'Democracy is in peril, at home and around the world': Biden calls for 'respect' and 'decency' to protect the 'beating heart of America' in Memorial Day speech at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
President Joe Biden honored the nation's war dead on Memorial Day by taking part in a solemn ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery where he said Americans have long fought for 'rule of the people' and warned of aspirations for 'autocracy' and dictatorship.
'Democracy itself is in peril – here at home and around the world,' Biden cautioned.
'A struggle for democracy is taking place around the world,' Biden said in a 23 minute speech at Arlington. 'Democracy means the rule of the people. The rule of the people. Not the rule of monarchs. Not the rule of the money,' he continued.
He called the nation's travails a 'struggle for the soul of America itself' – a recurring theme of his campaign and administration. And he called for 'truth, founded on facts, not propaganda.'
'Empathy is the fuel of democracy,' Biden said, at times weaving in remarks that alluded to the political clashes that preceded his speech.
President Joe Biden adjusts a the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021, in Arlington, Va.
He referenced the recent tumultuous times in American politics – which have featured a violent riot inside the Capitol, and a vote in the Senate Friday where a bipartisan to investigate Jan. 6th failed to advance. Early Monday, Democrats in the Texas legislature walked out to prevent a vote on new election restrictions. And within days, Biden will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose actions in Ukraine kicked off a years-long standoff with the U.S. A military coup in Burma has once again brought U.S. sanctions in response – and former Trump National Security Advisor Mike Flynn was under scrutiny for saying it 'should happen here' in response to a question at a Dallas QAnon conference.
'The soul of America is animated by the perennial battle between our worst instincts, which we've seen of late and our better angels. Between 'me first,' and 'we the people.' Between greed and generosity,' Biden said. Between 'cruelty and kindness, captivity and freedom.'
Biden linked past battles in military and historical memory to recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
'They weren't fighting for dictators. They were fighting for democracy,' he said. 'They weren't fighting to exclude or to enslave. They were fighting to build and broaden and liberate. They weren't fighting for self, they were fighting for the soul of the nation. For liberty and simple fair play. Simple fair play and decency.'
'Democracy is more than a form of government. It's a way of being. It's a way of seeing the world. Democracy means the rule of the people ... Not the rule of monarchs. Not the rule of the money. Not the rule of the mighty.'
He said since times of antiquity there has been a battle between 'the aspirations of the many and the greed of the few' – between a right to self-determination and 'the self-seeking of the dictator.'
He contrast dreams of democracy with the 'appetites for autocracy, which we're seeing around the world.'
Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris as they attended the traditional wreath-laying ceremony Monday.
'We gathered at this sacred case in this solemn hour engaged in the most fundamental of undertakings: the right of remembrance. To remember those who gave their all in the service of America and the service of freedom and the service of justice,' Biden said in remarks Monday.
'To those who mourn a loved one today, Jill and I have some idea how you're feeling. Our losses are not the same, but that black hole you feel in your chest as if it's going to suck you into it, we get.,' said Biden, recalling his late son Beau Biden, who served in the Delaware National Guard and was deployed in Iraq.
A day after marking the anniversary of Beau's death, Biden said: 'It's a hard time. A hard time here for me and our family, just like it is for so many of you. It can hurt to remember, but the hurt is how we feel and how we heal.'
Biden referenced the 'aspirations of the many and the greed of the few' and warned of the threat of dictatorship and autocracy
Biden delivered his first Memorial Day remarks as president Monday
President Joe Biden(L) salutes along with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin before delivering an address at the 153rd National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day in Arlington
Vice President Kamala Harris and US First Lady Jill Biden both took part
President Joe Biden wipes his eye after he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021, in Arlington, Va., with Vice President Kamala Harris
His visit comes after Biden announced place to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11th
Biden called it a sacred obligation to honor military service members who have been lost
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet a family as they visit section 12 at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 31, 2021. Biden spoke in his remarks about his visits to Section 60, which contains fallen servicemembers from recent wars
President Joe Biden walks with first lady Jill Biden as they visit section 12 at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 31, 2021
'I always feel Beau close to me on Memorial Day. I know exactly where I need to be: right here, honoring our fallen heroes.'
Biden pictured with son Beau in 2009 at Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad. Beau died May 30, 2015 of brain cancer
The president saluted during aa playing of the National Anthem and a bugler's rendition of 'Taps.' He approached a memorial wreath, and made the sign of the cross during the brief ceremony.
'We are the children of sacrifice, made by a long line of American servicemembers – each a link in that chain of honor,' Biden said, with the sound of cicadas providing a drone of background noise.
Biden spoke of his visits to Section 60, where dead from the nation's recent wars are buried. 'It reminds me of the cost of war. Hundreds of graves, hundreds of graves are here from recent conflicts. Hundreds of patriots who gave their all,' he said.
'I want to assure each of those families: We will never forget what you gave to our country,' he intoned.
Following the ceremony, Biden headed to French eater Le Diplomate in D.C.'s bustling 14th Street neighborhood, along with the first lady, Vice President Harris, and first gentleman Doug Emoff
President Joe Biden, with first lady Jill Biden, waves as they walk from Marine One upon arrival on the Ellipse at the White House, Monday, May 31, 2021, in Washington
President Joe Biden boards Marine One at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Del., Monday, May 31, 2021. Biden is returning to Washington after spending the weekend at his home in Delaware
He stood alongside Harris and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He is to give remarks later Monday.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley honored Gold Star parents and the 'one million Americans who have given the last full measure of devotion in service of their country.'
'Their sacrifice is an example for all of us to never forget and to always honor,' he said, on the 153rd annual Memorial Day ceremony.
'It is our job to live a life worthy of their sacrifice,' said Milley.
'We know the depth of your sacrifice, but we can never know the depth of your loss,' Austin said in his own remarks, addressing words to families who have lost loved ones.
Earlier, Biden and first lady Jill Biden flew back to Washington from Delaware Monday as they marked Memorial Day observances with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
The first couple boarded Marine One at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Del., then flew to Washington, where they landed south of the White House.
The Bidens then traveled by motorcade to Arlington, where Memorial Day services were scheduled to be held.
They were to be joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, first gentleman Doug Emhoff, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Mark Milley.
On Sunday, Biden honored the sixth anniversary of his son Beau's death in remarks at a pre-Memorial Day event. 'This is a hard day for us,' Biden said while speaking to veterans and families of fallen military members during remarks at Veterans Memorial Park near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
'Six years ago today, Hunter lost his dad, and I lost my son,' Biden said of losing Beau in 2015 to brain cancer.
'Beau didn't die in the line of duty, but he was serving a Delaware National Guard unit in Iraq for a year,' the president continued. 'That was one of the proudest things he did in his life.'
'So thank you for allowing us to grieve together today.'
Beau Biden, who attained the rank of major, joined the Delaware Army National Guard in 2003 and attended JAG School at the University of Virginia. He deployed to Iraq in October 2008, the month before his father was elected vice president to serve with Barack Obama for his first term. Beau returned from Iraq in September 2009 after completing his yearlong stint on active duty.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. He was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit for his service in the Delaware National Guard and the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross.
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