its 250th anniversary , 142 00:35:46,020 --> 00:35:49,620 and 2.5 centuries have passed since a 143 00:35:49,620 --> 00:35:51,780 group of patriots declared themselves 144 00:35:51,780 --> 00:35:55,320 an independent nation . But words alone 145 00:35:55,699 --> 00:35:58,260 were not enough to deliver on this 146 00:35:58,260 --> 00:36:01,419 declaration . Gaining independence as a 147 00:36:01,419 --> 00:36:04,340 nation required action , and a young 148 00:36:04,340 --> 00:36:06,899 group of soldiers , sailors , and 149 00:36:06,899 --> 00:36:09,770 marines went out into the battlefields 150 00:36:09,770 --> 00:36:12,320 to fight and secure our independence 151 00:36:12,590 --> 00:36:15,540 and set the course for our great nation 152 00:36:15,540 --> 00:36:18,570 that we know today . Many of them lie 153 00:36:18,570 --> 00:36:21,510 here on this hallowed ground . For 154 00:36:21,510 --> 00:36:24,790 250 years , the men and women of 155 00:36:24,790 --> 00:36:27,379 America's armed forces have always been 156 00:36:27,379 --> 00:36:30,189 willing to sacrifice for something 157 00:36:30,189 --> 00:36:32,949 greater than themselves . The patriots 158 00:36:32,949 --> 00:36:34,671 buried here connect the frozen 159 00:36:34,671 --> 00:36:37,830 encampments of Valley Forge to the cold 160 00:36:37,830 --> 00:36:40,510 forests of Europe , the sands of the 161 00:36:40,510 --> 00:36:44,189 Pacific to the mountains of Korea , and 162 00:36:44,189 --> 00:36:47,389 the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts 163 00:36:47,389 --> 00:36:49,919 of the Middle East . Across the 164 00:36:49,919 --> 00:36:52,141 centuries , the character , courage and 165 00:36:52,141 --> 00:36:54,560 commitment of the American warfighter 166 00:36:54,760 --> 00:36:58,340 has never wavered , and it never will . 167 00:36:59,050 --> 00:37:01,969 It's that same war fighting spirit we 168 00:37:01,969 --> 00:37:04,530 recently saw in Operation Epic Fury , 169 00:37:04,969 --> 00:37:08,010 and we remember and honor those who 170 00:37:08,010 --> 00:37:10,729 made the ultimate sacrifice , adding 171 00:37:10,729 --> 00:37:13,530 their names to the story of American 172 00:37:13,530 --> 00:37:16,590 heroism . To the Gold Star families 173 00:37:16,590 --> 00:37:19,250 here today and those watching across 174 00:37:19,250 --> 00:37:21,629 this great nation , we know that for 175 00:37:21,629 --> 00:37:24,689 you , Memorial Day is not a single date 176 00:37:24,689 --> 00:37:27,830 on a calendar , it's literally every 177 00:37:27,830 --> 00:37:30,520 single day . You bear a burden that 178 00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:33,520 most of us cannot comprehend , but you 179 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:36,439 do so with a grace and resilience that 180 00:37:36,439 --> 00:37:39,879 inspires an entire nation . We cannot 181 00:37:39,879 --> 00:37:42,320 replace what you've lost , but we can 182 00:37:42,320 --> 00:37:46,020 promise you this your loved ones' names 183 00:37:46,239 --> 00:37:49,639 will never be forgotten . Their names 184 00:37:49,639 --> 00:37:51,669 are etched into the stones in this 185 00:37:51,669 --> 00:37:54,659 great cemetery , but more importantly , 186 00:37:54,879 --> 00:37:57,080 woven into the fabric of the story of 187 00:37:57,080 --> 00:38:00,219 our nation . May we always strive to be 188 00:38:00,219 --> 00:38:02,610 worthy of their sacrifice , and may we 189 00:38:02,610 --> 00:38:05,889 honor them by continuing to fiercely 190 00:38:05,889 --> 00:38:09,030 defend the nation they died to protect . 191 00:38:09,689 --> 00:38:12,330 We will never forget our fallen and 192 00:38:12,330 --> 00:38:15,600 their families , and may we always keep 193 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:18,090 in mind our members of the deployed 194 00:38:18,090 --> 00:38:20,409 joint force right now and their 195 00:38:20,409 --> 00:38:23,850 families . It is now my distinct honor 196 00:38:23,850 --> 00:38:25,850 and privilege to introduce the 197 00:38:25,850 --> 00:38:28,830 Secretary of War and a combat veteran 198 00:38:28,830 --> 00:38:31,209 himself . Ladies and gentlemen , the 199 00:38:31,209 --> 00:38:33,790 Honorable Pete Hegseth , Mr . Secretary . 200 00:38:45,889 --> 00:38:48,120 Well , Mr . President , Mr . Vice 201 00:38:48,120 --> 00:38:52,050 President , Chairman , thank you . Gold 202 00:38:52,050 --> 00:38:54,419 Star families . Ladies and gentlemen , 203 00:38:54,659 --> 00:38:57,159 thank you for joining us to remember 204 00:38:57,659 --> 00:38:59,770 our fallen warriors . From the sacred 205 00:38:59,770 --> 00:39:03,419 names of bygone eras to the 13 206 00:39:03,419 --> 00:39:06,889 souls of epic fury . On this sacred 207 00:39:06,889 --> 00:39:09,000 occasion for our nation , we take the 208 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:12,080 day for memories of our very best . 209 00:39:12,719 --> 00:39:14,719 They now lie in silent rows here at 210 00:39:14,719 --> 00:39:17,340 Arlington in more than 170 national 211 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:19,959 cemeteries throughout our nation and 212 00:39:19,959 --> 00:39:23,260 across 17 countries around the world . 213 00:39:24,040 --> 00:39:26,262 They answered the call when it mattered 214 00:39:26,262 --> 00:39:29,000 the most . And they gave the last full 215 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:31,959 measure of devotion so that this great 216 00:39:31,959 --> 00:39:35,290 republic of ours might endure . This 217 00:39:35,290 --> 00:39:38,370 day began as decoration day when widows 218 00:39:38,370 --> 00:39:40,481 and orphans and other mourners placed 219 00:39:40,570 --> 00:39:42,770 flowers and ribbons on some 20,000 220 00:39:42,770 --> 00:39:46,000 graves . They were soldiers once . 