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Freedom Shrine Ceremony (honoring Roger Chaffee), Grand Rapids, MI, May 18, 1967
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Freedom Shrine Ceremony (honoring Roger Chaffee), Grand Rapids, MI, May 18, 1967
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This file contains material relating to Declaration of Independence.
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
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The original documents are located in Box D22, folder "Freedom Shrine Ceremony
(honoring Roger Chaffee), Grand Rapids, MI, May 18, 1967" of the Ford Congressional
Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D22 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH., AT CREEDOM SHRINE CEREMONY, THURSDAY,
MAY 18, 1967, AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, GRAND RAPIDS, HONORING ROGER CHAFFEE.
IT IS MOST APPROPRIATE THAT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL TODAY RECEIVES INTO ITS
HANDS COPIES OF GREAT AMERICAN DOCUMENTS WHICH GLOW WITH COURAGE AND DEVOTION
TO FREEDOM.
IT IS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE BECAUSE CENTRAL WAS ROGER CHAFFEE'S HIGH
SCHOOL -- THE SCHOOL IN WHICH A HERO ASTRONAUT SPENT MANY OF THE YEARS THAT
SHAPED HIM INTO A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF WHAT AN AMERICAN SHOULD BE. I JOIN WITH
YOU IN HONORING HIS MEMORY.
IT IS APPROPRIATE, TOO, THAT WE CONDUCT THIS CEREMONY TODAY BECAUSE IT
FALLS WITHIN A WEEK OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SPONTANEOUS OUTPOURINGS OF PATRIOTIC
FERVOR THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN.
I AM SPEAKING OF THE MAMMOTH PARADE LAST SATURDAY WHEN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
AMERICANS FLOODED DOWN FIFTH AVENUE IN NEW YORK CITY IN A DEMONSTRATION OF SUPPORT
FOR AMERICAN SERVICEMEN IN VIETNAM.
IT IS DIFFICULT FOR AMERICANS TO KEEP THEIR PRESPECTIVE IN THIS AGE OF
TURMOIL WHEN THE GIANT POWERS OF WORLD COMMUNISM COLLIDE CONSTANTLY WITH THE
COLOSSUS THAT IS THE UNITED STATES.
WE MUST BE EVER MINDFUL OF THE MEANING OF THE FREEDOM FOR WHICH AMERICANS
FOUGHT AND DIED IN 1776 -- AND HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AND DYING FOR EVER SINCE.
THERE IS A GREAT NEED IN THIS COUNTRY TODAY FOR CEREMONIES LIKE THE ONE WE
ARE TAKING PART IN HERE -- AND THE FLOOD OF PATRIOTISM UNLOOSED LAST SATURDAY IN
NEW YORK.
THE SHOW-OF-PATRIOTISM PARADE WAS INTENDED TO COUNTER ANOTHER, TOTALLY
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-2-
DIFFERENT KIND OF PARADE STAGED LAST APRIL 15 IN NEW YORK -- A MASSIVE PROTEST
AGAINST THE U.S. ROLE IN THE VIETNAM WAR.
last week fashional
THE OUTPOURING OF PATRIOTISM SERVED A HEALTHY PURPOSE. IT DEMONSTRATED TO THE
1
WORLD THE GREAT LOVE OF COUNTRY THAT BURNS IN THE BREASTS OF MOST AMERICANS. IT
WAS AN ANSWER NOT ONLY TO AMERICANS WHO SINCERELY QUESTION THE WISDOM OF OUR
INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM OR BELIEVE ALL KILLING IS SENSELESS BUT TO THOSE IN THIS
COUNTRY WHO WOULD OVERTURN OUR GOVERNMENT IF THEY COULD.
THIS KIND OF A PARADE IS GOOD. WE NEED A REBIRTH OF PATRIOTISM IN AMERICA --
THE FLAG-WAVING, GOD-BLESS-AMERICA VARIETY THAT WE SAW IN NEW YORK LAST SATURDAY.
BUT IN THE LONG REACH OF HISTORY, THE KIND OF PATRIOTISM THAT SOAKS DOWN DEEP
AND THRILLS US TO THE ROOTS OF OUR HAIR IS FOUND IN THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED TO
YOU HERE TODAY.
