I want to open my remarks with a short poem entitled "Decoration Day."

Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry's shot alarms!

Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon's sudden roar,
Or the drum's redoubling beat.

But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.

All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the Truce of God!

Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.

Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.

This poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1882.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering those
who died while serving in the country's armed forces. This holiday, which is
currently observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as
Decoration Day after the American Civil War.
On this day many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor
those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American
flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to
"Memorial Day," which was first used in 1882. Memorial Day did not become
the more common name until after World War II, and was not declared the
official name by Federal law until 1967.

On Memorial Day, May 28, 1989, I was honored to participate in a ceremony at
the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery honoring those that died valiantly and
heroically, giving their lives so that peoples of Europe might be liberated
from tyranny. There are 26 permanent American military cemeteries outside the
United States. These cemeteries are the most beautiful and meticulously
maintained shrines in the world. President George H. W. Bush commemorated
Memorial Day on that occasion and I remember the moment as if yesterday.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a powerful message at the
dedication of the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. “They died there valiantly
and heroically, giving their lives that peoples of Europe might be liberated
from tyranny.…they rest tranquil and secure in the friendly soil of Italy.
May our great debt to them, and all others who died in the cause of freedom,
serve as an inspiration to all peoples to dedicate themselves to freedom and
lasting peace.”
The “Brothers in Arms” sculpture is a central feature of the memorial.
The statue symbolizes the fraternity that was essential to the success of the
three amphibious assaults in Italy during World War II.

Today, we honor those who have served and given all, at this Veterans
Memorial Wall built in Wilson Park, Union County, Tennessee; in a county seat
that was originally named "Liberty."

On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top
of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it
remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of
the day.

The half-staff position remembers the more than 2.8 million men and women who
have given their lives in service of their country fighting tyranny and evil
in 79 wars or conflicts since 1775. At noon on this day, their memory is
raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but
to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for
all.

Our nation has depended upon them, but they depended upon each other. As
Comrades in Arms, we all depended upon each other. We did not, under any
circumstances, want to let our buddies down, because we needed and depended
upon them.

The “Brothers in Arms” fellowship is common among those that have served.
“Welcome Home Brother” – an Army foot-soldier made that statement to
me two weeks ago; a complete stranger – “Welcome Home Brother”…..

What part of this military history does your family claim? Are there films,
books, poems or memorials that have helped you identify something powerful
about yourself or a family member that identifies with this solemn history?
Is there a relative whose actions you are proud of? Do they know?
Sometimes, our strongest asset has come from something we know nothing about.
In assembling things of historical value, we can begin to understand the
sacred from our past. This wall symbolizes a military history; a memory of
service before self. The names represent a powerful statement of sacrifice,
pride, strength and the resolve that embody those who serve.
This is a solemn event; thanks to Mayor Mike Williams and our local Brothers
and Sisters in Arms, now led by Post Commander Arnold Smalling, this is a
sacred place. Ms. Betty Bullen has designed an additional memorial for this
place using pieces from the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge to offer tribute to
our Comrades in Arms, and she hopes to complete that work sometime this year.
If there is something you are passionate about, harness it, support someone
in need and make a difference; keep the spirit of service before self, alive.
Honor our fallen heroes, rise up in their stead against tyranny and evil
and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Thank you Mayor Williams for your selfless service and thank you Post
Commander Arnold Smalling for inviting me to be part of today’s hallowed
ceremony. On this Memorial Day let’s remember and offer our appreciation
to those who sacrificed everything for us.