221 00:39:46,719 --> 00:39:48,719 And as they marched off to battle , 222 00:39:48,719 --> 00:39:51,899 they sang the lines of the hymn . In 223 00:39:51,899 --> 00:39:54,219 the beauty of the lilies , Christ was 224 00:39:54,219 --> 00:39:57,100 born across the sea with a glory in his 225 00:39:57,100 --> 00:40:00,239 bosom which transfigures you and me , 226 00:40:00,459 --> 00:40:04,020 as he died to make men holy . Let us 227 00:40:04,020 --> 00:40:07,939 die to make men free , while God is 228 00:40:07,939 --> 00:40:11,469 marching on . The mourners of that 229 00:40:11,469 --> 00:40:14,030 first decoration day knew what we know 230 00:40:14,030 --> 00:40:16,659 on this Memorial Day . That these 231 00:40:16,659 --> 00:40:19,139 graves are more than names and dates 232 00:40:19,139 --> 00:40:22,090 with a dash in between . Each grave 233 00:40:22,090 --> 00:40:25,540 marker is a story . The young American 234 00:40:25,540 --> 00:40:27,707 on the battlefield away from home , he 235 00:40:27,707 --> 00:40:30,300 stayed in combat with loved ones by 236 00:40:30,300 --> 00:40:32,356 stayed in contact with loved ones by 237 00:40:32,356 --> 00:40:35,239 writing letters . In World War II they 238 00:40:35,239 --> 00:40:38,590 called it Victory mail . GI's wrote of 239 00:40:38,590 --> 00:40:40,868 coming home and watching sunsets again , 240 00:40:40,868 --> 00:40:42,979 of having a cigarette and a beer with 241 00:40:42,979 --> 00:40:45,201 their buddies , going to football games 242 00:40:45,201 --> 00:40:47,340 and on dates , loving their wives , 243 00:40:47,679 --> 00:40:50,120 seeing their children grow tall and 244 00:40:50,120 --> 00:40:53,639 great . Different wars , still the same 245 00:40:53,639 --> 00:40:57,370 letters today . Those we remember today 246 00:40:57,370 --> 00:40:59,830 will never get those sunsets . They'll 247 00:40:59,830 --> 00:41:02,530 never get those dates . They'll never 248 00:41:02,530 --> 00:41:04,729 get to raise their children . Instead 249 00:41:04,729 --> 00:41:06,340 they were delivered from the 250 00:41:06,340 --> 00:41:08,530 battlefields into the arms of a loving 251 00:41:08,530 --> 00:41:11,899 lord and savior . Their families and 252 00:41:11,899 --> 00:41:14,121 their buddies greeting them home with a 253 00:41:14,121 --> 00:41:17,040 folded triangle of stars . And the 254 00:41:17,040 --> 00:41:20,949 piercing sound of a soul bugle playing 255 00:41:20,949 --> 00:41:24,840 taps . Picnics , barbecues , and time 256 00:41:24,840 --> 00:41:26,639 at the beach , those things are 257 00:41:26,639 --> 00:41:28,528 wonderful aspects of Memorial Day 258 00:41:28,528 --> 00:41:30,695 weekend . And we should enjoy them for 259 00:41:30,695 --> 00:41:32,750 the fallen . They would want it that 260 00:41:32,750 --> 00:41:35,270 way . But this solemn day we must 261 00:41:35,270 --> 00:41:37,629 remember that our republic was forged 262 00:41:37,629 --> 00:41:41,080 and purchased with blood . American 263 00:41:41,300 --> 00:41:43,850 blood . So take pause today and 264 00:41:43,850 --> 00:41:45,739 consider the transformation these 265 00:41:45,739 --> 00:41:47,906 warriors went through for our nation . 266 00:41:47,906 --> 00:41:49,889 Share it with your kids and your 267 00:41:49,889 --> 00:41:53,540 grandkids , we must . Ordinary 268 00:41:53,540 --> 00:41:56,909 men When called can become our 269 00:41:56,909 --> 00:42:00,550 heroes . They fought not because they 270 00:42:00,550 --> 00:42:03,010 hate what's in front of them . But 271 00:42:03,010 --> 00:42:05,177 because they love what's behind them . 272 00:42:06,030 --> 00:42:08,590 And so may the ones we remember today 273 00:42:08,590 --> 00:42:11,909 live on in every flag that flies . May 274 00:42:11,909 --> 00:42:14,131 they live on in every voice of a school 275 00:42:14,131 --> 00:42:16,465 child who says the pledge of Allegiance . 276 00:42:16,629 --> 00:42:18,407 May they live in our prayers to 277 00:42:18,407 --> 00:42:21,879 almighty God . Today with this humble 278 00:42:21,879 --> 00:42:24,979 ceremony , we owe at least this . 279 00:42:25,820 --> 00:42:28,060 That with every salute , with every 280 00:42:28,060 --> 00:42:30,570 ceremony , with every parade , with 281 00:42:30,570 --> 00:42:33,560 every prayer , every day and every year , 282 00:42:33,780 --> 00:42:37,209 we remember . That by our 283 00:42:37,209 --> 00:42:40,030 remembrance we guard the eternal flame 284 00:42:40,409 --> 00:42:43,270 that they lit with the price of their 285 00:42:43,270 --> 00:42:46,689 youth . They were Americans from small 286 00:42:46,689 --> 00:42:48,911 towns and big cities , and in the words 287 00:42:48,911 --> 00:42:50,745 of the apostle Paul , they stood 288 00:42:50,745 --> 00:42:52,633 against the darkness of the world 289 00:42:52,633 --> 00:42:54,133 wearing the breastplate of 290 00:42:54,133 --> 00:42:57,189 righteousness . They've now gone on to 291 00:42:57,189 --> 00:42:59,189 their reward , but we remember them 292 00:42:59,189 --> 00:43:02,479 here on this hallowed ground . To them , 293 00:43:03,229 --> 00:43:06,600 To those I say your watch is finished . 294 00:43:07,429 --> 00:43:10,199 But the legacy of what you left is 295 00:43:10,199 --> 00:43:13,280 eternal . You raced to the breach so 296 00:43:13,280 --> 00:43:15,389 that we could walk in freedom and 297 00:43:15,389 --> 00:43:18,780 prosperity . May we live lives 298 00:43:19,030 --> 00:43:22,520 worthy of their sacrifice , and boldly 299 00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:24,631 carry forth their fight for freedom , 300 00:43:24,631 --> 00:43:26,798 picking up the sword of the spirit and 301 00:43:26,798 --> 00:43:30,429 charging forward daily . May 302 00:43:30,439 --> 00:43:33,770 Almighty God bless our warriors . And 303 00:43:33,770 --> 00:43:35,959 may Almighty God bless our fallen and 304 00:43:35,959 --> 00:43:39,350 those they love . Always 305 00:43:39,729 --> 00:43:41,919 remember , and amen . Thank you . 306 00:43:53,629 --> 00:43:56,800 Ladies . Please welcome special guest 307 00:43:56,800 --> 00:43:59,399 Craig Morgan and the United States Army 308 00:43:59,399 --> 00:44:01,949 band performing soldier . 309 00:44:13,810 --> 00:44:14,810 Ready ? 310 00:44:37,290 --> 00:44:38,449 To what ? 