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CNN Live Event/Special

Brig. Gen. David Grange's Remarks at Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Aired May 26, 2003 - 13:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As I sit here at the Iwo Jima Memorial, across the river at the Vietnam Memorial, "the Wall" as it is know, a familiar face to CNN viewers -- Brigadier General David Grange, U.S. ranger -- U.S. Army ranger is now addressing the assembled masses.
Let's listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET.), U.S. ARMY: ...the youth of our country and the long commitment by America's G.I. abroad and also in Vietnam. Visitors at the Wall and the visitors center will forever understand that, as Calvin Coolidge said, "a nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." And thank you goodness that we have representatives in our government, like Senator Chuck Hagel that remember and feel that way.

(APPLAUSE)

GRANGE: Here at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, like in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) fields, these souls around us remind all of us that if we break faith with those who die we shall not sleep.

Though the Vietnam War was lost many veterans who continued to serve, like myself, learn from that experience. And we gave a promise to the falling around us that they would not have died in vain, that we would learn from our Vietnam experiences and apply those lessons in future conflicts.

A special appreciation to the mothers of Vietnam veterans. It's an important aspect of what they do. I remember joining my father in Vietnam and how my mother felt when both of us was overseas at the same time. I would like to also appreciate my fellow veterans.

O'BRIEN: We've been listening to Brigadier General David Grange addressing the crowd at there at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and as soon as he finishes his speech the ceremony there is to add six names to the wall, six people who died as a result of their service in the Vietnam War, now given their proper place in remembrance.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Memorial>


Aired May 26, 2003 - 13:40   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As I sit here at the Iwo Jima Memorial, across the river at the Vietnam Memorial, "the Wall" as it is know, a familiar face to CNN viewers -- Brigadier General David Grange, U.S. ranger -- U.S. Army ranger is now addressing the assembled masses.
Let's listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET.), U.S. ARMY: ...the youth of our country and the long commitment by America's G.I. abroad and also in Vietnam. Visitors at the Wall and the visitors center will forever understand that, as Calvin Coolidge said, "a nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." And thank you goodness that we have representatives in our government, like Senator Chuck Hagel that remember and feel that way.

(APPLAUSE)

GRANGE: Here at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, like in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) fields, these souls around us remind all of us that if we break faith with those who die we shall not sleep.

Though the Vietnam War was lost many veterans who continued to serve, like myself, learn from that experience. And we gave a promise to the falling around us that they would not have died in vain, that we would learn from our Vietnam experiences and apply those lessons in future conflicts.

A special appreciation to the mothers of Vietnam veterans. It's an important aspect of what they do. I remember joining my father in Vietnam and how my mother felt when both of us was overseas at the same time. I would like to also appreciate my fellow veterans.

O'BRIEN: We've been listening to Brigadier General David Grange addressing the crowd at there at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and as soon as he finishes his speech the ceremony there is to add six names to the wall, six people who died as a result of their service in the Vietnam War, now given their proper place in remembrance.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Memorial>