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Skriven 2007-05-26 23:47:22 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070526) for Sat, 2007 May 26
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President's Radio Address
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 26, 2007

President's Radio Address

˙˙President's Radio Address
˙˙Audio ˙˙En Espa¤ol

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Veterans

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This Memorial Day weekend, Americans honor
those who have given their lives in service to our Nation. As we pay
tribute to the brave men and women who died for our freedom, we also honor
those who are defending our liberties around the world today.

On Wednesday, I met with some of the courageous young men and women who
will soon take their place in the defense of our Nation: the graduating
class of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Since its inception, the
Coast Guard has patrolled and protected America's shores. And in this time
of war, the Coast Guard has assumed new responsibilities to defend our
Nation against terrorist infiltration and help stop new attacks. I was
proud to stand with the Class of 2007 and thank them for their bold
decision to wear the uniform.

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˙

˙ The men and women of the Coast Guard are fighting alongside soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and Marines who have also volunteered to protect America.
We live in freedom because patriots such as these are willing to serve, and
many have given their lives in defense of our Nation. On Monday, I will lay
a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice in their country's cause.

One of those who gave his life was Sergeant David Christoff, Jr., of
Rossford, Ohio. The day after the attacks of September the 11th, David
walked into a recruiting station to become a United States Marine. Asked
why he made the decision to serve, David said: "I don't want my brother and
sister to live in fear." David eventually deployed to Iraq, where he fought
street by street in the battle of Fallujah and earned a Purple Heart for
wounds suffered in action.

While on leave back home, David learned his company was headed for combat
in Afghanistan. But he knew there was also a job to finish in Iraq. So he
asked to be reassigned to a unit headed for Iraq, and last May he died in
Anbar province where the Marines are taking the fight to al Qaeda. When his
family received his belongings, his mother and his father each found a
letter from David. He asked that they pray for his fellow Marines and all
those still serving overseas.

On Memorial Day, our Nation honors Sergeant Christoff's final request. We
pray for our men and women serving in harm's way. We pray for their safe
return. And we pray for their families and loved ones, who also serve our
country with their support and sacrifice.

On Memorial Day, we rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause. In Iraq and
Afghanistan, millions have shown their desire to be free. We are determined
to help them secure their liberty. Our troops are helping them build
democracies that respect the rights of their people, uphold the rule of
law, and fight extremists alongside America in the war on terror. With the
valor and determination of our men and women in uniform, I am confident
that we will succeed and leave a world that is safer and more peaceful for
our children and grandchildren.

On Memorial Day, we also pay tribute to Americans from every generation who
have given their lives for our freedom. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from
Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, brave men and women have given
up their own futures so that others might have a future of freedom. Because
of their sacrifice, millions here and around the world enjoy the blessings
of liberty. And wherever these patriots rest, we offer them the respect and
gratitude of our Nation.

Thank you for listening.

END

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