What we learned at home. And that of their children. Love of god, fairness in human relations, independence and responsibility. As to the welfare of others in each free individual could through his own efforts achieve a full life. It is the firm duty of each of our citizens to fight because. We must be ready for our country for History Press the freedom we must be willing individually and as a nation to accept whatever sacrifices may be required of us people that balances it services. To storm these beaches not to gain anything for these cells but just to preserve freedom, systems of selfgovernment in the work. Many thousands died for such ideals as these. But these people gave us a chance and they bought time for stomach do better than we have before. We must find some way to gain an eternal peace of this world. You and i, fellow citizens in need to be strong in our faith in all nations under god for peace and justice. We pray that peoples of all races, all nations may have their great human need sacrific sacrifice. Those of them may disappear from the earth. And that in the goodness of time all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the driving force of Mutual Respect and love. [background noises] good evening and welcome to the dedication save entrance ceremony for the Dwight D Eisenhower memorial. Everyones health and safety, please exercise safe social distancing and ensure your masks remain on when you are not eating or drinking. To begin our program, we are honored to be joined by the soldiers of the 101st airborne division. And as they were with general eisenhower, the night before d day. To present tonights colors, they will be accompanied by the president s own u. S. Marine band. The National Anthem will be performed by the celebrated groups, voices of service who will then be followed by kansas own rachel mast who will honor our flag with her rendition of the pledge of allegiance. Please rise for the presentation of colors and please remain standing for the National Anthem and the pledge of allegiance. Jose can you see by the dawns early light what we so proudly we held at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that start spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave [applause] [background noises] [background noises] [cheering] i pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of america. One nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for al all. Thank you to the 107th fighter wing from the new Jersey National guard for providing flyover coverage for this evening ceremony. To give two nights invocation we are pleased to have with this u. S. Senate chaplin barry c black. Chaplin black served in the u. S. Navy for over 27 years. And completed his distinguished military career as the chief of navy chaplains. In june, 2003, mary black was elected to serve as the 62nd chaplin of the United States senate. And has been in that role ever since. To open tonight ceremony in prayer, here is chaplin black. You may be seated. Let us pray. Ointerjection lord, the mites of light, how majestic is your name in all the earth. We marvel that you care about humanity and have crowned us with glory and honor. Today, except our gratitude for the life and legacy of president dwight David Eisenhower. He more than self his country loved, and mercy more than life. We praise you that his love for freedom summoned our nation to embrace thank you mighty god for his ability to plant seeds of confidence, to build bridges that helped bring unity to a divided nation and world. May this memorial dedication remind us of americas opportunity to continue to strive to create a more Perfect Union where justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Lord, give us the grace to love what you command. And to desire what you have promised. Grant that guided by your light lights, we may reach the light that never fades. That illumines by your truth, we may reach the truth that is complete. Bless this evening, our food, fellowship, reflections, and inspiration. We pray in your sovereign name amen. Cnet to recognize those who made this memorial possible, and to acknowledge tonights attendees, please welcome the vice chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the representative of californias fifth congressional district, mike thompson. Good evening. I am congressman mike thomas representing the Fifth District and vice chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. Thank you for joining us today, to celebrate one of our countrys greatest leaders. Whether you are here in person or watching online, you are taking part in a unique tradition. This will be only the seventh president ial memorial to be revealed in washington d. C. Congress passed a bill creating the eisenhower memorial while president bill clinton was in office. Today, two decades later, we are gathered to dedicate this memorial and recognize a lifetime of public service. This ceremony, this memorial would not be possible if it were not for the 12 member commissio commission. Let me recognize my colleagues on the commission who gave their time and energy to establish the Dwight D Eisenhower memorial. For those of you who are in attendance, please stand when you hear your name. The chairman, senator pat roberts of kansas. [cheering] senator joe manchin of west virginia. [applause] senator gary peters of michigan. [applause] senator dan sullivan of alaska. [applause] congressman Sanford Bishop of georges second district. [applause] congressman mike simpson of idahos second district. [applause] congressman Matt Thornberry of texas 13th district. [applause] former kansas senator bob dole. [applause] Commission Member alfred. [applause] Commission Member susan barnes harris. And Commission Member catherine and stephens. Thank you all for your leadership and your devotion to this magnificent project. I would like to acknowledge a few other people who are with us this evening. Secretary evan. Interior, david bernhardt. Secretary of transportation, elaine chao. An secretary of education betsy devos. Your respective departments all hold important pieces of president eisenhowers legacy. Thank you for joining us to celebrate this occasion. And thank you to secretary devos in the Education Department housed in the building directly behind me for being such gracious neighbors throughout the construction process. Thank you Speaker Nancy Pelosi for taking part in tonights dedication and for your personal attention, helping to make this memorial a reality. We are grateful that you are here and all that you have done over the years for