If you’ve ever been to Arlington National Cemetery, you’ll know that it’s a profound place where the very air seems hallowed. On Monday, Memorial Day, President Trump, along with top administration and military leaders, paid homage to our fallen heroes at the national shrine and laid a wreath in their honor.
Happening now at Arlington National Cemetery: @POTUS lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Memorial Day. pic.twitter.com/ni0vLjHDGG
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 25, 2026
Before the president took the podium, both Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance addressed the crowd. Hegseth reminded us of what we all owe those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom:
.@SecWar at Arlington National Cemetery: "Today, with this humble ceremony, we owe at least this: that with every salute, with every ceremony...every day and every year, we remember. That by our remembrance, we guard the eternal flame that they lit with the price of their youth." pic.twitter.com/fdgUxMizgM
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 25, 2026
Hegseth:
On this sacred occasion for our nation, we take the day for memories of our very best. They now lie in silent rows here at Arlington, in more than 170 national cemeteries throughout our nation, and across 17 countries around the world.
They answered the call when it mattered the most.
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Vance reminded us that although we are here to honor the day with our families, so many others are not:
.@VP: "We always remember that every moment that we’re able to enjoy with our loved ones, everything that gives our life and our nation meaning and purpose, was given to us, often by total strangers, who laid down their lives that this might be the best nation in the history of… pic.twitter.com/Zt2Jayziev
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 25, 2026
@VP: "We always remember that every moment that we’re able to enjoy with our loved ones, everything that gives our life and our nation meaning and purpose, was given to us, often by total strangers, who laid down their lives that this might be the best nation in the history of the world."
Trump was next to speak, and he promised Gold Star families that America would never forget their loved ones who fell in the line of duty:
President Donald Trump honors Gold Star families at Arlington National Cemetery:
— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) May 25, 2026
"To every person, here and across America, who holds tight to the memory of a warrior taken from them, we will never, ever forget the ones you loved." pic.twitter.com/VuXjgr0Mm6
The president:
We are joined today by some of those they left behind, our incredible Gold Star families. Incredible people. To every person here, and across America, who holds tight to the memory of a warrior taken from them, we will never, ever forget the ones you loved.
Gold Star family members, please: stand, receive our thanks, please. Thank you.
He also reminded the nation that without Memorial Day, other milestones wouldn’t even exist:
.@POTUS: "Today, we are reminded that there could be no Fourth of July without America’s Armed Forces—and there could be no Independence Day without Memorial Day." pic.twitter.com/Vm7ZooomvH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 25, 2026
There would be no 4th of July, no 250th anniversary, no celebration of our independence if so many had not given up so much:
Our nation will reach a historic milestone 250 years of majestic American independence; it's something. But it's only right that, first, we remember the immense sacrifice that has been brought to us, and this momentous anniversary year. That's what it is. It's a momentous year.
Before we hail the founding, we honor the fallen, before we celebrate the triumph, we pay the tribute, before we crown the victory, we count the cost. Today, we are reminded that there could be no Fourth of July without America's armed forces, and there could be no Independence Day without Memorial Day.
We owe our liberty, our self government, the glories of our history, and our very nation itself to the generations you paid for it, with everything they had, the ultimate sacrifice.
It was a powerful day at Arlington, and another reminder of just how fortunate we are to live with a president and an administration that celebrates this country and does not constantly disrespect its history. On the 4th of July, we should all remember how and why we’re even able to cook up the hot dogs and watch the fireworks.
Watch the full speeches here:
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and his administration’s bold leadership, we are respected on the world stage, and our enemies are being put on notice.
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