Ceremony at Vietnam War Memorial Honors Slain Soldiers
PHILLIPS: Want to take you live now to the Vietnam Memorial. A highlight of the ceremony today is the reading of four names that were added to the wall just last week. We want to listen to William Frank, a Vietnam veteran, who's speaking at today's ceremony.</s>WILLIAM FRANK, VIETNAM WAR VETERAN: Let me conclude with a few remarks about the current generation of our military. I am in absolute awe of this generation. They are all serving willingly because they believe in this great country. One tenth of one percent of the United States population is serving in the United States military. This generation of men and women in uniform are as dedicated as any prior generation and much better trained. They are not summer soldiers or sunshine patriots who, in crisis, shrink from the service of their country. They still believe that the military is the noblest of callings. They are, again, doing what this country asks. They are, again, willing to sacrifice for this country. And, yes, they are again sacrificing. May I recommend to you when you see a man or a woman in uniform, you say hello and thank them. Whatever your politics or views, there should be no confusion between those who serve and those who ask them to serve. Remember, after September 11, the patriotic fever that went through America, people thanking military people all over. Let's not let that fever stop. My own son right after 9/11, when he was in the Marine Corps and before he went to Iraq, was offered drinks by almost every American he came across. Free drinks, by people even his own age. And General Coleman, being a Marine, the only time he declined a drink was when he misunderstood the question. Today, we salute all those who service this country, men and women, African-Americans, white, Asians, Native Americans, and, yes, Arab Americans. We should take pride in them all and should not forget them. Of course, I take pride as any family member, any father would in his son being in the Marine Corps. As you know, no mother raises her son to be a soldier, much less a Marine. But I'm sure if he were here, he would express his pride in his Marines, and he does not forget them. Let me conclude where I began. In establishing Decoration Day, General Logan from the headquarters of the Grand Army of the Republic wrote in his general order following -- wrote the following: "Let no wanton food -- foot tread rudely on such hallowed ground. Let no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generation that we have forgotten as people the cost of the free republic. If other eyes grow dull, others' hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us." God bless these souls, God bless our troops, and God bless America.</s>PHILLIPS: William Frank served as a captain in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War from 1967 to '68. Continuing the family tradition, his son recently served with the Marine Corps in Iraq. We're listening to a number of speakers at this special live event at the Vietnam Wall. A highlight of the proceeding will be the reading of four names added to the wall just last week. As soon as those names -- as soon as we hear the speaker announce those four names, we will take that live. Stay with us as we continue to pay tribute to the members of the American armed forces that made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and in all conflicts.