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<p> [The speaker may individualize this speech by noting the particular
group or area, or calling attention to honored guests, dignitaries, etc. The
speaker should make changes to the paragraph with the asterisk if not a current
member of the Air Force. Otherwise, the text may be presented as is.]</p>
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<p align="center"><font size="5">Memorial Day -- Uncommon Valor</font></li>
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<p> I am proud to be an American. I look at our community -- with its plans
for the future, and I am reminded of how many villages and hamlets throughout
the world are struggling to survive. I am reminded of communities with no public
forum such as council meetings or elected representatives. I am reminded that I
can express an opinion without fearing a jail cell, torture or be among the
"missing." The fires I will see today will be in neighborhood
barbecues grills -- not burning buildings. My neighbors and their children are
safe in their homes -- not huddled in refugee camps. We are here today to honor
the servicemembers who have preserved these liberties and freedoms. More than 36
million people -- more than the population of Canada -- have served in times of
war. Some 4.7 million in World War I, 16.1 million in World War II, 5.7 million
in Korean, 8.7 million in Vietnam and a little more than 1 million in Desert
Storm. In ceremonies such as these, we offer our respect to those who served and
died throughout the world -- half a million (520,000) for World Wars I and II,
33,600 in Korea and 58,000 in Vietnam. Americans have fought and died for
principles of freedom and democracy in every corner of the world. These
Americans exemplify the concept of service before self. We must never forget --
and always preserve -- the ideals they fought and died for. From their patriotic
duty and a love of country, these individuals made the ultimate sacrifice. Each
of their deaths has greatly contributed to our lives. There are times when our
mission isn't war, but peace, and we still remember those who have fallen.
President Bill Clinton, reminds us that "all those who serve in the
military at home and abroad put their lives at risk in the service of their
nation, and deserve the thanks of all Americans for doing so." Today, I am
proud to be an American and a member of the Air Force.* Air Force people follow
a set of core values that instill a deep sense of pride -- integrity first,
service before self and excellence in all we do. These core values set a
foundation that allows the people of America's Air Force to be involved in high
operations tempo activities and do their best. * Air Force people involved in
humanitarian operations in Third World countries providing food, shelter and
medical assistance to sick and frightened refugees. * Air Force people
performing peacekeeping operations in Africa and Europe to protect subjugated,
downtrodden and demoralized minority groups. * Air Force people rescuing and
caring for injured comrades struck down by an insidious terrorist bombing in
Southwest Asia. * Air Force people putting themselves in harm's way to help
enforce United Nation and NATO sanctions against oppressive and restrictive
governments. Heroism and valor know neither age nor rank. I want to tell you
about two young airmen who saved lives in Vietnam, one lived and the other died.
These men are only two of the many who showed courage and bravery, they are
examples of the enlisted heritage that the Air Force proudly has. They were
awarded two of the highest military decorations the nation can bestow upon its
armed forces. Airman 1st Class John Levitow was the first Air Force enlisted man
to receive the Medal of Honor since World War II. The Medal of Honor is the
highest award for heroism in a military action. Levitow, a loadmaster, was on an
AC-47 gunship that went to the aid of besieged troops at Long Binh Army Post a
few miles northeast of Saigon on Feb. 24, 1969. As part of his duties, Levitow
set the ejection and ignition controls of the magnesium illuminating flares
being dropped to help ground forces ward off an enemy mortar attack. The flares
provided illumination for troops on the ground and for the gunship's pilot to
aim his miniguns. When the plane arrived at its target area, Levitow handed a
flare to the launcher, whose finger was through the safety pin ring preparing to
toss the flare through the door. Then chaos ensued. An 82 mm mortar shell ripped
a two-foot hole in the right wing, and showered the cargo compartment with
shrapnel. All five crewmembers in the rear of the plane were hurled to the
floor, bleeding from shrapnel wounds. The aircraft fell into a steep, descending
turn, momentarily out of control. The flare, torn from the launcher's hands by
the blast, landed near one of the aircraft's miniguns, amid a jumble of spilled
ammunition canisters. The flare was lethal inside the aircraft -- 10 seconds
after release, an explosive charge would open the flare's parachute, and in
another 10 seconds the magnesium would ignite, burning at 4,000 degrees
Fahrenheit. Although stunned by the blast, Levitow, with 40 shrapnel wounds in
his legs and back, saw one of the crew bleeding heavily and lying dangerously
close to the open cargo door. As he moved the wounded man to safety, Levitow saw
the armed flare rolling around the compartment. Weakened from loss of blood and
a partial loss of feeling in his right leg, Levitow struggled to pick up the
deadly device as it rolled wildly from side to side. The aircraft commander was
still fighting to right the plane from its 30-degree bank. Levitow had only
