Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.
Interpretation
The quote honors the sacrifices made by soldiers for freedom, emphasizing a profound respect for those who have fallen in battle.
Colin Powell reflects on the sacrifices of American soldiers who have fought for freedom globally, highlighting their bravery and commitment. He emphasizes that the only request from the nation is a respectful recognition of their ultimate sacrifice— a place to honor those who did not return. This illustrates the deep value placed on human life and the moral obligation to remember and respect those who have given everything for the greater good.
In practice
In a Memorial Day speech to honor fallen soldiers.
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. I am talking about a gung-ho attitude that says 'we can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best. 'Spare me the grim litany of the 'realist;' give me the unrealistic aspirations of the optimist any day.
One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop.
Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.
If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.
High-quality early-childhood programs and health coverage have expanded, and the number of mentoring relationships for at-risk youth has risen dramatically. That progress is encouraging, but it's not evenly distributed.
As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.
This is a fight between a free world and a slave world.
It is very discouraging to be in a team with white athletes. On the track you are Tommie Smith, the fastest man in the world, but once you are in the dressing rooms you are nothing more than a dirty Negro.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
We've all lived through something horrific, but the strength and beauty and knowledge that we're going to win eventually is what keeps me going.
And if a minister shall usurp the supreme and absolute govern ment of America, and set up his instructions as laws in the colonies, and their Governors shall be so weak or so wicked, as for the sake of keeping their places, to be made the instruments in putting them in execu tion, who will presume to say that the people have not a right, or that it is not their indispensible duty to God and their Country, by all rational means in their power to RESIST THEM.
You have to run risks. There are no certainties in war. There is a precipice on either side of you - a precipice of caution and a precipice of over-daring.
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