Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial. Dedication of a plaque honoring the casualties of the Iranian hostage rescue attempt. Operation Eagle Claw Memorial.
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
A crowd gathers for the dedication of a plaque honoring the casualties of the Iranian hostage rescue attempt. A military band plays.
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Defense shakes hands with some of the people gathered at the dedication of a plaque honoring the casualties of the Iranian hostage rescue attempt.
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
CU American flag. Pull out to military color guard. A military band plays.
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Defense. Ladies and gentlemen and our guests, it was just three years ago today that a small group of Americans undertook a dangerous and a daring mission half way around the world. Three years is just long enough for the memories to fade and it does not seem quite short enough to seem history yet. But to all of us gathered here in this quiet place filled with America s heroes, the family and the friends of those who fell in the Iran rescue mission and the men and women they were seeking to rescue, the memories their sacrifices will never fade. Nor will they be forgotten by history. It s fitting that we choose this sacred grove as resting place for our heroes to honor the eight Americans who died serving their country just three years ago today: three Marines, Staff Sergeant Dewey Johnson, Sergeant John D Harvey, and Corporal George N Holmes Jr, five airmen, Major Richard Bakke, Major Harold Lewis Jr, Captain Lyn McIntosh, Captain Charles McMillan, and Technical Sergeant Joel Mayo. The families of these servicemen, I am sadly aware, that there is nothing that we can say here today that will ease your loss. But I hope you do know how very deeply we honor their sacrifice and yours.
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Defense. Let me also say that we are here today in large part because the Congress of the Unites States believed and acted on the belief that those who died on the Iran rescue mission should be honored in just this way. And on behalf of all Americans I want to thank two men who did so much to bring this day about: Senator John Warner of Virginia, who is with us today, and Representative William Boner of Tennessee. In dedicating this plaque the members of Congress and President Reagan and his administration and indeed all of the American people express their gratitude and their respect for the eight Americans and the others who served with them on the Iran rescue mission and for the hostages who so bravely endured abuse and terror at the hand of their captors. What matters today is no whether that rescue mission succeeded. What matters is that this country still boasts brave men and brave women who volunteer to serve their country in uniform and in the diplomatic service. Men and women who are prepared to sacrifice and all too often are called to offer it.
Operation Eagle Claw Memorial - Iran Rescue Casualties Memorial
Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Defense. Just two days ago the President formally honored those other brave men who lost their lives, this time to the cowardly terrorism that exploded in Beirut. Some say the cost is too great and that the sacrifice is too painful, therefore I policies must always be formed to avoid all risk. But this plaque that we are going to dedicated here, and all of those who are gathered here today, are testament to the fact that America still cherishes the sacrifices of its heroes. To those who would devalue their deeds we echo the words of King Lear Upon such sacrifices the Gods themselves throw incense . And should we ever lose our ability to offer sacrifice for great causes such as freedom, or to honor it, then we would lose our very reason for existing as a nation. Daniel Webster once said that liberty is granted by God only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it. God has granted and maintained our liberty because Americans such as those we are honoring today have stood guard, have stood firm and have stood up for liberty and independence. And I hope we all may have the courage and the strength of purpose to do the same.