WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day with a promise that the country will proceed the work of the nation's fallen toward a more perfect union “for which they lived and for which they died.”
At a solemn memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden said each generation must be certain that the sacrifice of the country's soldiers was not in vain.
“Freedom was never guaranteed,” Biden said under gray skies within the memorial's amphitheater. “Every generation must earn it, fight for it, defend it in the struggle between autocracy and democracy, between the greed of the few and the rights of the many.”
He added: “On this day, we have come together again to reflect, to remember and, above all, to recommit ourselves to the future they fought for, a future based on freedom, democracy, opportunity and equality. Not just for some, but for all.”
Before the ceremony began, Biden, together with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
In his address, Biden mentioned the anniversary of the death of his son Beau this week. Beau served in Iraq and later died of brain cancer, which the president attributed to his time spent near toxic burn pits, and wanted to emphasise the importance of honoring the service of those that got here home injured, along with those that died.
Biden began the day with a breakfast on the White House for presidency officials, military leaders, veterans and members of the Gold Star family.
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