ARLINGTON, VA – President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and others on Monday thanked those U.S. service members who died serving their country during a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery.
“We gather today to honor the incredible service members who rest in glory in this cemetery and burial grounds around the world, and in thousands of lonely places known only to God.” Trump said. “And every hour of peril and every moment of crisis, American warriors have left behind the blessings of home and family to answer their nation’s call. They’ve offered all that they had within them and given their last breaths to each and every one of us so that we might live safe and breathe free.”
“Each of the service members who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation has also left an unfillable void and an unbreakable silence in the lives of all who loved them,” he said.
The president also noted the coming 250th anniversary of the United States and those early soldiers who fought for the nation’s independence.
“This Memorial Day is especially significant as we commemorate 250 years since the first American patriots fell in the field of battle,” he said. “Two and a half centuries ago … brave minutemen and humble farm boys were the first to give their lives for a nation that did not yet have a name.”
Earlier, Trump placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by the playing of Taps and a moment of silence. The tomb is a memorial honoring three unidentified soldiers, one each from World War I, World War II and the Korean War, and serves as a tribute for all those unidentified service members who lost their lives serving the country.
“Since the founding of our great nation, over one million of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters have donned the cloth of our nation and never come home,” General Dan Caine said.”Every one of them believed that defending our great nation when duty called is a righteous and worthy cause. And they were right. It is.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed Caine, commemorating the unknown soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“This is the story of the unknown, the story of the fallen soldier who we have gathered today to honor,” Hegseth said. “It is the story of the American warrior.”
Vice President Mike Pence thanked the Gold Star families in attendance. They are the survivors of service members who died in the line of duty.
“For those who have given their lives for this country, we remember you today, and certainly, to our Gold Star families, who are so thrilled and so grateful to have you in attendance,” Vance said. “This is a sacred place, an eternal resting spot for our nation’s sons and daughters.”
Editor’s Note
The Center Square’s Morgan Sweeney is among a small group of White House pool reporters covering the ceremony live from the cemetery, where more than 400,000 people are buried, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country.