311 00:44:57,209 --> 00:45:00,729 Well Get you through it nice and slow 312 00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:03,300 while the world's spinning out of 313 00:45:03,439 --> 00:45:04,439 control . 314 00:45:08,100 --> 00:45:12,050 It's great . The 315 00:45:12,050 --> 00:45:14,489 driver was the use and that's why it's 316 00:45:14,489 --> 00:45:15,989 called a moment of truth . 317 00:45:21,800 --> 00:45:25,010 if you don't You I'll be . 318 00:45:30,310 --> 00:45:31,919 I know you don't do . 319 00:45:34,159 --> 00:45:37,100 and I still When you 320 00:45:38,590 --> 00:45:42,439 Told you Be your soldier . 321 00:45:49,449 --> 00:45:52,300 Always on the longest job . Oh they 322 00:45:52,300 --> 00:45:53,300 build the . 323 00:45:56,469 --> 00:46:00,350 it . I 324 00:46:02,510 --> 00:46:05,229 Hiding everywhere . Trying to be as 325 00:46:05,229 --> 00:46:07,389 still as a stone . So . 326 00:46:21,469 --> 00:46:24,479 you don't . I 327 00:46:26,979 --> 00:46:30,300 And you You do when you get . 328 00:46:31,469 --> 00:46:32,469 Be your soul . 329 00:46:45,649 --> 00:46:46,689 And I'll get it . 330 00:46:51,989 --> 00:46:52,679 If you 331 00:47:08,969 --> 00:47:09,979 You're so 332 00:47:35,459 --> 00:47:36,459 No , no 333 00:47:52,739 --> 00:47:55,110 Ladies and gentlemen , Vice President 334 00:47:55,110 --> 00:47:56,250 JD Vance . 335 00:48:11,649 --> 00:48:14,840 Hey Thank you all , and Mr . President . 336 00:48:15,949 --> 00:48:19,330 Mr . Secretary , Mr . Chairman , All of 337 00:48:19,330 --> 00:48:21,552 our honored guests , but especially our 338 00:48:21,552 --> 00:48:24,159 Gold Star families . I want to say just 339 00:48:24,179 --> 00:48:26,379 a few things today because I , I 340 00:48:26,379 --> 00:48:28,546 believe that the most important lesson 341 00:48:28,546 --> 00:48:30,889 of Memorial Day is perhaps that all of 342 00:48:30,889 --> 00:48:33,459 us owe a debt . That we owe a debt to 343 00:48:33,459 --> 00:48:35,570 the people who went overseas and gave 344 00:48:35,570 --> 00:48:37,515 their lives that the United States 345 00:48:37,515 --> 00:48:39,860 might be prosperous and peaceful and 346 00:48:39,860 --> 00:48:42,300 free , that we owe a debt to the people 347 00:48:42,300 --> 00:48:45,340 who put on a uniform , knowing they 348 00:48:45,340 --> 00:48:47,820 might never come back . And indeed 349 00:48:47,820 --> 00:48:50,260 today we pay tribute to those who never 350 00:48:50,260 --> 00:48:52,469 came back . I think like a lot of 351 00:48:52,469 --> 00:48:54,691 veterans and we're joined by so many of 352 00:48:54,691 --> 00:48:58,030 you , sometimes Memorial Day is the 353 00:48:58,030 --> 00:49:00,389 most somber and the most sacred of the 354 00:49:00,389 --> 00:49:03,229 days on the American calendar . People 355 00:49:03,229 --> 00:49:05,285 will come up to our veterans and say 356 00:49:05,285 --> 00:49:07,396 things like Happy Memorial Day or may 357 00:49:07,396 --> 00:49:10,020 you have a blessed Memorial Day . And 358 00:49:10,020 --> 00:49:12,020 those of us who served know acutely 359 00:49:12,020 --> 00:49:14,659 that today is not for all veterans as 360 00:49:14,659 --> 00:49:16,770 much as we love all of our veterans . 361 00:49:17,060 --> 00:49:19,227 Today is for those veterans who put on 362 00:49:19,227 --> 00:49:21,500 the uniform , who went overseas and who 363 00:49:21,500 --> 00:49:24,649 never came home . When I think about 364 00:49:24,649 --> 00:49:26,969 the debt that we owe them , I think 365 00:49:26,969 --> 00:49:29,080 about all the things that they gave , 366 00:49:29,080 --> 00:49:31,191 which can't be measured in dollars or 367 00:49:31,191 --> 00:49:34,050 in the things of this world , but are 368 00:49:34,050 --> 00:49:37,090 measured in things like weddings that 369 00:49:37,090 --> 00:49:39,629 they never got to attend , children 370 00:49:39,840 --> 00:49:42,209 that they never saw grow up , daughters 371 00:49:42,209 --> 00:49:44,431 and sons that they never got to hug and 372 00:49:44,431 --> 00:49:46,889 kiss again , loved ones , husbands and 373 00:49:46,889 --> 00:49:50,070 wives , they traded . Every 374 00:49:50,330 --> 00:49:52,370 moment , from the moment where they 375 00:49:52,370 --> 00:49:54,570 gave their lives to the moment where 376 00:49:54,570 --> 00:49:56,403 they would ultimately meet their 377 00:49:56,403 --> 00:49:58,626 natural end , every single one of those 378 00:49:58,626 --> 00:50:00,919 moments they gave up that the United 379 00:50:00,919 --> 00:50:04,250 States might remain the freest and best 380 00:50:04,250 --> 00:50:07,080 country in the entire world . What an 381 00:50:07,080 --> 00:50:09,629 amazing thing . What an amazing gift . 382 00:50:18,669 --> 00:50:20,780 On this Memorial Day , I just ask two 383 00:50:20,780 --> 00:50:23,100 things of all of our fellow Americans . 384 00:50:23,189 --> 00:50:26,229 The first is that we be the very best 385 00:50:26,229 --> 00:50:29,320 version of ourselves in honor of those 386 00:50:29,320 --> 00:50:31,939 who gave everything that this nation 387 00:50:32,149 --> 00:50:33,149 might be worthy . 388 00:50:40,370 --> 00:50:42,592 To all the husbands and fathers that we 389 00:50:42,592 --> 00:50:45,260 be the best husbands and dads that we 390 00:50:45,260 --> 00:50:47,620 can , to all the mothers and wives that 391 00:50:47,620 --> 00:50:50,050 they be the best moms and wives that 392 00:50:50,050 --> 00:50:52,219 they can , to the sons and daughters 393 00:50:52,219 --> 00:50:54,479 that they be the very best version of 394 00:50:54,479 --> 00:50:56,368 themselves . And that second , We 395 00:50:56,368 --> 00:50:58,620 always remember that every moment that 396 00:50:58,620 --> 00:51:00,953 we're able to enjoy with our loved ones , 397 00:51:00,953 --> 00:51:03,120 everything that gives our life and our 398 00:51:03,120 --> 00:51:05,580 nation meaning and purpose , was given 399 00:51:05,580 --> 00:51:08,419 to us , often by total strangers who 400 00:51:08,419 --> 00:51:10,530 laid down their lives that this might 401 00:51:10,530 --> 00:51:12,820 be the best nation in the history of 402 00:51:12,820 --> 