America is Divided on Memorial Day
In big ways and small, left and right seem to be drifting further apart.
“One hundred and fifty-five years ago, retired Union General James Garfield spoke here at Arlington, marking our nation’s first Memorial Day,” began U.S. President Joe Biden in his 2023 annual Memorial Day address.
“Standing amid rows and rows of marble stones, many of his own fallen soldiers among them, he asked, ‘What brought these men here? What high motive led them to…welcome death?’” President Biden reflected. “And he answered his own question. He said, ‘Our nation’s life.’”
“Today, we once again gather in this sacred place, at this solemn hour, to honor fallen heroes, to once again stand amid the rows and rows of marble stones and bear witness to the brave women and men who served and sacrificed for our freedom and for our future; those who died so our nation might live,” Biden told the assembled crowd.
“Every year, as a nation, we undertake this rite of remembrance, for we must never forget the price that was paid to protect our democracy,” he charged. “We must never forget the lives these flags, flowers, and marble markers represent: a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a sister, a spouse, a friend. An American.”
“Every year, we remember,” said Biden. “And every year, it never gets easier.”