President Trump delivered a heartfelt Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring fallen military heroes while also taking a swipe at his predecessor. He promised the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its service members, stating, “We certainly know what we owe to them. Their valor gave us the freest, greatest, and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth, a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years.”
Without mentioning Joe Biden by name, Trump made pointed allusions to his administration, criticizing the condition in which he said the country had been left. “Who would let that happen?” Trump asked. “People pouring through our borders unchecked. People doing things that are indescribable and not for today to discuss. But the republic is now doing so very well.”
While his main focus was honoring the memory of America’s fallen heroes, Trump also looked ahead to upcoming milestones, referencing major national events on the horizon. These included the United States’ semiquincentennial in 2026, the jointly hosted World Cup that summer, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“We’re going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years,” Trump said. He then appeared to reflect on his 2020 election loss, saying, “In some ways, I’m glad I missed that second term where it was because I wouldn’t be your president. In addition, we have the World Cup, and we have the Olympics.” He added, “Can you imagine? I missed that in four years, and now look what I have — I have everything. God did that.”
During his remarks, Trump highlighted three individual service members who died in recent American wars: Air Force SMSgt. Elroy Harworth of Erhard, Minnesota, whose aircraft was shot down in North Vietnam in 1966 and whose remains were identified two decades later; Army Cpl. Ryan C. McGhee of Fredericksburg, Virginia, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2009; and Navy CTTC Shannon M. Kent of Pine Plains, New York, who died in a 2019 ISIS attack in Syria and was later honored with a posthumous promotion.
“These warriors picked up the mantle of duty and service, knowing that to live for others meant always that they might die for others,” said Trump. “They asked nothing. They gave everything. And we owe them everything and much, much more.”
Addressing Gold Star families in attendance, Trump expressed deep appreciation for their sacrifices. “Thank you for giving America the brightest light in your lives,” he said. “It’s what you’ve done. We will never ever forget our fallen heroes, and we will never forget our debt to you.”
The observance also featured speeches from Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier preceded the event.
Vance, himself a former Marine, emphasized the moral responsibility leaders have in valuing the lives of those in uniform. “The US ought to commit ourselves and expect from our leaders to treat the lives of our troops as the most precious resource,” he said. “The second way that I try to honor the fallen is to commit ourselves to being worthy of their sacrifice. If you’re a husband, be the best husband you can be. If you’re a mom, be the best mom that you can be. If you’re a citizen, be the very best citizen that you can be.”
Hegseth echoed sentiments he’s shared in the past, reiterating that “the American soldier fights not because he hates what’s in front of him, but because he loves what’s behind him.” He concluded, “We owe a duty to those who have fallen in war. They have paid a debt we can never repay, and for that, we owe gratitude and remembrance.”

{Matzav.com}