00:51:14,899 the world . And finally , 403 00:51:22,370 --> 00:51:24,703 And finally , to our Gold Star families , 404 00:51:24,889 --> 00:51:26,778 I hope you know that I will never 405 00:51:26,778 --> 00:51:30,489 forget . I'll never forget your loved 406 00:51:30,489 --> 00:51:32,929 ones , that the good life that I have 407 00:51:32,929 --> 00:51:34,429 and that my family have is 408 00:51:34,429 --> 00:51:36,629 fundamentally because you paid a debt 409 00:51:36,850 --> 00:51:39,449 that I can never repay . I'll never 410 00:51:39,449 --> 00:51:42,250 forget their smiling faces . I'll never 411 00:51:42,250 --> 00:51:44,139 forget their skill and bravery in 412 00:51:44,139 --> 00:51:46,361 battle . I'll never forget that all the 413 00:51:46,361 --> 00:51:48,472 moments that I'm able to have with my 414 00:51:48,472 --> 00:51:50,639 family , they're not able to have with 415 00:51:50,639 --> 00:51:52,806 theirs . And most of all , I know from 416 00:51:52,806 --> 00:51:54,917 every American across every political 417 00:51:54,917 --> 00:51:57,290 persuasion . That we love you , we're 418 00:51:57,290 --> 00:51:59,560 grateful to you , we're proud of you , 419 00:51:59,850 --> 00:52:02,610 and we commit to make the United States 420 00:52:02,610 --> 00:52:05,850 of America the very best version of 421 00:52:05,850 --> 00:52:09,149 itself , and that is how we honor those 422 00:52:09,149 --> 00:52:11,316 who gave their lives to this country . 423 00:52:12,189 --> 00:52:12,949 And without 424 00:52:19,050 --> 00:52:21,379 And without further ado , it is my 425 00:52:21,379 --> 00:52:24,340 great honor to introduce the 45th and 426 00:52:24,340 --> 00:52:27,540 47th commander in chief of these United 427 00:52:27,540 --> 00:52:29,651 States , President Donald J . Trump . 428 00:52:29,651 --> 00:52:30,651 Mr . President , 429 00:52:50,199 --> 00:52:52,477 Well , thank you very much , everybody . 430 00:52:52,709 --> 00:52:54,987 What a beautiful day , as it turns out . 431 00:52:55,179 --> 00:52:57,459 It's just perfect . We'd rather have 432 00:52:57,459 --> 00:53:00,020 this in the heat . It's just beautiful . 433 00:53:00,300 --> 00:53:02,489 It's always beautiful being here . My 434 00:53:02,489 --> 00:53:06,239 5th time . And uh it 435 00:53:06,239 --> 00:53:10,239 never changes . Vice President Vance , 436 00:53:10,709 --> 00:53:13,959 Secretary Hegseth , Chairman Cain , 437 00:53:14,199 --> 00:53:17,159 members of the cabinet . Members of the 438 00:53:17,159 --> 00:53:19,270 United States armed forces , veterans 439 00:53:19,270 --> 00:53:23,239 and fellow citizens . Today here 440 00:53:23,239 --> 00:53:25,350 at Arlington , a very special place . 441 00:53:26,669 --> 00:53:30,439 That he burial grounds , battlefields 442 00:53:30,439 --> 00:53:33,280 across the country . And around the 443 00:53:33,280 --> 00:53:36,739 world we unite . In solemn 444 00:53:37,070 --> 00:53:41,020 observance with reverend hearts , 445 00:53:41,110 --> 00:53:43,110 we honor those who fell so that our 446 00:53:43,110 --> 00:53:46,489 republic might stand . Those who died 447 00:53:46,489 --> 00:53:48,600 so that our nation could live , those 448 00:53:48,600 --> 00:53:51,989 who gave up their sacred light on earth . 449 00:53:52,820 --> 00:53:55,540 So that the sublime light of American 450 00:53:55,540 --> 00:53:59,439 freedom would shine forever and ever , 451 00:54:00,540 --> 00:54:04,100 this Memorial Day , we salute them , 452 00:54:04,459 --> 00:54:07,370 we exalt them , and we thank them for 453 00:54:07,370 --> 00:54:10,419 all that we have and for all that they 454 00:54:10,419 --> 00:54:13,969 gave . They gave everything . God bless 455 00:54:13,969 --> 00:54:16,290 our fallen heroes . We're joined today 456 00:54:16,290 --> 00:54:19,850 by some of those they left behind our 457 00:54:19,850 --> 00:54:22,149 incredible Gold Star families , 458 00:54:22,969 --> 00:54:26,010 incredible people . To every person 459 00:54:26,010 --> 00:54:29,169 here and across America who holds tight 460 00:54:29,169 --> 00:54:31,530 to the memory of a warrior taken from 461 00:54:31,530 --> 00:54:34,010 them , we will never ever forget the 462 00:54:34,010 --> 00:54:37,429 ones you loved . Gold Star family 463 00:54:37,429 --> 00:54:40,850 members , please stand , receive our 464 00:54:40,850 --> 00:54:42,570 thanks , please , thank you . 465 00:54:58,120 --> 00:54:59,120 Thank you . 466 00:55:05,850 --> 00:55:09,169 Thank you very much , my honor . Less 467 00:55:09,169 --> 00:55:12,090 than 6 weeks from now , our nation will 468 00:55:12,090 --> 00:55:16,050 reach a historic milestone 250 years of 469 00:55:16,050 --> 00:55:18,629 majestic American independence , 470 00:55:18,709 --> 00:55:19,709 something . 471 00:55:26,600 --> 00:55:29,340 But it's only right that first we 472 00:55:29,340 --> 00:55:31,562 remember the immense sacrifice that has 473 00:55:31,562 --> 00:55:34,560 been brought to us and this 474 00:55:34,560 --> 00:55:37,919 momentous anniversary year . That's 475 00:55:37,919 --> 00:55:39,975 what it is , it's a momentous year . 476 00:55:41,340 --> 00:55:43,750 Before we hail the founding , we honor 477 00:55:43,750 --> 00:55:45,949 the fallen . Before we celebrate the 478 00:55:45,949 --> 00:55:49,179 triumph , we pay the tribute . Before 479 00:55:49,179 --> 00:55:51,179 we crown the victory , we count the 480 00:55:51,179 --> 00:55:54,330 cost . Today we are reminded that there 481 00:55:54,709 --> 00:55:56,709 could be no 4th of July without 482 00:55:56,709 --> 00:55:58,653 America's armed forces , and there 483 00:55:58,653 --> 00:56:00,709 could be no Independence Day without 484 00:56:00,830 --> 00:56:04,610 Memorial Day . We owe our liberty , our 485 00:56:04,610 --> 00:56:07,250 self-government , the glories of our 486 00:56:07,250 --> 00:56:10,050 history , and our very nation itself to 487 00:56:10,050 --> 00:56:12,510 the generations who paid for it with 488 00:56:13,270 --> 00:56:15,800 everything . They had the ultimate 489 00:56:15,800 --> 00:56:19,439 sacrifice . The first Americans to give 490 00:56:19,439 --> 00:56:22,219 their lives in battle fell on April . 