this important project i would also like to thank the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general mark milley for being with us today. Thank you general. Also, i want to recognize Brigadier General who is here representing the marine corps. And colonel michael who is here representing the 101st airborne division. Thank you boats for being here. We are also grateful, to have the ambassador of the republic of china, and deputy chief of mission from italy with us tonight. Thank you for representing your beautiful nations and the support you have shown for this memorial. I would also like to recognize thomas, the artists and the architect who had the incredible tapestry that you see behind me. [cheering] this oneofakind peace displays the iconic normandies coastline in peacetime, which general eisenhowers troops invaded on dday. Standing at 80 feet high and 450 feet long, there is not another tapestry like this anywhere in the world. Thomas on top of the commission, thank you for your incredible work. [applause] i also want to recognize the Senior Leadership from Clarke Construction who are here with us. Randy, david, and jared. Thank you for your dedication to completing this fantastic memorial. [cheering] i also want to recognize alex and kayden eisenhower. President eisenhower great grandson and great, great grandchildren who are here representing the eisenhower family. We also have moral atwater, the son of Mary Jean Eisenhower and a great grandson of the president as well. We are honored to have you on this special day. Serving on this commission to memorialize a truly Great American hero, has been a tremendous honor. Thank you very much. [applause] to make a special recognition, please welcome the host of tvs for court press and the voice of americas plugged in, greta. [applause] s two good evening. Just a start if you think this weather is rough, just think about what it was like in the English Channel back in 1944. This weather is nothing like the members of our military did for us. Its a great night tonight. We honor general eisenhower im sure senator bob dole would want me to it mention the sum of the generals accomplishments. Because without his service the nation, the world to be a very different place. Didnt stop of the military for which you are going to hear much about tonight many from world war ii went out to serve this nation shun and as president generalized eisenhower did incredible things. Just a few brief examples. In 1956, president eisenhower championed the formation of the interstate byway system. Look where that took us all. All across the great nation. In 1958, president eisenhower established mass of the civilian space Agency Responsible for the Space Program and look where it took us, to the moon. And in 1954 in the u. S. Supreme court struck down racial segregation in schools and one Arkansas School district defied the law it was president eisenhower who sent his federal troops to uphold the Supreme Court decision fighting segregation. He let us in war as president. And he let us through years of no war in fairness and prosperity. Which ring brings me to it another world war ii vets, robert dole. And when it comes to history, the story does not affect world war ii, that is before i was born. It goes back to april 2004, the night before the opening of the world war ii memorial just down the street. I was doing a live show that night next to the memorial celebrating the fact that the following day, that memorial would be dedicated. I had the perfect in mind. Senator robert dole. He was a member of congress, Senate Majority leader from kansas, but as a quiet hero himself, he listened to early years of world war ii and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant before shipping off to italy. In italy of april 1945, he mysteriously wounded by german machine gun fire as he attempted to rescue a radio man an assault on an enemy position. It is been reported that these soldiers and have seen the extent of his injuries that all they could do was to give him the largest dose of morphine they dared and right m on his forehead so no one else that found him give them a fatal dose. His chances of living were slim. He did not give up and he never has. He beat overwhelming odds will spending many years in a military hospital. For his military service to his nation, to all of us, dulles decorated three times two purple hearts for his injuries and the bronze star of valor to assist a down radioman. In 2019 i was horrified, embarrassed because as i was sitting there next to him, talking to him about the memorial of world war ii, i said to him, how did this come about . We were killing time. He said world war ii veterans lobbied congress for the land. And world war ii veterans raised the money. I was horrified. My generation which reaps all of the benefits of all of the sacrifices of general eisenhower and all of the world war ii veterans including senator dole, had not raised money for that monument. Our thanks to him and everyone else who fought there. We know that general eisenhower and all of the others, this would be a very different world. How noble they were. Fighting for ideals and upon winning the war, not taking one square foot of land. And in the end rebuilding the nations that were host to the war. My conversation with senator dole did not stop with world war ii memorial. Because i wanted to change the topic. And so he told me the project was underway to build this memorial, something that he and senator roberts wanted to do, i thought i need to be part of this in some way. And of course, that is what brings us all here tonight. To this dedication of this memorial to general eisenhower. And i just want to think about general eisenhower is a great honor. It is also a great honor to be here tonight to thank all of the world war ii vets. All the current people serving in uniform. Senator pat roberts and they all helped us get here. General eisenhowers a great inspiration for it a great reminder to all of america and to all the great things our nation does. And all of the great leaders who led us here. Special thanks to senator roberts, senator dole, and for everyone else who has participated in this project. So we can continue to remind ourselves of what we can do. Here is senator dole. Im sorry i cannot be with you this evening. As you honor a Great American. Dwight David Eisenhower. He was a wonderful man. He was honest, he was sincere, he had an integrity. And he spent much of his time and world war ii trying to reconcile the interest of the british and the french, and the americans. But