seconds to save the lives of eight crewmen. In desperation, he threw himself on
the flare, dragged it to the open door, and pushed it out just as it ignited,
safely away from the aircraft. After the plane made it back to its home base,
Levitow was flown to a hospital in Japan. After recovery, he flew 20 more combat
missions before returning home to complete his enlistment at Norton Air Force
Base, Calif. On May 14, 1970, President Richard Nixon presented the Medal of
Honor to him in a ceremony at the White House. Another airman first class,
William Pitsenbarger, sacrificed his life to save nine others. He was the first
enlisted member to be awarded the Air Force Cross for his bravery and
determination in the face of overwhelming odds. Pitsenbarger was a pararescueman
on a mission near Cam My, Vietnam, April 11, 1966. On one of two HH-43
helicopters evacuating American casualties from a dense jungle area under heavy
small arms and mortar fire, he was lowered to the scene where he immediately
started medical treatment to the wounded, readying them for evacuation. When the
first helicopter took its load, the second helicopter maneuvered into the tiny
opening above the treetops. He started sending up more wounded, signaling the
hoist operator to take up the basket. Pitsenbarger was continually exposed to
enemy fire. He ignored it. Shortly after the second helicopter pulled out of the
trees, Pitsenbarger's crew returned for another load. As they were positioning
the basket, the enemy directed its fire, making direct hits at the hovering
rescue helicopter. The pilot knew he had to leave quickly before the aircraft
lost all power and went down. When the hoist operator indicated to Pitsenbarger
to grab the basket and come out, he waved them away. The pilot made an emergency
landing at an airstrip nearby, abandoning rescue attempts. Pitsenbarger made a
split-second decision when he elected to stay with the Army survivors. The
decision cost him his life. He continued to treat the wounded; however, when the
group began to run out of ammunition, he collected weapons and ammo clips from
fallen comrades for use by the remaining defenders. Even after he'd been
wounded, he continued directing defensive efforts. When reinforcements landed
the next morning, Pitsenbarger was found with a rifle in one hand, and a medical
kit in the other. These stories have a common thread -- the uncommon bravery of
men who faced harrowing, adverse situations. They thought of others, the
mission, without regard for themselves. They vividly illustrate sacrifices made
not only for our country, but also for free people all over the world. Let us
give them a moment of dedication. Their spirit of freedom continues to live
today as young men and women place themselves in harm's way for other just
causes. The Air Force plays a critical role around the globe. American forces
are the most visible forms of courage, trust and cooperation in the world.
During the past year, they have acted to curb war, to feed starving people and
to further the spread of liberty. As Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
recently told Congress, "America's armed forces continue to excel in the
multitude of missions given them. From Desert Storm to Desert Fox, our forces
have performed with skill and precision. Around the globe, our uniformed men and
women are operating with high effectiveness, training hard, keeping our weapons
and systems in good order and mastering all the other essentials of our defense
strategy." Our national security environment has changed dramatically since
the end of the Cold War. Global containment yielded to global engagement, and
today we've begun transforming into an Expeditionary Air Force. As the world's
only super power, our "reward" for winning the Cold War has been
accepting the mantle of leadership, with a force capable of projecting power and
bringing hope to regional hotspots through countless peacekeeping, humanitarian
and disaster relief missions. In the future, we must anticipate regional powers
threatening to use weapons of mass destruction, as well as threats posed by
religious and ethnic disputes, illegal drugs trafficking, terrorism and cyber
warfare. As we look ahead, the only certainty is that future threats will be
uncertain. The talent, dedication, patriotism and spirit of our people every day
transform forces and facilities into the most competent and powerful aerospace
force the world has ever known. From Korea, to Guam, to the United States, to
Bosnia, to Southwest Asia -- and every point in between -- the determination,
skill and pride of our people in their daily jobs -- and in our Air Force --
make all the difference. The reasons the 130-year-old tradition of Memorial Day
was established are but a footnote of history. Yet the ceremony, words and deeds
still ring true. It's to our fallen, military men and women, both of the past
and present, that we pay homage on this Memorial Day. Let us place flowers on a
gravesite. Let us pause for a moment of reverence. Let us reflect on the heroics
of men and women who answered when their country called for them to bear arms
and preserve the ideals of democracy. May we never forget the debt we owe them
and may we at all times give them the respect and honor that is their due. We
take pride in our fallen heroes and commit ourselves to use their inspiration to
go forth to preserve, protect and defend these United States. We dedicate
ourselves to extend their legacy, not just today but into the 21st century.
Today and every day, I am proud to be an American. I look out among you and I
know you are, too. No matter what walk of life -- we are proud to be Americans. ]]>
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