"I’m very honored to be here with all of you today, in the company of great soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and civilians of many different countries that are all here for a common purpose. And I’m also honored to be in the presence of the spirits of two great Americans that we’ve talked about this morning."

"Countless number of Americans will gather together in our towns, our villages and communities, across the country today to place flowers and flags on the graves of those who have given their last full measure of devotion for our country and for freedom. They will, in their own way, acknowledge the sacrifices of those American warriors who have paid the ultimate price."

"For those of us in uniform, particularly for those of us here today fighting far from home, Memorial Day takes on an added significance. It is not simply paying tribute to heroes from years gone by who fought in distant lands."

"It’s rather about the here and the now. It’s the empty seat in the mess hall, the battle buddy who is no longer here, or the friend who did not return from patrol. And it’s the commitment to carry on with the mission in their honor. And Memorial Day for us is intensely personal."