President Trump honored fallen heroes and Gold Star families while delivering remarks at the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
He was joined at the ceremony by various members of his administration, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Veteran Affairs Doug Collins, and FBI Director Kash Patel.
The President participated in a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside Vice President Vance and War Secretary Pete Hegseth before delivering remarks.
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The President later delivered an address following speeches by General Caine, Secretary Hegseth, and Vice President Vance.
“It’s always beautiful being here. My fifth time, and it never changes,” he opened his speech, immediately paying tribute to the American heroes and their loved ones.
“We honor those who fell so that our republic might stand, those who died so that our nation could live, those who gave up their sacred light on earth so that the sublime light of American freedom would shine forever and ever. This Memorial Day, we salute them, we exalt them, and we thank them for all that we have and for all that they gave. They gave everything. God bless our fallen heroes. We’re joined today by some of those they left behind, our incredible Gold Star families, incredible people.”
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Throughout the speech, the President told the story of American independence and our great country over its 250 years, recognizing the first fallen soldiers and their Gold Star families to the most recent 13 brave soldiers who died during US operations in Iran this year, as well as the valor shown by countless others. Several Gold Star families were in attendance and received praise during Trump’s speech, including Air Force Staff Sergeant Keith Ware, the grandson of World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ware; and Joyce, Allie, and Declan McClintock, the mother, widow, and son of Army Green Beret Sergeant First Class Matthew McClintock, a Silver Star recipient who was killed in action in Afghanistan on January 5, 2016 during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
At one point, the President mustered the crowd to their feet for one of the last surviving members of the legendary US Army’s 740th Tank Battalion, nicknamed the “Daredevils,” 97-year-old Harry Miller, who was in attendance. “Sergeant Miller, it is a true honor to have you with us,” Trump told him after telling of his heroism in World War II.
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MUST WATCH!
Standing ovation for WWII Veteran, Senior Master Sergeant Harry Miller!
pic.twitter.com/L914KJvCZW
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 25, 2026
He later recognized 89-year-old Captain Patrick Henry Brady, a mentee of Major Charles Kelly, a famed Army helicopter pilot and medical evacuation unit commander during the Vietnam War, known as “the father of DUSTOFF,” meaning Dedicated Unhesitating Service to Our Fighting Forces.
Trump also commented on the 13 troops we lost this year in Afghanistan, paying tribute to the soldiers and recognizing the family of 31-year-old Air Force Major Ariana Savino.
“These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world’s number one state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon. Oh, and they won’t. They will never have a nuclear weapon. I’m sure you, I’m sure you know that,” he said, describing them as “wonderful special people.”
“Thank you very much to all of you. Ariana’s selfless gift will not be in vain. Our debt to you is everlasting, and it’s always going to end in victory. We’re having victories all over the place, more than we’ve had in many, many decades,” he told the family after asking them to stand.
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Trump: In two wars recently, we’ve lost a total of 13 service members. In Venezuela, which was a complete and total victory, where we’re working very closely with the Venezuela government right now, we took that over in one day. We lost no one. In Operation Epic Fury, we lost 13 wonderful souls, wonderful special people. These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world’s number one state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon. Oh, and they won’t. They will never have a nuclear weapon. I’m sure you, I’m sure you know that. One of them was Major Ariana Savino Linse, and we’re joined by her great family, Omira, Darren, Zevin, and Wick. Stand up, please. There he is. There he is. Thank you very much. Thank you, Wick.
Thank you very much to all of you. Ariana’s selfless gift will not be in vain. Our debt to you is everlasting, and it’s always going to end in victory. We’re having victories all over the place, more than we’ve had in many, many decades.
Watch the President’s full remarks below:
The post WATCH: Trump Honors Gold Star Families During Memorial Day Speech at Arlington National Cemetery – Recognizes “13 Wonderful Souls” Lost in Iran appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