he did it with expertise. He kept everybody on board. And because of his brilliant approach, we won world war ii. And then eisenhower moved on and became a Great American president. Eight years of peace and prosperity. And they made many, many tough decisions. So i am very proud to be from kansas, not from abilene, but not far away. And i am really proud to call general eisenhower, president eisenhower, major eisenhower, whatever, my hero. [applause] ladies and gentlemen please welcome bret bayer, chief Political Correspondent for fox news. Good evening i am bret bayer, wasnt that wonderful to hear from senator dole tonight . Its a true honor to be here. Obviously senator dole a true american, hero, public servant. My day job as a cover the news across the u. S. And around the world. But i am also a huge fan of general eisenhower, our 34th president. In fact so much so i read jim wrote a book about him. Dwight eisenhowers final mission. And the thing i loved about like, was what has made him so beloved to this day. Two generations like mine and younger were not around during his era pretties perfectly reflecting the american ideal. He was an ordinary man who answered the call to have extraordinary duties and deeds. It with the war was over, he was humble about it. He realized his fame was earned as he put in the blood of his followers in the sacrifices of his friends. Called to serve once more as president , he was fully aware of his shortcomings. He was a soldier not a political animal, not a politician. But he was always trusted. And he trusted the American People to be smarter, and even than their leaders. And his own personal code was to associate with and learn from people who knew more than he di did. Throughout his life, eisenhower maintained the manner of the scrappy kid from kansas. And you see that here in this memorial. He knew that what made America Great was not superiority with the Weapon System or the dominance of our economy, as he liked to say, what counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight. But the size of the fight in the dog. This is a really special event. We are sorry it is raining. But it does not take away from this moment. I know i can speak on behalf of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and say this ceremony would not be the same if it were not for all of you here tonight and all that you have done. Whether you are here in person, watching on cspan, or streaming online, thank you for coming, thank you for watching and recognizing americas Supreme Commander during world war ii and our 34th president. One wick reminder obviously for everyone to keep social distancing, health and safety. We do ask attendees tonight to practice that and to keep your masks on during the event when you are not eating or drinking. Our next speaker is a worldrenowned architect whose works include the Guggenheim Museum in spain, the walt disney concert hall in los angeles, the art gallery of ontario in toronto and many other prestigious buildings around the world. In 1957 he completed his first professional design, his own house in california at which he worked on actually as an apprentice. And his most recent is this. The Dwight D Eisenhower memorial. His first design for a public project. Unfortunately he is unable to join us tonight in person but he did provide a recorded briefing. So please welcome frank garrett. I am so greatly honored to be part of this effort to memorialize Dwight D Eisenhower in washington d. C. To prepare for this formidable task, i studied everything. I Read Everything that i could find on his accomplishments. And they were vast. What a legacy. At first glance the site didnt seem great. Surrounded by traffic and office buildings. But that was it. And with the help of many, starting with words of encouragement, and relentless support of members of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, led by senator pat roberts, we got it done. There are sensitivities for sure by many including the eisenhower family. We listen to all and the result is better. Please welcome the president s own United States marine band. In their rendition of song of the marching man. An arrangement performed by the band at boats the 1953 and the 1957 inaugurations for president eisenhower. [applause] the president s own marine band sounds good in any weather. Tonights event literally would not be possible without our next speaker. U. S. Senator, pat roberts, is a native kansan. And has been with the Eisenhower Memorial Commission since its inception in 2001. At the senior u. S. Senator of ikes home state, it is only fitting that senator roberts joined the effort to build a memorial to honor one of kansas favorite sons when he took on the role of chairman and 2015. Throughout his life, the senator has devoted to the citizens of kansas. And on the National Level has been a congressional leader in the sectors of agriculture, healthcare, and defense. But most importantly, senator roberts is a man of character and that is best shown through his ability to have balanced his lifelong career as Public Servants along with the steady devotion to his family. Together, he and his wife of over 50 years, franky who is joining senator hirono tonight, have three children and seven grandchildren. We are grateful for his service to our country. For his leadership with the eisenhower commission, and for being here to speak with us tonight live, rain or no rain. It. [laughter] i present to you, senator pat roberts. [applause] thank you bret. As an eisenhower author yoursel yourself, i know we share our enthusiasm for his legacy. We appreciate you so much. As greta pointed out, this is dday. And eisenhowers 101st, okay lets go, siletz here we go. Greetings to all of our guests here tonight. And to those of you watching, now we wish we could all be together in person to celebrate the completion of this magnificent memorial. However the legacy of Dwight D Eisenhower cannot be constrained by the size of the crowd. Because it is reflected in the freedoms that we live every day in america. The memorial designer, frank gary and his partners were unfortunately able to join us tonight. But if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that you dont have to be in the same place together. So frank, i know you and your team are watching, the brilliance of this memorial, will reverberate around the world and lift the legacy of Dwight D Eisenhower to unending global audiences. Tonight as we dedicate this memorial we stand on the shoulders of some giants who made it possible. Senators ted stevens. Cochran, and