Ask the Scholar

Document scope · 1 page
doc
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory. For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
323152297
label
Wreath-Laying at Navy Memorial 12/7/92 [OA 8485]
core
doc
dtoType
document
pageCount
1
Source metadata
Source extras
naId
323152297
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
9b16c66f5ebf3b42
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Speech File Draft Files Subseries: Chron File, 1989-1993 OA/ID Number: 13649 Folder ID Number: 13649-001 Folder Title: Wreath-Laying at Navy Memorial 12/7/92 [OA 8485] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 26 18 6 1 WREATH LAYING \ NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 \ 3:00 P.M. ADMIRAL WILLIAM THOMPSON, THANK YOU FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY SEAN O'KEEFE. ADMIRAL FRANK KELSO. ADMIRAL PAUL HOWELL. CAPTAIN BILL PERRY, THANK YOU FOR THE INVOCATION. - 2 - TODAY WE REMEMBER THE SERVICEMEN -- THE BRAVE AND THE INNOCENT -- WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES TO KEEP US FREE. THE MEN WE HONOR SERVED A NOBLE CAUSE AND MADE AMERICA FOREVER PROUD. WAR EMBODIES MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN. THESE HEROES MIRRORED MAN'S FIDELITY TO HONOR. THE MEN OF PEARL HARBOR KNEW THE THINGS WORTH LIVING FOR WERE ALSO WORTH DYING FOR: PRINCIPLE, DECENCY, LIBERTY, TRUTH. - 3 - So IT IS IN THEIR HONOR THAT TWO NEW SHIPS WILL JOIN THE FLEET. THE FIRST, A NEW DESTROYER, WILL BE NAMED U.S.S. ROSS FOR CAPTAIN DONALD Ross, HERO AND MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER AT PEARL HARBOR. I MET DON Ross AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEARL HARBOR LAST DECEMBER. - 4 - HE PASSED AWAY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, BUT THE DESTROYER U.S.S. ROSS WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN Ross IN A WAY THAT WILL ALWAYS LIVE. THE SECOND SHIP IS, IN A SENSE, NAMED FOR ALL WHO FOUGHT AT PEARL HARBOR. INDEED, FOR THE ENTIRE GENERATION OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO ENTERED THE SERVICE INSPIRED BY THE HEROISM OF THAT DAY. - 5 - To COMMEMORATE THE SACRIFICE AND HONOR OF EVERY SAILOR, MARINE, SOLDIER, AND AIRMAN WHO FOUGHT so VALIANTLY ON THE 7TH OF DECEMBER 1941, WE WILL BE NAMING AMPHIBIOUS Dock LANDING SHIP #52, THE U.S.S. PEARL HARBOR ON THAT LONG-AGO DAY OF INFAMY, BRAVE BOYS BECAME MEN -- AND BRAVE MEN BECAME HEROES. - 6 - IN THAT SPIRIT, LET THIS WREATH I PLACE AT THE FOOT OF THE MEMORIAL SERVE AS A SYMBOL OF OUR GRATITUDE AND RESPECT. WE CAN NEVER PROPERLY REPAY THESE MEN. WHAT WE CAN, AND MUST, DO IS HONOR THEM, REMEMBER THEM. REMEMBER, Too, THE LESSON WE LEARNED AT PEARL HARBOR -- THAT AMERICA WILL ALWAYS STAND FAST so THAT HUMAN LIBERTY CAN STAND TALL. - 7 - MAY GOD BLESS ALL SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES -- THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE WHO ARE SERVING AS WE SPEAK. MAY GOD BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK YOU. # # # WREATH LAYING \ NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 \ 3:00 P.M. ADMIRAL WILLIAM THOMPSON, THANK YOU FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY SEAN O'KEEFE. ADMIRAL FRANK KELSO. ADMIRAL PAUL HOWELL. CAPTAIN BILL PERRY, THANK YOU FOR THE INVOCATION. - 2 - TODAY WE REMEMBER THE SERVICEMEN -- THE BRAVE AND THE INNOCENT -- WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES To KEEP US FREE. THE MEN WE HONOR SERVED A NOBLE CAUSE AND MADE AMERICA FOREVER PROUD. WAR EMBODIES MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN. THESE HEROES MIRRORED MAN'S FIDELITY TO HONOR. THE MEN OF PEARL HARBOR KNEW THE THINGS WORTH LIVING FOR WERE ALSO WORTH DYING FOR: PRINCIPLE, DECENCY, LIBERTY, TRUTH. - 3 - So IT IS IN THEIR HONOR THAT TWO NEW SHIPS WILL JOIN THE FLEET. THE FIRST, A NEW DESTROYER, WILL BE NAMED U.S.S. ROSS FOR CAPTAIN DONALD Ross, HERO AND MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER AT PEARL HARBOR. I MET DON Ross AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEARL HARBOR LAST DECEMBER. - 4 - HE PASSED AWAY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, BUT THE DESTROYER U.S.S. ROSS WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN Ross IN A WAY THAT WILL ALWAYS LIVE. THE SECOND SHIP IS, IN A SENSE, NAMED FOR ALL WHO FOUGHT AT PEARL HARBOR. INDEED, FOR THE ENTIRE GENERATION OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO ENTERED THE SERVICE INSPIRED BY THE HEROISM OF THAT DAY. - 5 - To COMMEMORATE THE SACRIFICE AND HONOR OF EVERY SAILOR, MARINE, SOLDIER, AND AIRMAN WHO FOUGHT so VALIANTLY ON THE 7TH OF DECEMBER 1941, WE WILL BE NAMING AMPHIBIOUS Dock LANDING SHIP #52, THE U.S.S. PEARL HARBOR. ON THAT LONG-AGO DAY OF INFAMY, BRAVE BOYS BECAME MEN -- AND BRAVE MEN BECAME HEROES. - 6 - IN THAT SPIRIT, LET THIS WREATH I PLACE AT THE FOOT OF THE MEMORIAL SERVE AS A SYMBOL OF OUR GRATITUDE AND RESPECT. WE CAN NEVER PROPERLY REPAY THESE MEN. WHAT WE CAN, AND MUST, DO IS HONOR THEM, REMEMBER THEM. REMEMBER, Too, THE LESSON WE LEARNED AT PEARL HARBOR -- THAT AMERICA WILL ALWAYS STAND FAST so THAT HUMAN LIBERTY CAN STAND TALL. - 7 - MAY GOD BLESS ALL SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES -- THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE WHO ARE SERVING AS WE SPEAK. MAY GOD BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK YOU. # # # THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN THE WHITE HOUSE 12/7/92 WASHINGTON DIEC P2:16 December 4, 1992 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: DAN McGROARTY Dur FROM: CHRISTINA MARTIN cm SUBECT: WREATH LAYING AT NAVY MEMORIAL Sir, 3:00 Monday afternoon you will participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial. An audience of 1,000 is expected. Included in that number are Navy personnel assigned to White House duty. The remarks (3 minutes, on cards) pay tribute to the men who gave their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft One PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Rear Admiral William Thompson, thank you for that kind introduction. Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe. Admiral Frank Kelso. Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The men of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named U.S.S. ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer U.S.S. ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship U.S.S. PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. May God bless all servicemen and their families -- those who have served and those who are serving as we speak. May God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # # Document No. WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM DATE: 12/4/92 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: --- PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING AT NAVY MEMORIAL SUBJECT: MONDAY, 12/7/92 ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCBRIDE BAKER MOORE SCOWCROFT MULLINS DARMAN PETERSMEYER BATES PORTER BRADY PROVOST BROMLEY ROSS CALIO SMITH DEMAREST TUTWILER FITZWATER ZOELLICK GRAY MCGROARTY HOLIDAY GAUGHAN HORNER REMARKS: The attached has been forwarded to the President. RESPONSE: PHILLIP D. BRADY Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON 2 DEC 4 P2:21 December 4, 1992 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: DAN McGROARTY Dwr FROM: CHRISTINA MARTIN cm SUBECT: WREATH LAYING AT NAVY MEMORIAL Sir, 3:00 Monday afternoon you will participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial. An audience of 1,000 is expected. Included in that number are Navy personnel assigned to White House duty. The remarks (3 minutes, on cards) pay tribute to the men who gave their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft One PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Rear Admiral William Thompson, thank you for that kind introduction. Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe. Admiral Frank Kelso. Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The men of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named U.S.S. ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer U.S.S. ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship U.S.S. PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. May God bless all servicemen and their families -- those who have served and those who are serving as we speak. May God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # # - Keith Hawn - NSC Pearl Harbor LSD 52 Ross - DDG 61 Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft Zero PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The men of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Document No. 365864ss WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM DATE: 12/4/92 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: TODAY, 12/4 1:00 pm PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING SUBJECT: NAVY MEMORIAL - MONDAY, DEC. 7 ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCBRIDE BAKER MOORE SCOWCROFT MULLINS DARMAN PETERSMEYER BATES PORTER BRADY > PROVOST BROMLEY ROSS CALIO SMITH DEMAREST TUTWILER FITZWATER ZOELLICK MCGROARTY GRAY HOLIDAY GAUGHAN HORNER REMARKS: Please forward your comments directly to Dan McGroarty, Rm. 122, x2930, no later than 1:00 p.m., TODAY, DECEMBER 4, with a copy to this office. Thank you. RESPONSE: no comment PHILLIP D. BRADY Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft Zero 2 020 4 All : 13 13 PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The men of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. May God bless all servicemen and their families, and may God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # # Document No. 365864ss 8860 WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM DATE: 12/4/92 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: TODAY, 12/4 1:00pm PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING SUBJECT: NAVY MEMORIAL - MONDAY, DEC. 7 ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCBRIDE BAKER MOORE SCOWCROFT MULLINS DARMAN PETERSMEYER BATES PORTER BRADY PROVOST BROMLEY ROSS CALIO SMITH DEMAREST TUTWILER FITZWATER ZOELLICK MCGROARTY GRAY HOLIDAY GAUGHAN HORNER REMARKS: Please forward your comments directly to Dan McGroarty, Rm. 122, x2930, no later than 1:00 p.m., TODAY, DECEMBER 4, with a copy to this office. Thank you. RESPONSE: TO: DAN McGROARTY December 4, 1992 copy: The National Security Council Staff concurs subject PHILLIP D. BRADY to the indicated changes. Assistant to the President from Brent Scowcroft and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft Zero PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 AND WOMEN Today we remember the servicemen^ -- the brave and the people innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The [men]we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The [men] DEFENDERS of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship PEARL HARBOR. AMERICAN AMEN AND WOMEN LEARNED WHAT On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. IT MEANS TO SACRIFICE FOR ONE'S COUNTRY. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. AND WOMEN We can never properly repay these men! What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES May God bless all [servicemen] and their families, and may God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # # Document No. 365864ss WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM DATE: 12/4/92 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: TODAY, 12/4 1:00 pm PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING SUBJECT: NAVY MEMORIAL - MONDAY, DEC. 7 ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCBRIDE BAKER x MOORE SCOWCROFT N/C x MULLINS DARMAN N/L PETERSMEYER N/C BATES PORTER BRADY PROVOST BROMLEY ROSS CALIO N/C SMITH DEMAREST TUTWILER FITZWATER X ZOELLICK N/C MCGROARTY GRAY HOLIDAY GAUGHAN HORNER REMARKS: Please forward your comments directly to Dan McGroarty, Rm. 122, x2930, no later than 1:00 p.m., TODAY, DECEMBER 4, with a copy to this office. Thank you. RESPONSE: called 12:00 PHILLIP D. BRADY Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft Zero PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The hours men defenders of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. May God bless all servicemen and their families, and may God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # # THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON December 4, 1992 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: DAN McGROARTY Dur FROM: CHRISTINA MARTIN cm SUBECT: WREATH LAYING AT NAVY MEMORIAL Sir, 3:00 Monday afternoon you will participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial. An audience of 1,000 is expected. Included in that number are Navy personnel assigned to White House duty. The remarks (3 minutes, on cards) pay tribute to the men who gave their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Chrmn Adm. Adm. Howell Intro- off-stase in Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft One PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Rear Admiral William Thompson, thank you for that kind introduction. Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe. Admiral Frank Kelso. Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The men of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named U.S.S. ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer U.S.S. ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship U.S.S. PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. May God bless all servicemen and their families -- those who have served and those who are serving as we speak. May God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # # THE WHITE HOUSE December 4, 1992 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: DAN McGROARTY Dur FROM: CHRISTINA MARTIN cm SUBECT: WREATH LAYING AT NAVY MEMORIAL Sir, 3:00 Monday afternoon you will participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial. An audience of 1,000 is expected. Included in that number are Navy personnel assigned to White House duty. The remarks (3 minutes, on cards) pay tribute to the men who gave their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Martin Dec. 4, 1992 Draft One PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: WREATH LAYING NAVY MEMORIAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1992 Rear Admiral William Thompson, thank you for that kind introduction. Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe. Admiral Frank Kelso. Today we remember the servicemen -- the brave and the innocent -- who gave their lives to keep us free. The men we honor served a noble cause and made America forever proud. War embodies man's inhumanity to man. These heroes mirrored man's fidelity to honor. The men of Pearl Harbor knew the things worth living for were also worth dying for: Principle, decency, liberty, truth. So it is in their honor that two new ships will join the fleet. The first, a new destroyer, will be named U.S.S. ROSS for Captain Donald Ross, hero and Medal of Honor winner at Pearl Harbor. I met Don Ross at the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor last December. He passed away in May of this year, but the destroyer U.S.S. ROSS will pay tribute to Captain Ross in a way that will always live. The second ship is, in a sense, named for all who fought at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, for the entire generation of young men and women who entered the service inspired by the heroism of that day. To commemorate the sacrifice and honor of every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who fought so valiantly on the 7th of December 1941, we will be naming an Amphibious Dock Landing ship U.S.S. PEARL HARBOR. On that long-ago day of infamy, brave boys became men -- and brave men became heroes. In that spirit, let this wreath I place at the foot of the memorial serve as a symbol of our gratitude and respect. We can never properly repay these men. What we can, and must, do is honor them, remember them. Remember, too, the lesson we learned at Pearl Harbor -- that America will always stand fast so that human liberty can stand tall. May God bless all servicemen and their families -- those who have served and those who are serving as we speak. May God bless this great country, the United States of America. Thank you. # # #