THE NAME GIVEN TO THESE 28 HISTORIC AMERICAN DOCUMENTS IS WELL CHOSEN --
FREEDOM SHRINE. FREEDOM IS ENSHRINED IN THESE PAPERS. IT GLOWS FROM THEIR PAGES.
I SALUTE THE SOUTH KENT EXCHANGE CLUB AND THE EXCHANGE CLUBS THROUGHOUT
AMERICA FOR TAKING IT UPON THEMSELVES TO PRESENT THESE FREEDOM SHRINE DOCUMENTS
TO SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO. THE PROJECT HAS GREAT
VALUE BECAUSE IT FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION ANEW ON THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN
FREEDOM.
WHAT IS THE REAL MEANING OF THE FREEDOM FOR WHICH AMERICANS TRUDGED THROUGH
THE SNOW OF VALLEY FORGE WITH FEET WRAPPED IN BLOOD-SOAKED BANDAGES %/ FELL IN THE
FORESTS OF ARGONNE, PIED ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY / WITHSTOOD THE COMMUNIST
WAVE IN KOREA AND NOW ARE BATTLING THE COMMUNIST FOE IN VIETNAM?
IT IS A FREEDOM THAT MEANS CIVIL LIBERTY IN THE GREATEST POSSIBLE DEGREE. IT
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-3-
CONFERS ON EACH INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM OF MIND, SPIRIT AND HEART AS WELL AS FREEDOM
OF MOVEMENT. IT ALLOWS EACH MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN AMERICA TO GIVE FULL PLAY TO
HIS CREATIVE TALENTS AND TO DEVELOP HIS POTENTIAL TO THE UTMOST. IT IS THE LIBERTY
TO EARN AND LEARN. / TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD PROPERTY / TO RISK CAPITAL AND REAP A PROFIT.
AMERICAN LIBERTY GIVES YOU A RIGHT NOBODY CAN TAKE FROM YOU -- A MOST PRECIOUS
RIGHT -- THE RIGHT TO THINK, SPEAK AND ACT AS YOU PLEASE PROVIDING YOU DO NOT
must
TRANSGRESS UPON THE RIGHTS OR PROPERTY OF OTHERS. WE CANNOT TAKE THAT LIBERTY FOR
GRANTED.
FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS AMERICAN LIBERTY HAS SERVED AS A BEACON OF HOPE FOR
THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS, DEPRIVED AND PERSECUTED PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ... PEOPLE WHOSE
HEARTS LEAPED WITHIN THEM WHEN THEY FIRST SAW THE GREAT STATUE OF LIBERTY IN NEW
YORK HARBOR.
TOO MANY AMERICANS HAVE BECOME BORED WITH TALK OF LIBERTY AND INDIVIDUAL
FREEDOM. UNLIKE OUR IMMIGRANTS, THEY HAVE NEVER KNOWN WHAT IT IS TO LIVE UNDER A
1
FOREIGN IDEOLOGY, AN AUTOCRATIC OR TOTALITARIAN REGIME. THEY ARE SPOILED, LIKE THE
PERSON WHO HAS NEVER KNOWN WHAT IT IS TO WORK HARD FOR A DOLLAR. THEY DIDN'T HAVE
TO EARN THEIR FREEDOM. THIS IS WHY WE NEED FREEDOM SHRINES ALL OVER AMERICA.
I WOULD WAGER THAT MANY AMERICANS WHO CONSTANTLY DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE
POLICIES OF OUR GOVERNMENT HAVE NEVER READ THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE
CONSTITUTION. OTHERS AMONG THEM ARE ONLY TOO HAPPY TO SEIZE UPON THE RIGHTS
GUARANTEED THEM BY THE CONSTITUTION AS A DEFENSE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
IT IS GOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS WELL AS ALL OTHERS --
OCCASIONALLY TO PAUSE AND DRINK IN AGAIN THE WORDS WHICH HAVE MADE THE NAME OF
THEIR COUNTRY SYNONYMOUS WITH FREEDOM THE WORLD OVER.
