Memorial Day At Arlington National Cemetery

United States Army Press Release:

A patriotic ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s military members is scheduled for May 26 at 11 A.M. in Arlington National Cemetery.

This year’s event, which marks the 140th observance of Memorial Day on these hallowed grounds, will be hosted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region.

A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a remembrance ceremony in the Memorial Amphiteater. The event will commence with a prelude concert by the U.S. Army Band at 10:20 a.m. inside the amphiteater.

Both ceremonies are free and open to the military community and general public. No tickets are needed to attend this event.

For people interested in observing the wreath ceremony, space is limited to standing room only. Inside the amphitheater, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The amphitheater can accommodate 5,500 people, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to the event.

At 8 A.M. the cemetery gates open and a free shuttle service will begin transporting people from the visitors’ center to the amphitheater. Attendees will be admitted into the ceremony site at about 8:30 A.M.

People driving to the cemetery may park their vehicles for free in the visitors’ center parking garage until 1 P.M. In addition, Metrorail will be operating all day, so attendees may ride the “blue line” to the subway station located just outside the cemetery’s main entrance.

Meanwhile, DoD identification card holders may park at Fort Myer, then ride a free shuttle from the Memorial chapel parking lot.

Heightened security measures will require attendees to pass through a checkpoint to gain access to the ceremony site. Purses should be limited to essential items and will be subject to security inspections. Potential weapons will be confiscated. Furthermore, large backpacks, camera bogs, coolers, picnic baskets, bottled water and insulated beverage containers will not be allowed on the premises.

President George W. Bush arrives in his motorcade for Memorial Day ceremonies
at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2008

An honor guard member stands at attention as the motorcade of US President
George W. Bush passes by, before Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery

President George W. Bush laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery

U.S. military honor guards stand at the Tomb of the Unknowns during Memorial Day
ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2008.

President George W. Bush (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen
arrive for Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery May 26, 2008.

(Left) President Bush and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates bow their heads in prayer at the Memorial
Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, 26 May 2008. (Right) President George W. Bush addresses
the Nation on Memorial Day 2008

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen (L) and his wife Deborah (R) walk through Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery
May 26, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. Section 60 is where many of those who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been buried

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 26, 2008

President Bush Attends Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration
Arlington National Cemetery

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, thank you for the kind introduction. Members of my Cabinet, members of the administration, Admiral Mullen, members of the United States Congress, Senator Warner and Congressman Skelton, members of the military, our veterans, honored guests, families of the fallen: Laura and I are honored to be with you on Memorial Day and thank you for coming.

A few moments ago, I placed a wreath upon the tomb of three brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation. The names of these honored are known only to the Creator who delivered them home from the anguish of war — but their valor is known to us all. It’s the same valor that endured the stinging cold of Valley Forge. It is the same valor that planted the proud colors of a great nation on a mountaintop on Iwo Jima. It is the same valor that charged fearlessly through the assault of enemy fire from the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts of Iraq. It is the valor that has defined the armed forces of the United States of America throughout our history.

Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty. From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies — they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend.

It is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that the number of headstones in a place such as this grows with every new Memorial Day. In a world where freedom is constantly under attack and in a world where our security is challenged, the joys of liberty are often purchased by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than themselves. Today we mourn and remember all who have given their lives in the line of duty. Today we lift up our hearts especially those who’ve fallen in the past year.

We remember Army Specialist Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colorado. As a young man, Ronnie was known for having an infectious smile and a prankster’s sense of humor. And then he joined the United States Army, which brought out a more mature side in him. Ronnie transformed from a lighthearted teenager into a devoted soldier and a dutiful son who called his mother every day from his post in Iraq. In his final act of duty, less than a month ago, he worked with other members of his unit to build a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, an enemy bomb robbed him of his life. And today our nation grieves for the loss of Ronnie Tucker.

We remember two Navy SEALS — Nathan Hardy of Durham, New Hampshire, and Michael Koch of State College, Pennsylvania. Nate and Mike were partners in the field and they were close friends in the barracks. Through several missions together, they had developed the unique bond of brotherhood that comes from trusting another with your life. They even shared a battlefield tradition: They would often head into battle with American flags clutched to their chests underneath their uniform. Nate and Mike performed this ritual for the last time on February the 4th — they both laid down their lives in Iraq after being ambushed by terrorists. These two friends spent their last few moments on earth together, doing what they loved most — defending the United States of America. Today, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch lay at rest next to each other right here on the grounds of Arlington.

The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when liberty and justice are embattled. Ronald Tucker, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch make clear, they do not waver — even in the face of danger.

And so today, here in Washington and across our country, we pay tribute to all who have fallen — a tribute never equal to the debt they are owed. We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades, the POWs and MIAs. And we pledge — we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought.

The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty’s defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God’s blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.

On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the Commander-in-Chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They’re an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens.

I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. It only remains for us, the heirs of their legacy, to have the courage and the character to follow their lead — and to preserve America as the greatest nation on earth and the last best hope for mankind.

May God bless you and may God bless America.

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Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard

Memorial Day At Arlington National Cemetery – 26 May 2008

United States Army Press Release:

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