WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day with a pledge that the nation would proceed the work of the nation’s fallen towards a extra excellent union, “for which they lived, and for which they died.”
Delivering remarks at a solemn remembrance ceremony at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery, Biden stated every technology should make sure the sacrifice of the nation’s service members isn’t in useless.
“Freedom has by no means been assured,” Biden stated beneath grey skies within the memorial amphitheater. “Each technology has to earn it, combat for it, defend it within the battle between autocracy and democracy, between the greed of some, and the rights of many.”
He added: “On this present day, we got here collectively once more to replicate, to recollect, and above all, to recommit to the long run they fought for, a future grounded in freedom, democracy, alternative and equality. Not only for some, however for all.”
Earlier than the ceremony started, Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin, positioned a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
In his remarks, Biden invoked the anniversary this week of the loss of life of his son Beau, who served in Iraq and later died from mind most cancers that the president attributes to his time stationed close to poisonous burn pits, to spotlight the significance of honoring the service of those that got here residence with accidents, along with the useless.
“Final yr, the VA delivered extra advantages and processed extra claims than ever in our historical past,” Biden stated, crediting the PACT Act which grants computerized protection for sure well being situations suffered by veterans by presuming they outcome from their army service. “For too lengthy after preventing for our nation, these veterans needed to combat to get the fitting well being care, to get the advantages that they had earned, not anymore.”
Biden started the day internet hosting a breakfast on the White Home for administration officers, army leaders, veterans, and Gold Star relations.
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