my favorite, senator Lisa Murkowski who kept this whole effort live through her great support. [applause] at any rate, we could not have done this without you lisa and i really appreciate it. I also would to thank my fellow commissioners and that is already been done by sir michael, who allowed us to conduct our business in a supportive bipartisan way truly in the image of the man we honor tonight. And i want to think one commissioner in particular. And he has already been thanked and deservedly so. And that is bob dole. A man who fought bravely on the battlefields of italy under ikes command. Although greatly wounded, he fought boats he fought his way back to boats health and strength. And a wonderful career as United States senate. He implied that same tenacity of spirits of fundraising on behalf of this memorial. Because of his tireless efforts the remaining heroes of the greatest generation can now come here and finally, finally salute their commanding officer. Needless to say, we would not be here today without the guiding influence of the eisenhower family. I would ike to recognize now David Eisenhower and his wife Julie Nixon Eisenhower who are with us tonight. David please stand. I cant see you but hopefully others will. [applause] and thank you for coming. David is a renowned author in his own right. David and susan mary jane. Because of your valued input, we have a fitting memorial to your beloved grandfather. Now, we persevere and then we persevered, and then we persevered. And then we got it right. Wow. Thank you to the eisenhower family. I want to thank our donors, some of whom are here tonight. Because of you this memorial is complete. The donations come in all sizes and we are grateful for every one of them. I would have liked to extend a special recognition for one donor in particular. A teacher at Navarre Elementary School in east toledo, ohio. Back in 2012 in honor of veterans day the Elementary School classes pitched in their quarters and their nickels and dimes and pennies, sent them to washington so they could support this memorial to ike. Robin will you please stand for teaching Young Americans the importance of giving back to their community and their country as well as their heritage. Thank you. Well as a senator i was say are only as good as your staff and that certainly applies to this project, the entire commission staff, spearheaded by general taurean to go well,. [cheering] lattice applause of the night. Deserve our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for their unwavering focus on building this memorial. Karl, queen victoria, dan, trace, joyce, chris, we thank you. [cheering] [applause] and for my own staff who im going to take a little license here there are two women in particular i would ike to thank. One of whom has been with me, worked with me during the long years of preserving the opportunity to have this memorial. It is not easy going to the house appropriators and going in on one knee being a senator, but that is what we had to do. And the other share equally in the success of bringing this to for mission. Amber and jackie, thank you for your creative thinking, your loyalty in your diligence. Ladies and gentlemen, i have just been told right now that we have a message coming from cyberspace. Right now i direct your attention to the monitors pleas please. Good evening senator roberson honored guests. Im going to have to uncheck Chris Cassidy command of the space station orbiting 26 miles above earth. Along with our nasa administrators im honored to join you in celebrating the memorial dedication of our nations 34th president. Dwight d eisenhower. Under president eisenhowers leadership, america created nasa which brought our country to the forefront of space exploration. President eisenhower understood what nasa could do for america as he provided the division for the Amazing Things we do in human Robotic Exploration today which benefit all mankind back on her earth. President eisenhower was broadcast to the states in 1958 is the beginning of our daytoday life as we approach the 20th anniversary of a permanent presence right here on the International Space station. Senator roberts, i congratulate the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the dedication as a lasting tribute to a Great American hero, a patriot the president. All the best you, for us on the International Space station, take care. [applause] thank you chris and the team at nasa for making this possibl possible. Yet another eisenhower achievement. Now before the pandemic, dedication was to be on may 8. The 75th anniversary. Certainly an anniversary with worldwide significance. I want you to know that today, september 17, is an anniversary of Truly American origins. On this day in 1787, after debate and compromise, our constitution was finally signed in philadelphia. Later it also became a citizenship day. Might want to try that again. What would ikes message about citizenship be to us now . Duty before country was eisenhowers creed. In his reflections on the first day of west point he said when we raise our right hands and repeat these official oath, the feeling came over me with the expression the United States of america would now mean Something Different than it ever had before. From here on, it would be the nation i would be serving, not myself. Eisenhower saw the promise that america holds for everyone. Reciprocal responsibility to serve the country offer so much. As he said in his first inaugural address, it is the firm duty of each of our free citizens to place the cause of this country before the comfort and convenience of himself. Putting his country before himself, that many things. And eisenhowers life. It meant moving from place to place, often to other countries. It meant leaving his family behind. It meant marrying the responsibility to send hundreds of thousands of sailors, soldiers, and airmen into peril. It meant sacrifices we see reflected in the soldiers of the 101st airborne as they listen to their commander on dday, okay lets go. In this memorial, we see the coming of age of eisenhower and america, embodied in the dreams of a young man. Just as eisenhower left abilene, to goat to west point and later selected to be the supreme allied commander during world war ii, and then president of the United States. America too, was transitioning from Humble Beginnings to global leadership. And ike led the way. The legacy of that versions of america can be seen in the tapestry in peacetime, normandy of peace, a symbol of the sacrifice that was made there to liberate europe and secure freedom