Today marked U.S. President Joe Biden’s first Memorial Day in office. During his speech at the Arlington National Cemetery, he defended America’s “imperfect” democracy, and said America is working hard to achieve real democracy in the country.
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As coronavirus infection numbers take a back seat in the United States, President Joe Biden marked his first Memorial Day in office as he laid a wreath at a burial ground at the Arlington National Cemetery to honour deceased soldiers. He then gave a speech during the National Memorial Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheatre in the Cemetery.
Biden:
We’re gathered at this sacred place, in this solemn hour, to engage in the most fundamental of undertakings: the rite of remembrance.
Voiceover:
Sure enough, he spent time expressing his thankfulness for the service of those who died while serving in the U.S. army, and lauded them for their sacrifices and valour.
Biden:
We remember those who gave their all in the service of America, in the service of freedom, in the service of justice. We remember their sacrifice, their valour, and their grace. We remember their smiles; their loves; their laughter; their essential, vibrant, and transcendent humanity. Voiceover:
Joined by first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, the President attended a sombre ceremony at the Virginia Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is dedicated to mourning the deceased service members whose remains have not been identified.
During his speech, Biden defended his nation’s “imperfect” democracy.
Biden:
All that we do in our common life as a nation is part of that struggle. The struggle for democracy is taking place around the world — democracy and autocracy. The struggle for decency and dignity — just simple decency. The struggle for posterity — prosperity and progress. And, yes, the struggle for the soul of America itself. Folks, you all know it: Democracy thrives when the infrastructure of democracy is strong; when people have the right to vote freely and fairly and conveniently; when a free and independent press pursues the truth, founded on facts, not propaganda; when the rule of law applies equally and fairly to every citizen, regardless of where they come from or what they look like.
Voiceover:
The President called on Americans to heal the divided nation. The situation in the United States doesn’t seem bad, but an increase in the number of hate crimes speaks volumes: The number of hate crimes in the nation is still on the rise hitherto. He also used the sombre backdrop of racial violence that led to the Tulsa race massacre to implore his nation to heal.
Ending his speech, Biden said the others can do nothing to knock the wind out of the U.S. in the nation’s work of democracy, and he vowed the U.S. will also leave no stone unturned in the search for a united and democratic nation.
Biden:
For empathy is the fuel of democracy. Let me say that again: Empathy — empathy is the fuel of democracy, a willingness to see each other — not as enemies, neighbors. Even when we disagree, to understand what the other is going through. To state the obvious: Our democracy is imperfect. It always has been. But Americans of all backgrounds, races, creeds, gender identities, sexual orientations, have long spilled their blood to defend our democracy. The diversity of our country and our arm- — and of our armed services is and always has been an incredible strength.
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