We in America have learned bitter lessons from two world wars it is better to be here ready to protect the peace than to take blind she lter across the sea, rushing to respond only af ter freedom is lost. We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent. But we try always to be prepared for peace, prepared to deter aggression, prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms, and yes prepared to reach out again in the spir it of reconcil iation In truth, there is no reconciliation we would welcome more than a reconciliation with the Soviet Union, so, together, we can lessen the risks of war now and forever. It's fitting to remember here the great losses also suf fered by the russian people during World War II: 20 million perished, a terrible price that testif ies to all the world the necessity of ending war. i tell you from my heart that we in the United States do not want war. We want to wipe from the face of the earth the terrible weapons that man now has in his hands. and i tell you, we are ready to seize that beachhead. We look for some sign from the soviet Union that they are willing to move forward that they share our desire and love for peace, and that they will give up the ways of conquest. There must be a changing there that will allow us to turn our hope into action. We will pray forever that someday that chang ing will come. But for now particularly today, it is good and f itting to renew our commitment to each other, to our freedom and to the alliance that protects it Were bound today by what bound us 40 years ago, the same loyalties, traditions, and beliefs. Were bound by reality. The strength of America's allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe's democracies. We were with you then; we are with you now Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny. Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew ridgway listened: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee Strengthened by their courage and heartened by their valor and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died Thank you very much, and god bless you allWe in America have learned bitter lessons f rom two world wars. It is better to be here ready to protect the peace, than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only af ter f reedom is lost. We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent. But we try always to be prepared for peace, prepared to deter aggression, prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms, and yes, prepared to reach out again in the spirit of reconciliation. In truth, there is no reconciliation we would welcome more than a reconciliation with the Soviet Union, so, together, we can lessen the risks of war, now and forever. It's fitting to remember here the great losses also suf fered by the Russian people during World War II: 20 million perished, a terrible price that testifies to all the world the necessity of ending war. I tell you f rom my heart that we in the United States do not want war. We want to wipe f rom the face of the earth the terrible weapons that man now has in his hands. And I tell you, we are ready to seize that beachhead. We look for some sign f rom the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward, that they share our desire and love for peace, and that they will give up the ways of conquest. There must be a changing there that will allow us to turn our hope into action. We will pray forever that someday that changing will come. But for now, particularly today, it is good and fitting to renew our commitment to each other, to our f reedom, and to the alliance that protects it. We're bound today by what bound us 40 years ago, the same loyalties, traditions, and belief s. We're bound by reality. The strength of America's allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued f reedom of Europe's democracies. We were with you then; we are with you now. Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny. Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened: "I will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Strengthened by their courage and heartened by their valor and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died. Thank you very much, and God bless you all