⑉4⑉
CONSIDER THE SIMPLE BUT MAGNIFICENT LANGUAGE IN OUR DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE, WHEN WE TOLD THE WORLD ON JULY 4, 1776, WHY THE 13 AMERICAN COLONIES
WERE BREAKING TIES WITH GREAT BRITAIN AND DECLARING THEMSELVES FREE AND INDEPENDENT
STATES.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, WHO WAS ASSIGNED THE TASK OF DRAFTING THE DECLARATION,
CREATED A GREAT HISTORIC DOCUMENT IN WHICH HE SET FORTH THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-
GOVERNMENT AND SPELLED OUT THE RIGHTS OF MAN.
"WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT," JEFFERSON WROTE, "THAT ALL MEN
ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN
INALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS."
JEFFERSON CAREFULLY NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENTS ESTABLISHED TO GUARANTEE THESE
RIGHTS RULE ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED, THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE.
SOME OF OUR OFFICE-HOLDERS TEND TO FORGET THIS.
MANY AMERICANS TEND TO FORGET THAT EVERY AMERICAN -- AND NOT JUST THEMSELVES --
HAVE BEEN ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS. WE SHOULD EVER
BE ON GUARD NOT ONLY TO PROTECT THOSE RIGHTS FOR OURSELVES INDIVIDUALLY BUT FOR ALL
OF OUR CITIZENS.
american
OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS AN INSPIRATION FOR OPPRESSED PEOPLES
1
EVERYWHERE. ITS FORTHRIGHT STATEMENT OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN CAUSED THE FLAME OF
LIBERTY TO BURN MORE BRIGHTLY WHEREVER A PEOPLE WAS DOWNTRODDEN. IT IS JUST AS
VALID TODAY, WHEN WORLD COMMUNISM SEEKS TO SWEEP MEN IN COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY
INTO A MACHINE-LIKE EXISTENCE DEDICATED TO THE GREATER GLORY OF THE STATE AND
COMMUNIST PARTY LEADERS.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-5-
THE VERY FIRST OF THE 10 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS KNOWN AS OUR BILL OF
RIGHTS GUARANTEES US FREEDOM OF SPEECH. IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE FREE SPEECH ONLY
TO LOYAL AMERICANS BUT TO ALL AMERICANS.
IT IS LEFT, THIN,FOR THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT TO
handfull of
ADVERTISE THE TRUTH AND TO DEFEND THE FREEDOMS THAT DISLOYAL AMERICANS AND
1
TOTALITARIAN REGIMES WOULD TAKE FROM US.
IN THIS FREEDOM SHRINE WE HOLD UP FREEDOM, LIBERTY AND THE GREAT TRUTHS FOR
ALL TO SEE AND PONDER. WE CARRY IT INTO THE FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS YET UNBORN.
WE USE IT TO FORTIFY OUR INDIVIDUAL DEDICATION TO THE REAL MEANING OF FREEDOM so
THAT WE CAN MEET THE FUTURE WITH STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE.
WE HEREBY RESOLVE TO DEFEND AND PROTECT OUR AMERICAN DREAM A SOCIETY BUILT
ON A FOUNDATION OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL HUMAN
BEING.
IN THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE
ESTABLISHING THAT CONSTITUTION TO "SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND
OUR POSTERITY."
WHAT FOLLOWS AFTER THAT PREAMBLE IS MORE THAN JUST WORDS ON A PIECE OF PAPER.
IT IS LIVING LAW THE BASIC LAW OF THE LAND.
IT IS THE BASIC RULE OF LAW FOR A PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUND TRUE FREEDOM FOR
THEMSELVES AND WILL FOREVER SEEK TO DEFEND IT.
LET ME REMIND YOU THAT THE FREE WORLD EXISTS TODAY PRIMARILY BECAUSE 190
Because 2 america's strength ml unselfrshness
YEARS AGO THERE WAS A FOURTH OF JULY. FRANCE IS FREE; ENGLAND IS FREE; HOLLAND AND
from Hither + Musshir 1
BELGIUM ARE FREE. WE ARE THE STRONG RIGHT ARM OF FREEDOM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
1
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-6-
SHOULD WE HIDE THE LIGHT OF THAT FREEDOM UNDER A BUSHEL? SHOULD WE HUG
our brothers who see america as the Pannade
IT CLOSELY TO OURSELVES AND IGNORE THE REST OF THE WORLD? SHOULD NE SACRIFICE
# for free men
THE MILLIONS OF TERRORIZED SOUTH VIETNAMESE TO THE AMBITIONS OF NORTH VIETNAM'S
HO CHI MINH, RED CHINA'S MAO AND THE OTHER COMMUNIST LEADERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA?