491 00:56:23,100 --> 00:56:26,959 1775 when 8 patriots were cut down 492 00:56:27,500 --> 00:56:30,780 by redcoats . Those 493 00:56:30,780 --> 00:56:34,330 guns , they were shot on Lexington 494 00:56:34,330 --> 00:56:38,229 Green . They had answered the call 495 00:56:38,229 --> 00:56:41,070 to muster against a force 5 times their 496 00:56:41,070 --> 00:56:43,310 strength . They said at the time , the 497 00:56:43,310 --> 00:56:45,989 greatest in the world in defense of 498 00:56:45,989 --> 00:56:48,090 their cherished rights and their 499 00:56:48,189 --> 00:56:51,120 cherished liberty . As the British 500 00:56:51,120 --> 00:56:52,842 approached the Massachusetts , 501 00:56:53,139 --> 00:56:55,979 militiamen summoned destiny itself , 502 00:56:56,129 --> 00:56:58,560 saying , if they mean to have a war , 503 00:56:59,219 --> 00:57:01,020 let it begin right here . 504 00:57:08,850 --> 00:57:11,610 Caleb Harrington was 23 years old when 505 00:57:11,610 --> 00:57:13,850 he accompanied his father to the green 506 00:57:13,850 --> 00:57:17,149 that day . Torn apart from each other 507 00:57:17,149 --> 00:57:20,719 in the chaos of combat . That American 508 00:57:20,719 --> 00:57:23,320 son died trying to fight his way back 509 00:57:23,320 --> 00:57:25,431 to his father . He wanted to get back 510 00:57:25,431 --> 00:57:28,790 to Dad . Caleb's cousin Jonathan was 511 00:57:28,790 --> 00:57:31,469 struck down at age 31 , shot within the 512 00:57:31,469 --> 00:57:33,989 sight of his home and his young wife 513 00:57:33,989 --> 00:57:36,850 and child who awaited his return . 514 00:57:37,959 --> 00:57:41,600 Jonathan crawled bleeding back to them 515 00:57:41,600 --> 00:57:45,489 to die on his own doorstep . For 516 00:57:45,489 --> 00:57:48,989 a final . Terrible but beautiful 517 00:57:48,989 --> 00:57:52,050 farewell . His widow and orphan 518 00:57:52,709 --> 00:57:54,820 were perhaps the very first Gold Star 519 00:57:54,820 --> 00:57:57,429 family in a long unbroken chain that 520 00:57:57,429 --> 00:58:00,709 reaches up through the ages to us right 521 00:58:00,709 --> 00:58:03,760 here today . When our founding fathers 522 00:58:03,760 --> 00:58:06,239 put the ideas of the Declaration of 523 00:58:06,239 --> 00:58:08,760 Independence to paper in Philadelphia , 524 00:58:09,280 --> 00:58:12,520 they signed and sealed an oath that had 525 00:58:12,520 --> 00:58:14,353 already been written in blood by 526 00:58:14,353 --> 00:58:16,800 patriots at Lexington , Concord , and 527 00:58:16,800 --> 00:58:20,280 Bunker Hill . The sacrifice birth , the 528 00:58:20,280 --> 00:58:22,679 most incredible and exceptional nation 529 00:58:23,120 --> 00:58:26,560 in all of history . And our nation is 530 00:58:26,560 --> 00:58:29,659 doing better today than it's ever done 531 00:58:30,120 --> 00:58:30,659 before . 532 00:58:34,540 --> 00:58:35,540 Right . 533 00:58:40,419 --> 00:58:42,830 That's right . The cause of 534 00:58:42,830 --> 00:58:45,360 independence exploded from that part of 535 00:58:45,360 --> 00:58:48,340 the American soul . That will not be 536 00:58:48,340 --> 00:58:50,899 tamed , that will never be conquered , 537 00:58:51,719 --> 00:58:53,780 that will rather face death than to 538 00:58:53,780 --> 00:58:57,120 live as slaves to the arbitrary will of 539 00:58:57,580 --> 00:59:01,479 another . This is the unyielding spirit 540 00:59:01,479 --> 00:59:03,850 that has always set Americans apart and 541 00:59:03,850 --> 00:59:06,280 driven generations of American warriors 542 00:59:06,280 --> 00:59:09,120 into battle , their chests beating with 543 00:59:09,120 --> 00:59:13,040 a cry that says , we will 544 00:59:13,040 --> 00:59:16,139 govern ourselves . We will 545 00:59:17,040 --> 00:59:19,639 control our destiny . We will bow to no 546 00:59:19,639 --> 00:59:22,719 one but the righteous God who made us 547 00:59:22,719 --> 00:59:25,320 and who gave us our rights and blessed 548 00:59:25,320 --> 00:59:28,139 this land of free and the bravest of 549 00:59:28,139 --> 00:59:31,649 the brave . 10 days into the legendary 550 00:59:31,649 --> 00:59:34,370 Battle of the Bulge in World War II , 551 00:59:34,530 --> 00:59:37,760 Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ware . Led 11 552 00:59:37,760 --> 00:59:41,659 men in a tank against entrenched German 553 00:59:41,659 --> 00:59:44,959 positions , the toughest positions 554 00:59:44,959 --> 00:59:47,520 anywhere in the world . Half the patrol , 555 00:59:47,800 --> 00:59:49,744 including Ware himself , were soon 556 00:59:49,744 --> 00:59:53,459 wounded , yet still he killed 5 enemy 557 00:59:53,459 --> 00:59:56,520 riflemen , demolished 3 German machine 558 00:59:56,520 --> 00:59:58,879 gun nests , forced a 4th to surrender , 559 00:59:59,239 --> 01:00:02,239 and captured the hill . For his heroism , 560 01:00:02,320 --> 01:00:04,989 he received the Congressional Medal of 561 01:00:04,989 --> 01:00:08,209 Honor . Unlike most drafted soldiers , 562 01:00:08,330 --> 01:00:10,552 Ware stayed in the Army and rose to the 563 01:00:10,552 --> 01:00:12,810 rank of general , a highly respected 564 01:00:12,810 --> 01:00:15,570 general . In Vietnam as commander of 565 01:00:15,570 --> 01:00:18,570 the First Infantry , the Big red one 566 01:00:18,570 --> 01:00:19,570 they called it . 567 01:00:22,560 --> 01:00:26,449 That's very nice . He led from the 568 01:00:26,449 --> 01:00:30,260 front and in 1968 , that's where he 569 01:00:30,260 --> 01:00:33,219 was shot down surveying enemy positions 570 01:00:33,219 --> 01:00:36,060 for the famous assault on Hill 571 01:00:36,060 --> 01:00:39,780 222 , known as the 572 01:00:39,780 --> 01:00:41,947 fighting general , he's buried here in 573 01:00:41,947 --> 01:00:44,530 Arlington and with us is his grandson 574 01:00:44,530 --> 01:00:48,179 and namesake , Staff Sergeant Keith 575 01:00:48,179 --> 01:00:51,889 Ware at Air Force . Veteran Keith , 576 01:00:51,939 --> 01:00:54,409 where are you , Keith ? Where are you , 577 01:00:54,419 --> 01:00:55,586 Keith ? Hi , Keith . 