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(gentle music)

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- [Narrator] Today at the historic

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Offutt Air Force Base cemetery,

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in conjunction with thousands

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of other cemeteries across the country,

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we stand as one nation to
remember, honor, and teach.

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We are all proud to be Americans
living in a free society,

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made up of many people
from many walks of life.

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The freedoms we enjoy today

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have not come without a price.

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In cemeteries throughout
this nation and overseas,

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are men and women who gave their lives

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so that we can live in
freedom and without fear.

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We can worship or not, as we see fit.

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We can raise our children
to believe as we do.

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We can travel from one
end of this great nation

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to the other without
having to ask permission.

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We are free to vote
for whomever we choose.

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We have the right to succeed,

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and we have the right
to fail and try again

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at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue.

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The United States of America was founded

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on the ideals of freedom,
justice, and equality for all.

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Our nation stands as a beacon

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of liberty and freedom to the world.

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We thank those who gave
their lives to keep us free.

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And we shall not forget you.

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We shall remember not only their
sacrifice, but their lives.

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Many of you are veterans
of wars and conflicts

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that America has had to fight

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to protect the innocent and oppressed.

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This nation has always
been the first to stand up

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for the freedom of
people around the world.

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Many of you have answered that call

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and served your country well.

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We are here to say thank you,

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and we are honored to know you.

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There are many men and women serving today

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in all branches of the military,

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here at home and in places far away.

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We honor them and their
families for the sacrifices

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they make each day to
keep our country safe

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from terrorism, hatred, and injustice.

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Quoting our 40th president, Ronald Reagan,

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- [Ronald] Freedom is never
more than one generation

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away from extinction.

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We didn't pass it on to our
children in the bloodstream.

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The only way they could inherit
the freedom we have known

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is if we fight for it,
protect it, defend it,

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and then hand it to them
with the well-taught lessons

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of how they in their
lifetime must do the same.

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And if you and I don't do this,

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then you and I may well
spend our sunset years

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telling our children and
our children's children

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what it once was like in
America, when men were free.

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- [Narrator] We want
to show a united front

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of gratitude and respect

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across the United States of America,

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as we remember the fallen,
honor those who serve,

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and teach our children
the value of freedom.

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Six ceremonial wreaths have
been placed in advance,

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representing the United
States Army, Marine Corps,

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Navy, Air Force, Coast
Guard, and Merchant Marines.

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An additional wreath
has been placed in honor

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of the 93,129 United States servicemen

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from all branches of the
service whose last known status

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was either prisoners of
war or missing in action.

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These individuals have never returned

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to their families and homes.

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We shall not forget you.

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Our eighth ceremonial wreath is in honor

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of the 22 veterans and
active duty service members

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who lose their personal struggle

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with the invisible wounds of war daily.

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A small group of volunteers
placed a wreath on each grave,

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said their name aloud, and
took a moment to thank them

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for their service to our country.

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- Montgomery McCormick, on
behalf of a grateful nation,

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we thank you for your service.

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- John M. Sheeran.

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U.S. Navy Chief.

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- [Narrator] It's a small
act that goes a long way

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toward keeping the memory
of our veterans alive.

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Each wreath is a gift of appreciation

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from a grateful American.

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The live balsam fir
wreaths symbolize our honor

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to those who have served and are serving

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in the armed forces of our great nation.

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We are also honoring the
families of those who serve,

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as they too endure
sacrifices every single day

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on the nation's behalf.

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This hallowed ground is the resting place

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of not only our veterans,

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but their families who
live the life of sacrifice

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to this nation alongside them.

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- Infant son of Charles Haggerty.

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- [Narrator] To our children,
we want you to understand

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the freedoms you enjoy
today have not been free,

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but have come with a cost that someday

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you may have to pay yourself.

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As a nation standing together,

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we can defeat terrorism,
hatred, and injustice.

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Thanks to our veterans, we have
the freedom to do just that.

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Thank you to our donors and volunteers

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for making this a reality.

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Because of your generous contributions,

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every grave has been covered.

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Thank you for joining today,

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and may you have the happiest of holidays.

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(gentle music)