WASHINGTON, D.C.—Hundreds of onlookers gathered in Arlington National Cemetery, for the One Hundred and Forty Second Memorial Day Observance honoring the fallen members of America’s armed forces. Amidst the rows of tomb stones that stretch far into the horizon, family and friends of servicemen and women, members of the armed forces, veterans and supporters, honored the fallen Americans in an atmosphere of silence and respect. Vice President Joe Biden laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“The generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines that have served and sacrificed for us are the heart and soul and I would say the spine of this nation, and as a nation, we pause today to remember them… In doing so they imparted a responsibility on us to recognize, respect and honor and care for those that risk their lives so that we can live our lives,” said the Vice President.
The ceremonies included a musical interlude by the United States Navy Band; an Invocation by Colonel Brent Causey, United States Army Chaplain; a welcome by Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and remarks by Honorable William J. Lynn III, Deputy Secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In a contrast to the sad thought of all those that have died in war, Vice President Biden spoke of the ‘love’ that inspires heroism in the those that serve in the armed forces. The Vice President quoted a fallen soldier: “Fear will never make one share the last sip of water with a dying comrade, anger would never motivate a nurse to stand tall in the bloody operating room for half a day or longer until a blasted soldier or marine got back together, only love can motivate that kind of heroism.”
“The generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines that have served and sacrificed for us are the heart and soul and I would say the spine of this nation, and as a nation, we pause today to remember them… In doing so they imparted a responsibility on us to recognize, respect and honor and care for those that risk their lives so that we can live our lives,” said the Vice President.
The ceremonies included a musical interlude by the United States Navy Band; an Invocation by Colonel Brent Causey, United States Army Chaplain; a welcome by Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and remarks by Honorable William J. Lynn III, Deputy Secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In a contrast to the sad thought of all those that have died in war, Vice President Biden spoke of the ‘love’ that inspires heroism in the those that serve in the armed forces. The Vice President quoted a fallen soldier: “Fear will never make one share the last sip of water with a dying comrade, anger would never motivate a nurse to stand tall in the bloody operating room for half a day or longer until a blasted soldier or marine got back together, only love can motivate that kind of heroism.”