578 01:01:04,520 --> 01:01:06,520 Thank you very much . Great honor . 579 01:01:07,689 --> 01:01:09,745 We're also honored to be joined by a 580 01:01:09,745 --> 01:01:12,570 man who , like General Ware , is a 581 01:01:12,570 --> 01:01:15,649 veteran of the largest battle in US 582 01:01:15,649 --> 01:01:18,229 Army history , the Battle of the Bulge . 583 01:01:19,179 --> 01:01:22,590 At 15 , Harry Miller lied about his age 584 01:01:22,590 --> 01:01:25,370 to enlist and was soon fighting to stop 585 01:01:25,370 --> 01:01:27,870 the SS Panzer divisions as part of the 586 01:01:27,870 --> 01:01:31,850 famed 740th Tank Battalion , 587 01:01:32,110 --> 01:01:34,750 the Daredevils they were called , of 588 01:01:34,750 --> 01:01:36,909 which he is among the last surviving 589 01:01:36,909 --> 01:01:40,649 members at 97 years old . Within 590 01:01:40,649 --> 01:01:42,649 6 months after the battle , Harry's 591 01:01:42,649 --> 01:01:44,750 unit lost 42 comrades . He's 592 01:01:45,409 --> 01:01:47,298 remembering them today . Sergeant 593 01:01:47,298 --> 01:01:50,370 Miller , it is a true honor to have you 594 01:01:50,370 --> 01:01:51,926 with us , Sergeant Miller . 595 01:02:25,340 --> 01:02:28,850 And it looks great Thank you . Many of 596 01:02:28,850 --> 01:02:31,360 the greatest men of that generation 597 01:02:31,689 --> 01:02:33,889 followed a long and epic path from 598 01:02:33,889 --> 01:02:37,080 World War II to Korea and to Vietnam . 599 01:02:37,689 --> 01:02:40,389 Major Charles Kelly was the father of 600 01:02:40,850 --> 01:02:43,370 aggressive dust-off helicopter flying 601 01:02:43,370 --> 01:02:45,530 that made Army medical evacuation 602 01:02:45,530 --> 01:02:49,050 pilots among the most fearless . In 603 01:02:49,050 --> 01:02:50,939 Vietnam , the greatest helicopter 604 01:02:50,939 --> 01:02:53,050 pilots , they say , that ever lived . 605 01:02:53,270 --> 01:02:55,381 Like Sergeant Miller Charles enlisted 606 01:02:55,381 --> 01:02:59,310 to serve in World War II at age 15 . He 607 01:02:59,310 --> 01:03:01,909 was wounded at the Battle of Aiken . 608 01:03:02,649 --> 01:03:05,760 And went on to fight in Korea , but 609 01:03:05,760 --> 01:03:08,530 flying helicopter ambulances in Vietnam 610 01:03:08,530 --> 01:03:11,370 is what etched his name into history 611 01:03:11,370 --> 01:03:13,426 since I have been here , he wrote in 612 01:03:13,426 --> 01:03:16,330 1964 . We have evacuated 613 01:03:16,330 --> 01:03:20,120 1800 casualties , and in the last three 614 01:03:20,120 --> 01:03:23,610 months we've flown 242 hours at night . 615 01:03:24,350 --> 01:03:26,572 No other unit can match this , and they 616 01:03:26,572 --> 01:03:28,919 flew the most dangerous routes probably 617 01:03:28,919 --> 01:03:31,560 in the history of warfare . Two weeks 618 01:03:31,560 --> 01:03:33,959 later , under brutal enemy fire , Kelly 619 01:03:33,959 --> 01:03:36,379 refused to withdraw until he had loaded 620 01:03:37,239 --> 01:03:40,040 the wounded aboard . As he prepared for 621 01:03:40,040 --> 01:03:42,151 takeoff , an enemy bullet pierced his 622 01:03:42,151 --> 01:03:45,310 heart . Yet Charles Kelly's heroic life 623 01:03:45,310 --> 01:03:47,909 saving style lived on . His comrades 624 01:03:47,909 --> 01:03:51,229 and command passed on to Captain 625 01:03:51,229 --> 01:03:53,719 Patrick Henry Brady , and 4 years later , 626 01:03:53,820 --> 01:03:57,750 Brady piloted 3 damaged helicopters in 627 01:03:57,750 --> 01:04:00,429 turn to evacuate an incredible 51 628 01:04:00,429 --> 01:04:03,590 wounded warriors under intense fire , 629 01:04:03,790 --> 01:04:06,012 fire like no one has seen up until that 630 01:04:06,012 --> 01:04:09,780 point . For this he received also the 631 01:04:09,780 --> 01:04:13,139 Congressional Medal of Honor . General 632 01:04:13,139 --> 01:04:16,459 Brady is with us at 89 years old as we 633 01:04:16,459 --> 01:04:19,669 salute his fallen mentor , Charles 634 01:04:19,669 --> 01:04:21,891 Kelly . Thank you very much . Thank you 635 01:04:21,891 --> 01:04:22,891 for being here . 636 01:04:42,290 --> 01:04:45,250 Thank you very much . Sergeant First 637 01:04:45,250 --> 01:04:47,860 Class Matthew McClintock enlisted in 638 01:04:47,860 --> 01:04:51,300 the Army in 2006 and became a very 639 01:04:51,300 --> 01:04:54,739 special Green Beret . In 2016 , he 640 01:04:54,739 --> 01:04:56,959 found himself in an hours-long 641 01:04:57,500 --> 01:05:00,739 firefight with Afghan terrorists . 642 01:05:01,370 --> 01:05:03,481 When a comrade was severely wounded , 643 01:05:03,729 --> 01:05:06,250 Matthew wanted to find a landing zone 644 01:05:06,250 --> 01:05:09,520 for a medevac rescue , very dangerous , 645 01:05:09,729 --> 01:05:12,870 horrible , horrible way to be flying . 646 01:05:13,449 --> 01:05:15,610 He was reminded of the dangers , but 647 01:05:15,610 --> 01:05:17,832 Matthew replied , We have to save him . 648 01:05:17,929 --> 01:05:20,879 We have to do it . Running out in the 649 01:05:20,879 --> 01:05:23,080 face of mortars and rocket propelled 650 01:05:23,080 --> 01:05:26,159 grenades , he went to work but was soon 651 01:05:26,159 --> 01:05:28,560 gravely wounded . He was hit from every 652 01:05:28,560 --> 01:05:31,959 possible angle . Matthew fell that day , 653 01:05:32,040 --> 01:05:34,040 but the soldier he gave his life to 654 01:05:34,040 --> 01:05:37,280 save survived and thrived , and Matthew 655 01:05:37,280 --> 01:05:40,770 was awarded the Silver Star . We're 656 01:05:40,770 --> 01:05:42,689 deeply honored to be joined by 657 01:05:42,689 --> 01:05:44,856 Matthew's mother , Joyce , his widow , 658 01:05:44,856 --> 01:05:47,439 Allie , and his precious young son 659 01:05:47,439 --> 01:05:50,830 Declan . Here to remember Matthew and 660 01:05:50,830 --> 01:05:54,629 his grave in Section 60 , 10 years 661 01:05:54,629 --> 01:05:57,110 later . So Joyce and Allie and Declan , 662 01:05:57,149 --> 01:06:00,050 we salute Sergeant Matthew McClintock 663 01:06:00,310 --> 01:06:03,229 as an American hero . Please . Thank 664 01:06:03,229 --> 01:06:04,229 you . 