from not the tyranny. Saving western democracy. Morels act with stork of touch tones. They are the intersections of memories and history. They are meant to inspire contemplation and reflection about events and people, Ike Eisenhower who shaped our history profoundly. I hope this memorial, not only makes us more aware of eisenhowers accomplishments, and where we would be as a nation or World Without him, without his vision and leadership, but even more importantly, i hope it causes us to reflect on where we are toda today, and what we are as individuals and as a society. And what we can do to change the course of the nation and the world. It is incumbent upon us to learn from the past and apply those principles to the circumstances today. To build on the foundation eisenhower desperately fought to protect and secure. This memorial teaches us that through all of the darkness, there is light. In this memorial comes exactly the right time to provide some light in our troubling times. As we look to the entrance of the memorial, i am pointing at it. We see the hopes of all young men. And we see that teenage boy from the small town of kansas, abilene, looking back at us. And we see the hopes of all young men and women as they imagine their future and remind we have within us our own dreams and liberty and freedom to make it possible for us to find our way, to pursue those hopes and dreams and to seize the opportunities before us. Eisenhower understood that in a country where destiny is determined not by ones position at birth, but rather strength of character and determination of spirits. That dreams do come true. Eisenhower understood ones personal ability to chart hers for his own course change the course of the world. That american story the story of a young boy from abilene, again celebrated at the entrance of this memorial, for me, as a smalltown kansas boy, i never dreamed, never dreamed i would one day dedicate a memorial to kansas famous son, dwight David Eisenhower. It is with the wonder in my heart that i stand here but the statues of eisenhower, general and president with their pointy hats and also with the towering cliffs behind us. I am marvel at the lessons he left us. Life in a small town is not eas easy. At the rewards come from a community of people who know your name, who know your parents name, and your teachers name. If you fall down a few runs on a ladder of success, someone is there to help you climb back. We share each others victories and stood beside each other enter defeat. No wonder, no wonder that Dwight D Eisenhower declared the proudest thing i can claim as i am from abilene. In closing, i take you back to the moment just before eisenhower began his first inaugural address. He asked the crowd for the privilege of offering a prayer of his own. I share some of that with you now. Almighty god, give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong and allow all of our words and actions to be governed thereby. And by the laws of this land, especially we pray that our concern shall be for all people, regardless of station, race or calling may cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those in the concepts of our constitution, hold to different political face so that we may all work for the good of our beloved country and they glory. Amen. May the United States of america mean something more to each of us because of eisenhowers legacy and our reflections at this memorial. Thank you. [applause] please welcome former secretary of state and National Security advisor, condoleezza rice. Hello. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to participate, even if virtually, in the longoverdue establishment of a memorial to our 34th president , Dwight D Eisenhower. To my good friend, senator pat roberts, thank you for your leadership in bringing us to this day. And to my friend susan and the entire eisenhower family, thank you for allowing me to it participate. Dwight d eisenhower was president of the United States when i was born. I dont course personally remember many of the events of his presidency. But i have always had a real sense of connection to him. And not just by the accident of the timing of my birth and his tenure. As a young girl, growing up in birmingham, alabama, he was a hero to those who ike my parents and their friends, sought and desired so much just to be treated as firstclass citizens in america. They sought justice. And they saw and president eisenhower a leader who sought for justice two. My father passed his first vote as a republican for Dwight D Eisenhower. And he did so with pride. It i cant remember that he thought president eisenhower would make a difference. And make a difference he did. Perhaps none of us will ever forget that it was president eisenhower protected young black children as they tried finally to deliver on the Supreme Court decision of brown versus the board of education and to integrate segregated schools in little rock, arkansas. That was an act to befitting a leader. Dwight the eisenhower was a leader. And that of course, the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which would create a u. S. Commission on civil rights and Civil Rights Division of the justice department. And ultimately it would lay the groundwork for the landmark civil rights legislation of 1964 in 1965. As a student and practitioner of international politics, i also felt the connection to president eisenhower he stood as a giants. The last general to serve as our president. I always believed that he ended the korean war because it was the right thing to do. And also as a soldier, he knew the cost of war better than most civilians could ever. And yet he knew it was not just a matter of ending wars, it was a matter of establishing a just peace throughout the world. And therefore, his administration National Security strategy, which would really throughout the cold war until its end, guide our policy as facing down the threat of communism in europe and in asia. When i had the opportunity as a young staff member the National Security council in 1989 to 1991, to be a part of the team that finally got to deliver on that promise, the liberation of eastern europe. The unification of germany. And finally the peaceful of the soviet union. I always tried to take a minute to try to remember truman and eisenhower and all of those who made it possible. And then of course, in the middle east. President eisenhower would become associated with the eisenhower doctrine, which fought to allow america to become a beacon and a shield for those facing aggression in the middle east. I was also