I DON'T THINK YOU REALLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD DO THAT. AND IF YOU WERE TO BE
COMPLETELY SELFISH ABOUT IT, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER THAT RED CHINA PROBABLY WILL BE
KNOCKING AT OUR OWN DOOR IN ABOUT 10 YEARS IF COMMUNIST EXPANS ION IN ASIA IS NOT
CHECKED NOW.
I BELIEVE YOU WANT TO HELP KEEP THE FREE WORLD FREE. I BELIEVE YOU ARE PROUD
OF A NATION WHICH HAS ENDURED AND GROWN INCREAS INGLY STRONG WHILE ITS PEOPLE HAVE
ENJOYED THE RIGHT TO DISAGREE, TO CRITICIZE THEIR GOVERNMENT AND EVEN TO HEAP SCORN
ON MEN IN PUBLIC OFFICE.
WHEN WE THINK OF THE FAIR-MINDNESS OF MOST AMERICANS, WE CAN BE PROUD. WHEN
WE THINK OF THE IDEALISM AND BRAVERY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, WE CAN BE PROUD. AND
WHEN WE THINK OF OUR FREEDOMS WE CAN BE PROUD.
NO OTHER NATION HAS FOUGHT so HARD FOR OTHERS OR SHARED ITS ABUNDANCE so
GENEROUSLY. WE HAVE MADE MISTAKES AND WE HAVE MANY TIMES WASTED MEN AND MONEY, BUT
WE CAN BE PROUD.
ANY LIST OF WHAT'S RIGHT WITH AMERICA IS A RINGING ENDORSEMENT OF ALL THE
WISE WORDS PLACED BEFORE YOU IN THE EXCHANGE CLUB'S FREEDOM SHRINE.
WE CAN BE PROUD, BUT WE MUST CONFESS TO OURSELVES THAT...
"ALL WE HAVE OF FREEDOM, ALL WE USE OR KNOW--
THIS OUR FATHERS BOUGHT FOR US LONG AND LONG AGO."
Possonal
I FEEL SURE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK UPON THE DRAFT CARD BURNERS YOU TURN AWAY WITH
stay
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
-7-
REVULSION. FOR I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU SUBSCRIBE, AS DO I, TO THIS CREED:
WE, TOO, BORN TO FREEDOM, AND BELIEVING IN FREEDOM, ARE WILLING TO FIGHT
TO MAINTAIN FREEDOM. WE, AND ALL OTHERS WHO BELIEVE AS DEEPLY AS WE DO, WOULD
RATHER DIE ON OUR FEET THAN LIVE ON OUR KNEES. THANK YOU.
GERALO FORD VIBRARY
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH., AT FREEDOM SHRINE CEREMONY, THURSDAY,
MAY 18, 1967, AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, GRAND RAPIDS, HONORING ROGER CHAFFEE.
It is most appropriate that Central High School today receives into its
hands copies of great American documents which glow with courage and devotion to
freedom.
particularly
It is appropriate because Central was Roger Chaffee's high school--the
school in which a hero astronaut spent many of the years that shaped him
into a splendåd example of what an American should be. I join with you in honoring
his memory.
It is appropriate, too, that we conduct this ceremony today because it
spontaneous
falls within a week of one of the greatest outpourings of patriotic fervor this
country has ever seen.
I am speaking of the mammoth parade last Saturday when tens of
flooded down
thousands
of
Americans
Fifth Avenue in New York City in a demonstration
of support for American servicemen in Vietnam.
It is difficult for Americans to keep their perspective
in this age of turmoil when the giant powers of world communism collide
constantly with the Colossus that is the United States.
We must be ever mindful of the meaming of
the freedom for which Americans fought and died in 1776--and have been fighting and dying
for ever since.
There is a great need in this - country today for ceremonies like the
one
we
are
Jafeing partin here--and the flood of patriotism unloosed
last Saturday in New York.
The
show-of-patriotism parade was intended to counter another,
totally different kind of parade staged last April 15 in New York--a massive protest
the
role
against U.S. in the Vietnam War.