665 01:06:24,370 --> 01:06:26,592 These are tremendous people . These are 666 01:06:26,592 --> 01:06:29,679 brave , brave people . In two wars 667 01:06:29,679 --> 01:06:32,879 recently we've lost a total of 13 668 01:06:32,879 --> 01:06:35,810 service members in Venezuela . which 669 01:06:35,810 --> 01:06:38,590 was a complete and total victory where 670 01:06:38,770 --> 01:06:40,770 we're working very closely with the 671 01:06:40,770 --> 01:06:44,219 Venezuelan government right now . We 672 01:06:44,219 --> 01:06:46,979 took that over in one day and we lost 673 01:06:46,979 --> 01:06:50,020 no one . In Operation Epic Fury , we 674 01:06:50,020 --> 01:06:52,429 lost 13 wonderful souls , wonderful 675 01:06:52,429 --> 01:06:54,979 special people . These incredible men 676 01:06:54,979 --> 01:06:57,340 and women gave their lives to ensure 677 01:06:57,340 --> 01:06:59,540 that the world's number one state 678 01:06:59,540 --> 01:07:01,739 sponsor of terror will never have a 679 01:07:01,739 --> 01:07:03,906 nuclear weapon . Oh , and they won't . 680 01:07:03,979 --> 01:07:06,201 They will never have a nuclear weapon . 681 01:07:06,201 --> 01:07:08,201 I'm sure , I'm sure you know that . 682 01:07:13,370 --> 01:07:16,370 One of them was Major Ariana Savino 683 01:07:16,370 --> 01:07:20,209 Lindsay and We're joined by our great 684 01:07:20,209 --> 01:07:23,850 family , Omara , Darren , Zevin , 685 01:07:24,489 --> 01:07:28,270 and Wick . Stand up , please , please . 686 01:07:30,020 --> 01:07:32,659 There he is , there he is . Thank you 687 01:07:32,659 --> 01:07:33,659 very much . 688 01:07:36,560 --> 01:07:37,560 Thank you , Vic . 689 01:07:53,780 --> 01:07:55,979 Thank you very much to all of you , 690 01:07:56,060 --> 01:07:58,310 Ariana's selfless gift will not be in 691 01:07:58,310 --> 01:08:02,080 vain . Our debt to you is everlasting , 692 01:08:02,389 --> 01:08:04,820 and it's always going to end in victory . 693 01:08:04,969 --> 01:08:07,419 We're having victories all over the 694 01:08:07,419 --> 01:08:09,739 place , more than we've had in many , 695 01:08:09,820 --> 01:08:13,399 many decades . Scripture tells us 696 01:08:13,739 --> 01:08:16,819 precious is the sight of the Lord is 697 01:08:16,819 --> 01:08:19,319 the death of his faithful servants . 698 01:08:19,950 --> 01:08:23,459 400,000 souls rest on these grounds , 699 01:08:23,540 --> 01:08:26,600 these beautiful grounds . In the sacred 700 01:08:26,600 --> 01:08:29,560 soil which is first consecrated in the 701 01:08:29,560 --> 01:08:31,879 hours of America's greatest division to 702 01:08:31,879 --> 01:08:35,500 be eternal symbol of national unity , 703 01:08:35,890 --> 01:08:38,450 it cannot be by chance alone that the 704 01:08:38,450 --> 01:08:40,617 very first service member laid to rest 705 01:08:40,617 --> 01:08:43,879 here in this place of supreme sacrifice 706 01:08:43,879 --> 01:08:46,569 was a Union soldier by the name of 707 01:08:46,569 --> 01:08:48,959 Private Chris Mann . 708 01:08:50,209 --> 01:08:53,259 Private William Henry Christman 709 01:08:53,939 --> 01:08:57,779 of Pennsylvania , who died at 19 years 710 01:08:57,779 --> 01:09:01,648 old . He was A great young 711 01:09:01,648 --> 01:09:04,068 man , they say . Beside him are more 712 01:09:04,068 --> 01:09:06,539 than 18,000 other young men named 713 01:09:06,539 --> 01:09:09,668 William , over 20,000 named John , over 714 01:09:09,668 --> 01:09:13,409 13,000 named James . 715 01:09:14,548 --> 01:09:18,088 Joined over time by Isaac , Elijah , 716 01:09:18,369 --> 01:09:21,329 Earls , Hanks , Helens , Wands . 717 01:09:23,209 --> 01:09:27,160 Margaret's Marius . Donald's . 718 01:09:28,958 --> 01:09:32,910 Not too many . And others whose names 719 01:09:32,910 --> 01:09:35,350 tell the true story of American 720 01:09:35,350 --> 01:09:37,990 greatness and greatness it is here 721 01:09:37,990 --> 01:09:40,470 beneath arching trees and white stones 722 01:09:40,470 --> 01:09:43,870 so beautiful , these many are made one 723 01:09:43,870 --> 01:09:46,870 again , united forever as brothers and 724 01:09:46,870 --> 01:09:49,700 sisters in arms and children of our 725 01:09:49,700 --> 01:09:52,628 fathers in heaven . From coast to coast , 726 01:09:52,749 --> 01:09:55,269 from proud cities to humble towns , and 727 01:09:55,269 --> 01:09:57,949 from heartland fields , from every race 728 01:09:57,949 --> 01:10:00,488 and religion , they came because they 729 01:10:00,488 --> 01:10:02,619 could not bear the thought that the 730 01:10:02,619 --> 01:10:05,749 nation they love so much might ask for 731 01:10:05,749 --> 01:10:09,439 heroes and hear no answer . But they 732 01:10:09,439 --> 01:10:11,879 answered , and they answered very , 733 01:10:11,959 --> 01:10:15,799 very loudly at Ticonderoga and 734 01:10:15,799 --> 01:10:18,560 San Juan Hill , at Manila Bay and 735 01:10:18,560 --> 01:10:21,819 Midway , at Point du Hoc and 736 01:10:21,819 --> 01:10:24,640 Busan , the courage of the American 737 01:10:24,640 --> 01:10:27,080 warrior has forged a path through every 738 01:10:27,080 --> 01:10:30,279 sea and . Every place that's marked a 739 01:10:30,279 --> 01:10:33,600 trail to every corner on the earth in 740 01:10:33,600 --> 01:10:37,160 250 years , America's heroes have saved 741 01:10:37,160 --> 01:10:39,109 more lives , freed more captives , 742 01:10:39,479 --> 01:10:41,479 accomplished more good , and spread 743 01:10:41,479 --> 01:10:45,279 more hope than any other people at any 744 01:10:45,279 --> 01:10:47,459 time in the history of the world . 745 01:10:48,439 --> 01:10:50,990 Whole nations , no liberty today . 746 01:10:51,140 --> 01:10:53,029 Entire generations no freedom . 