By Paul Ryan
Representing Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District
Remarks delivered at Graceland Cemetery, Racine, Wisconsin
Memorial Day – May 25, 2009
Ever since the Civil War it has become a tradition for Americans to come together on this day, once called Decoration Day, now Memorial Day. We honor those who gave up their lives in the defense of this country, including members of our own families, ancestors, or neighbors. We cherish our memories of the departed and look into our own heart. We decorate graves with flowers and sacred sites with wreaths. We join together as one community, one family, remembering as one nation.
Out of respect and duty, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep this country safe. Indeed, the United States of America might be just another tale of history were it not for the quiet heroes who answered a higher call out of private life to defend—and give their all for—this country. Beginning with the Revolutionary War of 1775 and continuing still today, more than a million men and women have paid their last full measure for this nation. I think of Peter Langhran, a WWII veteran from Racine, who recently passed away. And I think of Sgt. 1st Class Brian Naseman of Racine, who just last Thursday died in Iraq.
Where does America get these selfless heroes? Why are they willing to sacrifice everything, generation after generation, for this country? Of course human beings give up a lot for their own home. But the American story of sacrifice has a greater purpose.
There are those who say that the United States is no more “exceptional” than any of the near-200 countries in the world. Intending no disrespect to other nations, I believe America is different. And that difference gives the deepest meaning to the sacrifices we honor this day.
You see, for most of human history there was not a single known land that recognized the equal dignity of all persons. America was the first to establish a government by consent, for the purpose of securing the natural rights of every human being. But this also meant that America was different because we candidly knew we would be tested again and again, and we might not always live up to these eternal standards. The height of these eternal standards would be the measure of our failures. This was to be the most daring political experiment ever undertaken in the history of civilization. Our principles alone would summon our better selves…to repent and to strive to make our country a better place for the future. Eternal truths from the laws of nature and of nature’s God would be our national conscience. It is those truths about every person’s rights to live, be free, and fulfill one’s potential that give freedom in America its universal significance.
We Americans are free under our Constitution to dialogue and converse among ourselves as a self-governing people, as Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals, of every ethnic background and religion. After extensive conversation, we choose representatives to carry out the decisions we made, until the next election. We are—God willing, may we remain—what Washington said we were, friends and fellow citizens of one nation. Certainly this is what our Founding Fathers, our Great Emancipator Abraham Lincoln, and our greatest statesmen all intended:
To dedicate a great, extensive nation to securing the natural rights of all under a government of consent;
To do this not all at once—since the Founders had no power to do it—but, step-by-step;
To ensure the freedom of all to worship God as their conscience commands;
To liberate a whole race of human beings from enslavement and abolish the wickedness of slavery forever;
To guarantee the equal right to vote to all regardless of skin color;
To grant all the powers of citizenship to the women of our nation;
To end the humiliation of racial segregation;
To welcome immigrants and raise them up to become equal citizens with every other American;
To extend equal opportunity to all;
To do all this establishes this country as different indeed.
And besides all this, America at its best cannot keep these blessings to itself but yearns to share the benefits of equality, freedom, and opportunity with every nation around the world.
It is this noble vision of our nation under God, so imperfect yet struggling to perfect itself, which millions of Americans have fought for, and many gave their lives for.
And so we meditate on this meaning of their sacrifice as we remember those we loved and knew, ancestors, or friends whose supreme giving of self must inspire our gratitude. We honor them best by committing ourselves not to trade their heritage of freedom for little promises of security. Let us continue the work of improving the well-being and expanding the freedom of all Americans.
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