The outpouring of patriotism served a healthy purpose. It demonstrated to the
world the great love of country that burns in the breasts of most Americans.
It was an answer not only to Americans who sincerely question the wisdom of our
involvement in Vietnam or believe all killing is senseless but to those in this
with country who would overturn our government if they could.
his kind of a parade is good. We need a HINK rebirth of patriotism in American
the flag-waving, God-Ble ss-America variety that we saw in New York last
Saturday.
But in the long reach of history, the kind of patriotism that soaks down deep
and thrills us to the roots of our hair is found in the documents presented to you
here today.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-2-
The name given to these 28
historic merican documents is
well
chosen--Freedom Shrine. Freedom is enshrined in these papers. It glows from
their pages.
I salute the South Kent Exchange Club and the Exchange Clubs throughout
America for taking it upon themselves to present these Freedom Shrine documents
to schools in the United States and Puerto Rico. I think the project has
great value because it focuses our attention anew on the meaning and
value
of American freedom.
americans
What is the real meaning of the freedom
for which
trudged through
the snow of Valley Forge with feet wrapped in blood-soaked bandages fell
Communist
in the forests of Argonne, died on the beaches of Normandy, withstood the
wave
in Korea and now are battling the Communist foe in Vietnam?
Itis freedom a that means
civil liberty in the greatest possible degree.
each
It confers on individual freedom of mind, spirit and heart as well as freedom
of movement. It allows each man, woman and child in America to give full play to
his creative talents and to develop his potential to the utmost. It is the liberty
to earn and learn, to acquire and hold property, to risk capital and reap a profit.
American liberty gives you
a right nobody can take from you--a most
precious right--the right to think, speak and act as you please providing you do not
upon
transgre
the rights or property of others.
We cannot take that liberty for granted. TFOr For hundreds of years americanliferty BE has served
as a because beacon of hope for thousands of homeless, deprived and persecuted
people of the world.
people whose hearts leaped within them
when
great
they first saw the /S Statue of Liberty in New York harbor.
too many Amer icans
have become bored with talk of liberty and individual freedom.
Unlike our immigrants, they have never known what it is to live under a foreign
ideology, an autocratic or
at totalitarian regime. They are spoiled, like the person
who has never known what it is to work hard for a dollar. They didn't have to
earn their freedom.
This is why we need Freedom Shrines all over America.
HI
I would wager that many
Americans who constantly demonstrate against the policies of our government
have never read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Others
among them are only too happy to seize upon the rights
guaranteed them by the
Constitution as a defense for their
actions.
GERMLD FORD LIBRARY
-3-
It is good for all MI Americans--members of Congress as well as all others-
occasionally to pause and drink in again
and
the
the words which have made the name of
their country synonymous with
freedom the world over.
Consider the simple but magnificent language in our Declaration of
13
Independence, when we told the world on July 4, 1776, why the American colonies
free and independent states.
were breaking ties with Great Britain and declaring themselves
Thomas Jefferson, who was assigned the task of drafting the declaration,
created a great historic document in which he set forth the
principle of self-government and spelled out the rights of man.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident," Jefferson wrote, "that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed SEEL by their Creator with certain
inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
"
Happiness.
Jefferson carefully noted that the governments established to guarantee
these rights rule only with the consent of the governed, the consent of the people.
Some of our office-holders tend to
forget this.
Many Americans tend to forget that every
American--and not just
themsetves--have been endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
Rights. We should ever
be on guard not only to protect those rights for
individually
ourselves but for all of our citizens.
Our Declaration of Independence was an inspiration for oppressed
peoples
everywhere. Its forthright statement of the Rights of Man
caused the flame of liberty to burn more brightly wherever a people
was downtwodden. It is just as valid today when
world communism seeks to sweep men in country after country into a machine-like
existence dedicated to the greater glory of the states and Communist Party
leaders.
Trankland
the
Communist
threat
outside
our
gates
would deprive
their
eitizens
who
are
Communist
sympathizers
the
to
speak
We
the
living
instrument
of
Government
which
our
Constitution.
We
solonists
rebelling
against
rule
and
three
or
the
original
I
states
which
ratified
the
Constitution did with the insistence that a Bill Rights be attached it.