attracted to this president because he was a public servant. In fact a quintessential public servant. Ike the general more than a century and a half before him, george washington, present eisenhower did not seek political life, its not him. It was a time when our country was emerging onto the world stage as a dominant force for peace and prosperity and freedom. But a time too, when new gingers were arriving in europe, asia and the middle east. He led us in the alliances that we built. Particularly nato were he was the first supreme allied commander to accept those responsibilities with strength and will. It also with our values at the center of what we did. At this point i would be remiss if i did not mention one other connection to president eisenhower. He loved that infuriating, frustrating game called golf. And so do i. As i look out at our country today, the civil strength, economic challenges, the question about who we are and who we want to be, we would do well to remember the legacy of eisenhower. Not just for what he did, but for who he was. Called to service, he served with humility, integrity, and love of country. He knew that democracy is not a spectator sport. In the politics was on his chosen profession, he answered the call and made america better as a result. That is what we commemorate today. This soldier statesman who would lead the alliance to wartime victory and help to save civilization. And then return home to lead his country and the free world to the challenges and opportunities that that victory afforded. And he would seek to right the wrongs that confronted and oppressed black citizens to. I always believed that he was motivated in part by having watched the Service Called black soldiers who were willing to pay the last full measure in love of america, even when america did not love them. And so he honored them and those ike them. He knew that america would not be fully free until all of its people were fully free. Thank you for allowing me to it reflect on the legacy of Dwight D Eisenhower. Many will come to visit this splendid place. They will be inspired and hopefully they will be led to play a parts, a personal part in sustaining our country and making it better. President eisenhower once said, we must be willing, individually and as a nation to accept whatever sacrifices may be required of us. People that values its privileges above its principles will soon have boats. Those are words to live by today as we face the many difficult, difficult challenges here in america. [applause] former secretary of state, National Security adviser condoleezza rice. Here tonight as mentioned by senator roberts as president eisenhowers grandson, David Eisenhower, he is an author, professor and someone after my own heart, television host, please welcome David Eisenhower. [applause] thank you very much and congratulations on the book that they wrote, its a very good book. A distinguished guest speakers, congressman thompson has identified members of my family who are here tonight, my son alex who married is my sisters son marilyn and we have grown children here and julie and i are advised that my daughters are looking in tonight and their children, my sisters and their children in three generation of eisenhowers in total so on behalf of the generations of the eisenhower family i wish to say that this is a wonderful and longawaited evening. The program holds on me to tell family stories and since it is raining and the number of speakers draw attention to that i will tell you are very family story. It is june 1954, doctor Milton Eisenhower is president of penn state and Dwight Eisenhower, his brother is president of the United States and scheduled to deliver a commencement at penn state. As you know, penn state is very Large University and this is an outdoor event and with thousands of gathering this is threatened by rain. You can picture the scene of worry in the president s house as milton is on the phone and pacing the living room but as the story goes, at one point, Dwight Eisenhower remarks milton, since june 6, 9044 i have never worried about the rain. Such was the life that Dwight Eisenhower led and he experienced acute worries and a life of boldness, decision, bravery and achievement in the service of this country. Indeed, my earliest memories of the world is being buckled into a seat aboard the columbine general eisenhowers nato command plano 9051 and i distinctly remember granddad boarding the plane in his army uniform and armor the electricity in the energy surrounding him. In the years to follow not once did i doubt his greatness knowing his extraordinary mind and spirit, his generosity, fairness and courage. I also will speak tonight as a former commissioner and member of the original commission and that gathered 20 years ago. In a 20 year effort to complete the eisenhower memorial we have seen that National Memorials do not just come from ballots but we have learned in the process that there will always be differing opinions and controversy and we have seen that success depends on dedicated individuals possessed with energy, singlemindedness and vision. Such a person was our original Commission Chairman the late [inaudible] and tonight we also remember senators ted stevens and two early commissioners who would not settle for anything less then a Great National memorial. Senator steven or catherine is with us tonight and she is a commissioner and i say congratulations to her. I offer congratulations also to susan harris and [inaudible], boardmember throughout this process in our deepest appreciation of a congressman and senator who also served and we salute general carl without whom there would be no memorial. And it is fitting that senator and chairman pat roberts gave a keynote tonight and is uniquely qualified to honor the fellow Dwight Eisenhower and guided this memorial across the finish line in a very special thank you to a true hero world war ii senator bob dole who so proudly hailed from Dwight Eisenhower beloved canvas, thank you, senator for the boost he provided as a commissioner and i would like to take or say congratulations to my sisters and mary and susan and i think a nn would not resent it if i lend emphasis to susan and they are indispensable help, help resolve to design questions over the past several years and they played a major role in organizing support and sponsorship and support of this memorial. Congratulations to architect frank who throughout this process held fast to the fundamentals of this Design Concept which i was first privileged to see in 2007. For instance, i believe a key