Biden says each generation has to ‘earn’ freedom, in solemn Memorial Day remarks

Zeke Miller, AP White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day pinch a promise that nan state would proceed nan activity of nan nation’s fallen toward a much cleanable union, “for which they lived, and for which they died.”

Delivering remarks astatine a intense remembrance ceremonial astatine Arlington National Cemetery, Biden said each procreation must guarantee nan sacrifice of nan country’s work members is not successful vain.

“Freedom has ne'er been guaranteed,” Biden said nether grey skies successful nan memorial amphitheater. “Every procreation has to gain it, conflict for it, take sides it successful nan conflict betwixt autocracy and democracy, betwixt nan greed of a few, and nan authorities of many.”

He added: “On this day, we came together again to reflect, to remember, and supra all, to recommit to nan early they fought for, a early grounded successful freedom, democracy, opportunity and equality. Not conscionable for some, but for all.”

Before nan ceremonial began, Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, placed a wreath astatine nan Tomb of nan Unknown Soldier.

In his remarks, Biden invoked nan day this week of nan decease of his boy Beau, who served successful Iraq and later died from encephalon crab that nan president attributes to his clip stationed adjacent toxic pain pits, to item nan value of honoring nan work of those who came location pinch injuries, successful summation to nan dead.

“Last year, nan VA delivered much benefits and processed much claims than ever successful our history,” Biden said, crediting nan PACT Act which grants automatic sum for definite wellness conditions suffered by veterans by presuming they consequence from their subject service. “For excessively agelong aft fighting for our nation, these veterans had to conflict to get nan correct wellness care, to get nan benefits they had earned, not anymore.”

Biden began nan time hosting a meal astatine nan White House for management officials, subject leaders, veterans, and Gold Star family members.

President Joe Biden, left, joined by, from left, Vice President Kamala Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Major Gen. Trevor Bradenkamp, region during an Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath Ceremony astatine nan Tomb of nan Unknown Soldier astatine Arlington National Cemetery successful Arlington, Va., connected Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024. | Susan Walsh, AP Photo