"What brought these men here? What high motive led them to…welcome death?” And he answered his own question. Our nation’s life." --US President Joe Biden
POLITICS: Today, in the sacred place that has for years remained the fleecy white erected over the green pastures of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, the day was not one of celebration, but one of remembering the lives of the brave American men and women who President Joe Biden honored for their service to the United States. The US Memorial is the 156th day honoring those who defended the United States and paid with their lives in the course of war. By Michelle Crawford-Sapenter
On Monday, Americans gathered within the sacred grounds; the place that for many, contains the memories of their loved ones and friends whose lives were paid for that which they perceived as a worthy cause--their country, the United States.
On this day, as President Joe Biden was joined there at the nation's memorial monument; First Lady Dr Jill Biden nearby along with Vice President Kamala Harris and 2nd Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, Joint Chief, Charles 'CQ' Brown, 2nd Gentleman. The official gathering was, also, met by familial members in memory of those lost at war more than 156 years ago and those whose lives were more recently lost while defending their country. "On this day, we come together again to reflect, to remember, but above all, to recommit to the future our fallen heroes fought for, that generations of servicemembers who died for a future grounded in freedom, democracy, equality, tolerance, opportunity, and, yes, justice."--US P{resident Joe Biden One such soldier was Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker. At 34 years of age, the dedicated US soldier manned an on the ground operation referred to as Operation Iraq Freedom. A member of the 1st Battalion Armor Regiment Ft. Stewart Staff Sgt Booker was killed during a raid while a passenger traveling into in Baghdad, Ira. It was 1991 in Iraq, where Stevon Booker had been stationed during the Gulf War. Killed on April 5 by enemy attack on Baghdad. About Staff Sgt Booker, Secretary General Austin indicated that the efforts made by Staff Sgt Booker would surpass that of most who even died at war. Shannon Slutman, husband Staff Sgt Chris Slutman killed by suicide bomber in Baghram , Afghanistan. Gold star and surviving families legacies go on beyond the Memorial Day ceremony, it is the sacred obligation to ease the burdens shouldered by the families of those whose lives were lost, Austin indicated, "...it goes on all day and everyday." Austin spoke in regard to Biden's knowledge of the fears and stress that are experienced by loved ones and friends who await the return of their soldier who have gone away to far off places. They can never be forgotten Austin commented as he welcomed President Biden to the podium. As the President, then, spoke, he mentioned how we, as Americans, must never forget the price that has been paid by those who have gone forth to protect our nation. Biden recalled his son Beau who, he said, did not die onthe battlefield, but later, after having suffered the ill-intended effects of an Iran chemical burn pit, Beau Biden succumbed to a rare cancer in President Biden spoke in recognition of the pain and sorrow of those who lost loved ones due to the effects of war--some on the battlefield and others lives ending as a result of the impact of injuries sustained during war. Biden stated that he knows the feeling of the sorrows, the "black hole..." that he felt in his heart at the loss of his son. The one thing the President states that he holds on to is the day he asked his son Beau if he was sure of his next step in the military to which Beau replied, "Dad...its my duty." “It’s my duty.” Duty, Biden stated, is the code that millions of US soldiers have lived by "from the fields of Yorktown to the shores of Normandy, to the rice paddies of Pusan, to the valleys of Kandahar, to the mountains of Sinjar, and beyond — many of whom never returned home." President Biden commented in reference to his son Beau and others including Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson who was, also, killed while defending his country. The families of those who have been lost to war participated in the day's ceremony, paying tribute to their loved ones with the dignity and honor of the United States government; the leaders of the military, Secretary General and the Commander in Chief who were also joined by former Join Chief Mark Milley, Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary McDonough. Today, as he closed his speech, President Biden reminded Americans of the signing of the PACT Act, the bill that would provide better health care for veterans injured at war and for the families of those lost at war. One thing that Biden stated, also, was that , when he signed the PACT Act last year, he handed the signature pen to the daughter of Sgt First Class Heath Robinson who along with her grandmother, was in attendance, today, during the Memorial Day ceremony.
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