message conveyed by the memorial is embodied in the statute of young Dwight Eisenhower, a feature of the earliest of science and my feeling about that statue were confirmed at the groundbreaking ceremony in the fall 2017 when i found myself in conversation with a former student of mine now a very prominent pollster. He said to me he felt emotional about the memorial project because of that statue and pointed out that the eisenhower memorial would be a rare place in washington dc where young people visiting the capital would gain for the statue and say that is me and that is my classmate and that someone like me. Such people would then look beyond that statue to the panorama telling of Dwight Eisenhower and americas economists in war and peace and they would think the americans can do things like that. As we all know the question of memorialization has become an issue over the last several years and a truth, i believe, has emerged in the discussion that memorials indeed preserve history and they also do and must reflect our values. In the end, therefore, the test of a memorial is timelessness and timelessness is something i believe has been achieved by this memorial. I think all of us tonight can hope and pray that the time will never come when americans do not cherish the values depicted he here, hard work, bravery, optimism, steadfastness and a vision and a time when americans do not cherish the story presented here at america at her best and most proud. Thank you very much. [applause] after their successful performance in season 14 of americas got talent voices of service have used their platform to raise awareness of the healing power of music for servicemen and women who are coping with posttraumatic stress and other wounds of war. Here tonight to perform their rendition of battle hymn of the republic please welcome caleb green, ron henry, crystal reames and jason hanna. [applause] glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord he is trampling on the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored he has moved the faithful lightning of his terrible sword, his truth is martin on glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on his truth is marching on [applause] in addition to being president eisenhowers granddaughter she is a founding director, first president and chairman emeritus of the eisenhower institute. Its a think tank located in washington dc and gettysburg, pennsylvania. She is also an author with a new book out the summer. Please welcome susan eisenhower. Senator pat roberts, chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, members and distinguished guests it is a great pleasure to meet to be with you here with you tonight virtually to lend my voice and many others to express my gratitude of those who made the eisenhower memorial possible. It is that a heavy heart i am unable to be with you tonight and coronavirus has upset so many plans across america and so many things we all wanted to be able to participate in and to be present for. Unfortunately so many members, my family, were unable to be with you tonight and my siblings and i feel a deep sadness that it was not possible that we could be together. In any case, because of coronavirus regulations and other factors we are with you in spirit. I want to make special note of the people who played such a key role and there are many more and i want to thank senator pat roberts for his extraordinary leadership and i want to thank robert dole for his neverending help in assuring that the eisenhower memorial be built. I want to thank frank and there were so many others including the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the staff as well as appropriators who we worked with very closely but i also want to make special mention of many, many donors across our country who contributed their private funds to see this become a reality. And so, i want to take this opportunity also to stand back and think about the progress that was made on this memorial. Much has been written and discussed in the press about early controversies on this design but they are missing a much larger point. It is extraordinary to me that people of goodwill were able to come together and to talk about the differences in their various ideas to making this memorial a strong and meaningful note to Dwight Eisenhowers wartime president ial leadership. I think this memorial also stands as a symbol of compromise and progress and to that i have to think personally secretary james baker who played such a key role in an important part of this trajectory, making sure that we have a concept big enough that would serve the purposes of history. All of these come together and they made this memorial bigger, more meaningful and more monumental and i am so deeply grateful for that. It was secretary bakers idea to make the backdrop and the beaches of normandy in peacetime and think of the wonderful significance of that, not only victory in europe but winning the peace after the war. I hope many of you will have a chance to visit normandy yourself to see when iconic spot is truly it is. For the last two and half years ive been working on a book called how ike led and it was released about one month ago. In any case, i have studied my grandfathers president ial career and also dipped back into his wartime leadership that informed so much of his presidency. I was astonished to see a many things i did not know but also to see this enormous alliance between the person i knew and the person who was depicted in the history books. I was impressed by his craft of human nature, his belief in our country and commitment to service of the constitution of the United States. He always put his own personal interests aside and as a strategic leader led as a human being with the toughminded, determination to bring victory in europe and to bring our country together during the tumultuous time in our history but he led with his head and also lead with his heart. He was trusted by the American People and his president ial approach to politics assured that his administration can serve all segments of American Society and he held together during vast technological and social change fractured in fright in america. This is the wonderful space, let me say in conclusion, i am thrilled about the memorial itself and about the beautiful tapestry that depicts normandy and the extraordinary opportunity for people to come to this memorial, not just to reflect but also to come and gather with friends, maybe bring a sandwich and go to the museum after coming to the eisenhower memorial. It would be my idea of a great day. In closing, none of this wouldve been possible without the creativity and the patient patients, yes frank, the patients of our designer frank. He conceived this remarkable tribute to Dwight Eisenhower and his design is enhanced enormously, not only by the scrums that have never been done before but also by the moving statues by sergey. In closing, let me thank everyone for their cooperation and for their willingness to compromise and forth their vision of what to lead future generations about Dwight Eisenhower and for the community we are all now part of. With many thanks, good night. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, susan eisenhower. I want to take a moment to state this memorial speaks for itself but i have to put in a plug for the eisenhower president ial Library Museum in boyhood home in abilene, kansas. If you ever get the chance, take it. Ive been there probably eight times and it is worth doing this memorial is beautiful tonight. The moment has come that at this time i would like to ask the Eisenhower Memorial Commissioners along with David Eisenhower and interior secretary to come up to the front here for the official ribbon cutting. After words senator roberts will have some Closing Remarks and will officially hand over the key to this memorial, to the secretary. Please welcome the commissioners. [cheering and applause] finally, senator pat roberts. The department of interior through the National Park service has entrusted to serve as the steward and guardian of our National Parks and monuments in battlefields. Each site helps to tell americas story and it is a rich and incredible story. I just read the secretarys speech and it sort of fits. Mr. Secretary, i give you the key, dedication, september 17, 2020 dwight d. Eisenhower memorial. Ive been chairman for 21 years and i thought this would never calm. Mr. Secretary, thank you. Thank you. You can read the speech. [laughter] thank you, thank you so much. I am acutely aware of the only thing standing between you and a roof so let me be brief. The places we steward and protect often highlight exceptional action by incredible individuals and that is certainly the case here at the eisenhower memorial cleared tonight we come together to celebrate this dedication. It is a moment that represents your effort by you and many others and the story of the thought and the conception and the effort that went into this memorial is similar to the effort that has gone in to the development of memorial throughout the dc area and throughout our federal lands. Each of these memorials would carefully crafted, delicately placed on federal property and each telling an important story and we have an inspirational leader who rose to an incredible challenge and let our great nation to a moment that propelled us forward and telling stories like this are important to our National Identity and regrettably throughout this year we have seen that some have a different perspective and they wish to deface, destroy or remove or reconstitute works of art like this memorial. Some are trying to do that through criminal needs and such, no action will not be tolerated, crimes will be investigated and the penalties for past prosecution are severe. Each effort to reimagine a federal memorial should undergo the same thoughtful process that led to the creation of what we celebrate here tonight. Rather than removing and revising the memorials the trump administrations believe that we must tell more stories of exceptional action by exceptional people, none of whom are without some flaw but all of whom who can expire inspire us young and old. Therefore, i humbly accept the eisenhower memorial that is a 420th unit of the National Parks system. Thank you and god bless america. [applause] thank you, mr. Secretary. In closing, i would like to thank the 177 fighter wing of the new Jersey National guard for conducting tonights flyover. It was fantastic, even in the rain. Exactly. I would also like to think rachel mast, voices of service and the president s own marina bay on and the 100 First Air Force division, west Point Alumni Glee Club for their contributions during tonights event and ceremony. We are so proud they answered the call to participate, especially tonight. And now to conclude tonights program, voices of service will perform their renditions of abide with me, the army song in america the beautiful. We will be followed by the president s own u. S. Marine ban which will close us out and it has been a real honor to be the mc tonight. Honestly, a fruition of a process that book took me to an thank you very much for being here tonight, god bless and have a safe night. Abide with me lord, with me abide pain and comfort flee help us, ointerjection lord abide with me march along, sing along with the army of the free account the troops into who have fought the victory we are the army proud of our name the Army Goes Rolling along proud of all we have done the Army Goes Rolling along hi hi hey, army is on its way count on the cadets loud and strong wherever we go, the Army Goes Rolling along the Army Goes Rolling along [cheering and applause] for amber waves of grain for Purple Mountain majesties above the plane america, sweet america god send praise on the crown thy good with a sweet brotherhood from sea to shining sea america, america god shed his grace on the crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea from sea to shining sea [applause] [background noises] American History tv on cspan3 exploring the people and events that tell the american story every weekend. Coming up this weekend, saturday at 10 00 p. M. Eastern on real america, three films about the u. S. Census from the 1940s, 50s and 60s and sunday at 2 00 p. M. Eastern look back at the 1918 flu pandemic and how it altered American Life in ways that mirrored living through the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. At 7 00 p. M. The 1960s second president ial debate between john f. Kennedy and Richard Nixon and 8 00 p. M. Eastern on this presidency the dedication ceremony for the new dwight d. Eisenhower memorial in washington dc just off the National Mall and at the base of capitol hill. Speakers include memorial designer, former secretary of state condoleezza rice, Memorial Commission chair senator pat roberts and president eisenhowers grandchildren, david and susan eisenhower. Exploring the american story. Watch American History tv this weekend on cspan3. We are joined by republican congressman bruce westerman. Before elected office he worked
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