The Daily "ECHO"

The Daily Echo: Ronald Reagan Memorial Day Tribute: May 24, 2020

May 24, 2020

President Reagan commemorates those Americans who have willingly sacrificed their lives for their country, during the Memorial Day ceremonies held at the Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982. Video (5/28/18) by Airman 1st Class Ryan Brooks, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs. Courtesy DVIDS. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Key Text Moments in Video:

“In America’s cities and towns today, flags will be placed on graves in cemeteries; public officials will speak of the sacrifice and the valor of those whose memory we honor.”

“The sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them.”

“Yet, we must try to honor them — not for their sakes alone, but for our own.”

“And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice. Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough: the United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom [for] which they died, must endure and prosper.”

“Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost. It imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we — in a less final, less heroic way — be willing to give of ourselves.”

“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation.”

Complete transcript and enhanced audio at: https://americanrhetoric.com/speeches…

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