747 01:10:53,189 --> 01:10:55,950 Billions and billions of people have 748 01:10:55,950 --> 01:10:58,172 been delivered from poverty , tyranny , 749 01:10:58,172 --> 01:11:00,319 and oppression . Because of the 750 01:11:00,319 --> 01:11:03,839 sacrifices we honor this day , that's 751 01:11:03,839 --> 01:11:07,520 why from Brittany to Sicily , from 752 01:11:07,520 --> 01:11:10,520 Panama City to Saipan , from the 753 01:11:10,520 --> 01:11:13,279 Netherlands to North Africa to New 754 01:11:13,279 --> 01:11:16,520 Zealand , this whole planet is adorned 755 01:11:16,520 --> 01:11:19,959 with memorials to America's fallen and 756 01:11:19,959 --> 01:11:22,549 to America's greatness . To their 757 01:11:22,549 --> 01:11:25,709 courage carved in marble and engraved 758 01:11:25,709 --> 01:11:29,080 in the hearts of all of mankind , we 759 01:11:29,080 --> 01:11:33,069 will never forget you . From 1776 760 01:11:33,069 --> 01:11:37,069 to 2026 , America has always stood 761 01:11:37,069 --> 01:11:40,330 as a great and moral cause . Our 762 01:11:40,330 --> 01:11:43,189 warriors are no mere mercenaries , they 763 01:11:43,189 --> 01:11:46,029 are guardian angels who stride across 764 01:11:46,029 --> 01:11:48,430 the battlefields of history and stand 765 01:11:48,430 --> 01:11:51,870 watch . Over the highest and most 766 01:11:51,870 --> 01:11:54,950 beautiful plains the human spirit has 767 01:11:54,950 --> 01:11:57,029 ever seen , holding the line between 768 01:11:57,029 --> 01:11:58,750 liberty and tyranny , between 769 01:11:58,750 --> 01:12:02,060 civilization and barbarism . Between 770 01:12:02,060 --> 01:12:05,899 good and evil , wherever the 771 01:12:05,899 --> 01:12:08,379 American soldier walks , wherever he 772 01:12:08,379 --> 01:12:11,350 fights , wherever he fails , And 773 01:12:11,350 --> 01:12:15,089 wherever he falls , He does it for 774 01:12:15,620 --> 01:12:18,500 the destiny of a nation like no other . 775 01:12:18,870 --> 01:12:20,981 There's never been anybody like you . 776 01:12:22,189 --> 01:12:24,759 And for the fate of freedom on this 777 01:12:24,759 --> 01:12:27,919 earth , we salute you like nobody has 778 01:12:27,919 --> 01:12:30,660 ever been saluted before . 779 01:12:39,450 --> 01:12:42,129 By their deaths , those who have gone 780 01:12:42,129 --> 01:12:44,459 before us in battle have redeemed the 781 01:12:44,459 --> 01:12:47,540 promise of our founding for . Each 782 01:12:47,540 --> 01:12:50,870 future generation . They've not just 783 01:12:50,870 --> 01:12:52,981 made the ultimate sacrifice , they've 784 01:12:52,981 --> 01:12:54,990 offered the ultimate proof that we 785 01:12:54,990 --> 01:12:58,189 Americans do indeed love liberty . We 786 01:12:58,189 --> 01:13:00,629 do cherish the self-government given to 787 01:13:00,629 --> 01:13:04,229 us by our forefathers . We do believe 788 01:13:04,229 --> 01:13:06,589 with all our souls in the mission that 789 01:13:06,589 --> 01:13:10,270 God has given to America , and we do 790 01:13:10,270 --> 01:13:12,810 intend with all our strength and heart 791 01:13:13,149 --> 01:13:15,390 to hold high the torch our heroes 792 01:13:15,390 --> 01:13:19,200 handed to us , and we will . Never ever 793 01:13:19,200 --> 01:13:22,439 let it fall . Thank you very much . You 794 01:13:22,439 --> 01:13:25,240 are special , special people . We love 795 01:13:25,240 --> 01:13:27,959 you all . God bless the families of the 796 01:13:27,959 --> 01:13:30,120 fallen . God bless the men and women 797 01:13:30,120 --> 01:13:33,319 who serve , and God bless the United 798 01:13:33,319 --> 01:13:35,652 States of America . Thank you very much . 799 01:14:02,390 --> 01:14:05,390 Remain standing for the plague of taps 800 01:14:05,509 --> 01:14:06,770 and the benediction . 801 01:14:18,689 --> 01:14:19,689 Well 802 01:15:19,140 --> 01:15:20,862 Now received the benediction . 803 01:15:23,060 --> 01:15:26,040 God of all creation , We pray you bless 804 01:15:26,040 --> 01:15:28,680 our nation , our leaders , and those 805 01:15:28,680 --> 01:15:31,270 who make decisions over us with wisdom , 806 01:15:31,680 --> 01:15:35,310 unity , and grace toward all . Now may 807 01:15:35,310 --> 01:15:37,470 the God of peace who provides freedom 808 01:15:37,470 --> 01:15:40,509 together , equip us and guide us as we 809 01:15:40,509 --> 01:15:42,830 leave this place . May we carry the 810 01:15:42,830 --> 01:15:44,830 burden of the brave who paid the 811 01:15:44,830 --> 01:15:47,549 ultimate sacrifice by honoring their 812 01:15:47,549 --> 01:15:49,970 legacy through our pursuit of justice . 813 01:15:51,020 --> 01:15:53,819 And compassion . In your strong name , 814 01:15:53,879 --> 01:15:55,680 I pray . Amen . 815 01:16:09,879 --> 01:16:12,419 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 816 01:16:28,060 --> 01:16:30,600 Please welcome back Craig Morgan and 817 01:16:30,600 --> 01:16:33,479 the United States Army Band performing 818 01:16:33,700 --> 01:16:34,549 Paradise . 819 01:16:59,479 --> 01:17:02,720 They gave me a green uniform and black 820 01:17:02,720 --> 01:17:04,259 boots . My feet 821 01:17:07,180 --> 01:17:09,770 18 and wild as hell . I thought it 822 01:17:09,770 --> 01:17:13,700 would be . He put me on a 823 01:17:13,700 --> 01:17:15,890 plane to some strange . 824 01:17:19,810 --> 01:17:23,049 I say goodbye . Mom and dad fellow . 825 01:17:49,680 --> 01:17:50,240 When you 826 01:17:55,080 --> 01:17:56,399 It's paradise . 827 01:18:02,709 --> 01:18:06,680 Christmas of '89 was a lonely time for 828 01:18:06,680 --> 01:18:10,120 me . I was 829 01:18:10,120 --> 01:18:12,540 probably fine , but it was nothing like 830 01:18:12,540 --> 01:18:16,270 Tennessee . Never thought the 831 01:18:16,270 --> 01:18:19,229 day . To kill a man . 832 01:18:22,419 --> 01:18:25,580 I did not sleep a wink that night , but 833 01:18:25,580 --> 01:18:27,180 we won for Uncle Sam . 834 01:18:40,899 --> 01:18:41,899 to cry . 835 01:18:52,089 --> 01:18:52,600 When you 836 01:19:19,649 --> 01:19:22,649 When you can . 837 01:19:24,859 --> 01:19:26,200 Is peering down 838 01:19:33,209 --> 01:19:34,209 His parents 839 01:19:39,160 --> 01:19:39,600 His 840 01:20:02,930 --> 01:20:05,290 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise as 841 01:20:05,290 --> 01:20:08,600 you are able and remain in place as the 842 01:20:08,600 --> 01:20:10,729 official party departs and the colors 843 01:20:10,729 --> 01:20:11,669 are retired .