That is indeed service beyond the call of duty. The three ships in this Nimitz Battle Group has literally made United States naval history: 270 days of deployment and, as you may have noticed, 144 days-at sea without any visit to any port. President, we are ready to serve again whenever the time comes to bring those hostages home." President, we regret that our mission was not completely successful." Second, they said, "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us this opportunity to serve and to offer our lives for the lives of the American hostages." And third, "Mr. Their uniform message to me was, first of all, "Mr. Since the rescue team returned to our country, I have met personally and shaken hands with almost all of them. All of you shared in that humanitarian commitment and that humanitarian mission.
This was a time of soul searching for me and for our country as we look back on that tremendous act of heroism. They laid down their lives in a courageous way to save the lives of 50 hostages who have been held in an inhumane and unconscionable way by the Iranians, supported by their government, now for more than 6 months. Two weeks ago in the National Cemetery in Arlington, I offered my tribute on behalf of a nation to eight brave men who gave their lives in a lonely desert in Iran in the highest possible service that one human being can offer to another. But your sense of service and dedication in this particular time in the history of our country is particularly appreciated and known, not only by the people of our country but of the entire world. The publicity is not there quite often, the recognition is not there.
lonesome for a service man or woman to serve in a sacrificial way in times of peace. I know what it means to be at sea for weeks and for months, both when our Nation was at war and also when our Nation was at peace. But all of us know that the sacrifice and the courage and the dedication and the service in times of peace to prevent war are equally gratifying to those whom you have served so well. History most often records the courage and dedication and sacrifice of those who have been in battle, when wars were won and lost and when heroism was apparent and well-publicized. This is also Memorial Day, a day when our Nation pays tribute to those who've lost their lives in the service of our country in the military forces and also those who've worn the uniform in times of peace and in times of war. It was my judgment that it would be better to have this welcoming ceremony to express the gratitude of our country at sea, while the Nimitz is still underway, so that we would not have any delay when you arrive at Pier 12 in letting you go down the gangplank and put your arms around the people who love you.Īs you know, this ceremony is being broadcast to the other two ships in the Nimitz task force and also to those assembled at Pier 12 in Norfolk.
Navy, to the Marines, and to our country. Our Nation is grateful to you for what you have meant to our country, to freedom, and to the peace that has been maintained for the entire world by your courage and your dedication and your service to the U.S. In just a few hours, when you arrive, there will be literally tens of thousands of people there to welcome you home, including, I understand, 200 new Americans who've been born since you left. There are hundreds of your family and friends already assembled there. It's good to have you back here at home away from the Gonzo, Station. Secretary Brown Admiral Train Captain Batzler, with this great ship, the Nimitz, and all the crew and officers Captain Owens and the officers and crew of the Texas Captain Smith and the officers and crew of the California:
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