The
very first of the 10 constitutional amendments known as our Bill of Rights
guarantees us Freedom of Speech. It does not guarantee free speech only to loyal
Americans but to all Americans.
-4-
It is left, then, for thousand those of us who believe in our form of
defend
Government to advertise the Truth and to
the
freedoms that disloyal Americans and totalitarian regimes would
take from us.
In
this Freedom Shrine we hold up Freedom, Liberty and the Great
Truths for all to see and ponder. We carry it into the future for generations yet
unborn. We use it to fortify our individual dedication to the real meaning of
Freedom so that we can meet the future with strength and confidence.
We hereby resolve to defend and protect our American dream--a society
built on a foundation of human dignity and the God-given rights of the
individual human being.
peoples know that Amriema never the dignity
and senobity of except when forced to do 50 in wars for the defense
Liberty
against
In the Preamble to the Constitution the American people said they were were establish
that
Constitution to "secure the Blé ssings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
after that Preamble
What follows is more than just words on a piece of paper. It is living law-the
basic law of the land.
It is the basic Rule of Law for a people who have found true freedom for
themselves and will forever seek to defend it.
You know about the nightmare of Communism- the brutal ensiavement by the Soviety
Union of the Milli the Baltic countries, the Poles, the Hungarians and the other
peoples of Eastern Europe, the savage manner in which the Soviety Union
crushed an uprising by Hungar ian freedom fighters in late 1956, the Communist
aggression in Korea in 1950 when Sovietrogripped North Koreans crossed over into
South Korea and triggered a bloodyng three-year war.
Now we are engaged in the thir d largest foreign war in our history
the Vietnam War -again against a
foe
bent
on
a
Communist
take over,
Let me remind you that the Free World exists today primarily because 190
years ago there was a Fourth of July.
France is free; England is free; Holland and Belgium are free. We are
the strong right arm of freedom throughout the world.
Should we hide the light of that freedom under a bushel? Should we
hug it closely to ourselves and ignore the rest of the world? Should we sacrifice
the millions of terrorized South Vietnamese to the ambitions of
Nor
Kerea
10
Ho
Chi
Minh,
LIBRARY
Red China's Mao and the other Communist leaders in Southeast Asia?
-5-
I don't think you really believe we should do that. And if you were to
be completely selfish about it, you might consider that Red China probably
will be knocking at our own door in about 10 years if Communist expansion in
Asia is not checked: now.
I believe you want to help keep the Free World free. I believe you
are proud of a Nation which has endured and grown director increasingly strong
while giving its people have enjoyed the right to disagree, to
criticize
their government and even to heap scorn on men in public office.
There are those who like to make a long list of what's wrong with
America.
All of us are aware of the many problems facing us--in our local
communities and nationally. We can attack those problems without cutting ourselves
down in the process.
We would do well to think about what is right with America
The progress that has been made in civil R rights, in making every
American color blind.
500 The idealism and patriotism of thousands of our young people in the Peace
Corps and various local community projects--as contrasted with the stupid existences
of the beatniks and the ISD-trippers. TIP The bravery and dedication of the three astronauts--
our own Roger Chaffee among them-who gave their lives in conquest of space.
0 The courage and resolve of young Americans fighting in Vietnam the heroism of
the Negro soldier who threw himself on a hand grenade to save his buddies, of Captain
Bill Carpenter calling for American planes to drop napalm on his own position to stop
the enemy advance.
When we think of the fair-mindedne SS of most Americans, we cany be proud.
When we think of the idealism and bravery of our young people, we can be
proud. And when we think of our freedoms we can be proud.
No other nation has fought so hard for others or shared its abundance so
generously. We have made mistakes and we have many times wasted men and money, but
FORD
we can be proud.
any
list of what's right with America is mix a ringing endorsement of all
LIBRARY
the - wise words placed before you in the Exchange Club's
-6-
Freedom Shrine.
We can be proud, but we must confess to ourselves that
"All we have of freedom, all we use or know--
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago."
I feel sure that when you look upon the * draft card burners
you turn away with revulsion.
For I am certain that you subscribe, as do
I, to this creed:
We, too, born to freedom, and believing in freedom, are willing to fight to
maintain freedom. We, and all others who believe as deeply as we do, would rather
die on our feet than live on our knees.
Thank you.
####
GERALD FORD LIBRARY