Remarks As Prepared for Delivery
for the Honorable Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior
225th Anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
October 19, 2006
Thank you, Dan (Smith, Superintendent of YorktownBattlefieldNational Park).
I am especially pleased Defense Minister Alliot-Marie and Ambassador Levitte could join us today for the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown.
- Senator John Warner
- Senator George Allen
- Representative Jo Ann Davis
To the men and women, to the generals, to the admirals of the armed forces of both the United States of America and of France and all of our allies, to the captains and the crews and their families of U.S.S. Boise and to the outstanding individuals who sang the French national anthem more impressively than I’ve ever seen, tres bien.
The Battle of Yorktown was not only the defining moment of America’s struggle for independence. It was a defining moment of the great American journey that began a few miles away at Jamestown, Virginia and continues today.
At the heart of this journey is a hope cherished and honored by both the people of France and the people of the United States -- the yearning of all people for “Liberty.” The artistic figure of Liberty crowns the Victory Monument. Liberty is also inscribed on the Yorktown French Memorial that commemorates the French soldiers who died here. France’s great gift to America – the Statue of Liberty – stands in New York harbor to declare to all who visit our land the fulfillment of the victory we celebrate today.
For more than two centuries, the peoples of France and the United States of America have strived together to establish liberty, to protect liberty, and to perfect liberty.
Many times in the past two centuries, French and American soldiers and sailors have sacrificed their lives as they fought together to defend liberty.
A young Frenchman named Julien Lemay fell at Yorktown as he fought for the liberation of the American people. Well over a century later, a young American named Victor Lemay fought for the liberation of the French people. Julian’s name is carved on the French Memorial here on the battlefield. Victor’s name is carved above a grave in Belleau, France.
Private Lemay was one of the “Doughboys” of World War I who, when they landed in France, remembered the Battle of Yorktown and shouted, “Lafayette, we are here!”
During the American Revolution, a young man named Jean Charles left his home in France and came to Virginia to fight for liberty. During the Second World War, a young American named Leonard Charles left his home in Virginia to fight for liberty in France. Jean’s name is carved on the French Memorial. Leonard’s name is carved on a grave in Epinal, France, where he died in battle after the D-Day invasion.
Likewise, the French Memorial honors Antoine Martin, a young soldier who died on this battlefield. Across the Atlantic, a grave in St. Arvold, France bears the name of Anthony Martin, an American Air Force sergeant killed as he fought to liberate France during World War Two.
Today’s celebration is a celebration of these brave men and all their brothers and sisters in arms who likewise have paid the price for our freedom. Because of them, we are here today as free men and women, enjoying the fruits of liberty.
The battle of Yorktown also was a triumph of the human spirit. For six long years, the ragged and beleaguered Continental Army had struggled against the most powerful military on earth, the British Empire.
Just months before the battle, the cause of American independence seemed likely to fail. The Continental Army suffered through a series of brutal winters. The men had little food. They lacked footwear and winter clothing. They had no pay. Some troops mutinied. Meanwhile a well-equipped British army was sweeping through the southern colonies. The powerful British Navy ruled the seas.
The old adage says the night is darkest before the dawn. But these men did not know that dawn was coming. Yet they fought on with empty stomachs and bare feet. Their spirit and their patriotism could not be crushed.
One of these men, a private in the Continental Army named Joseph Martin, recalled a rainy night on this battlefield when he was ordered to the front lines to dig trenches for the siege. He was frightened because he was within range of British guns without any cover. Suddenly, a stranger appeared in the night and inquired about their work, exposing himself to possible enemy gunfire. Only later did Private Martin find out that the stranger was General Washington.
America was fortunate to have a man with the courage and leadership ability of George Washington to command the Continental Army. But we were also fortunate to have men like Joseph Martin, who joined the army in 1776 as a 16-year-old, and fought for years before witnessing the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and that mighty army.
Why did they do it? Why did they stay and fight when they could have gone home?
Looking back later in life, Martin wrote: “The war was waged; we had joined issue and it would not do to put the hand to the plow and look back. I felt more anxious than ever to be called a defender of my country“
The price of liberty is great. Let us resolve not to take our liberty for granted. Let us strive to perfect that liberty in the lives of all people and all nations. This is the best memorial we could give to those who we honor today.
President Kennedy once observed that “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”
Today we remember those brave men. And I will say that I believe those brave men, their spirits, would stand and salute the men and women of today those who follow in their steps -- the legacy of the armed forces of all nations who love liberty and freedom.
Let us not forget that we are a nation at war today. Men and women fighting for the cause of liberty are paying the ultimate sacrifice today in this War on Terror. As our current President, President Bush, has said: “Our citizens live in freedom because patriots are willing to serve and sacrifice for our liberty.” It is important that we must win.
The victory – 225 years ago -- that we describe and commemorate here today is depicted in a painting in the rotunda of the United States Capitol.
Significantly, in another painting, that is in the same rotunda, General George Washington, after this victory, voluntarily gave back his commission, gave back his commander-in-chief status to the Continental Congress to return to be a citizen.
He was the first victorious general in 1,000 years to refuse to claim the spoils of victory for himself -- to the disappointment of some of his officers. Washington wanted liberty for his country not glory for himself.
Even King George the Third later said that Washington’s resignation as commander-in-chief and his retirement from the presidency at the end of his second term – and I quote “…placed him in a light the most distinguished of any man living.” He was, the King concluded, “the greatest character of the age.” Ladies and gentlemen that is the strength of America. The power of America is in its citizens, as depicted by that great man, whose greatest desire was to be a citizen of this country.
Had Washington conquered for personal gain, it would have been a hallow victory for liberty.
General Washington’s great ally and friend Marquis De Lafayette said
“L’Humanite a gagne son combat, la Liberte a maintenant une patrie.”
But he actually said it in English:
“Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.”
Two great republics ladies and gentlemen. God Bless America. Vive le France. Vive le republic.
U.S. Department of the Interior