Washington – From the National Cemetery of Arlington, outside the capital of the nation, to the American cemetery in Normandy, France, the presidents usually commemorate Fallen Day in sacred land.
In gloomy ceremonies and moving speeches, presidents Remember the military Who died serving the country, even as many Americans associate holidays with a three -day weekend and shopping sales.
Here is a look at what recent presidents have said in the past days of the memorials. Everyone spoke in Arlington in Virginia, except for President George W. Bush:
“The will of some to give their lives so that others can live never stop evoking in us a feeling of astonishment and mystery. One has that feeling here in this sacred field. And I have known that same moving feeling while looking through the rows of white crosses and stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines and military cemeteries here in our own land. Each of the two marks American hero. ” ” – May 31, 1982.
“My fellow citizens, on this day of the fallen, we commit ourselves to a future worthy of their sacrifice.” – May 25, 1998.
“The day will come when no one stays to know them. When no visitor in this cemetery can stand before a grave that remembers a face and a voice. The day will never come when the United States forgets them. Our nation and the world will always remember what they did here, what they gave here, for the future of humanity.” – May 27, 2002; Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.
“Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never pay completely, but we can honor their sacrifice, and we must.” May 30, 2011.
“They were general and private, captains and bodily, of each race, color and of each creed. But all were brothers and sisters in arms. And all were united then, since they are now united forever, for their eternal love of our great country.” – May 28, 2018.
“This is the mission of our time. Our monument to them should not be just the day we pause and pray. It must be a daily commitment to act, to join, to be worthy of the price that was paid.” May 30, 2022.
