A portion of the event was held by video conference. [bugle] [inaudible] love of god, fairness in human relations, responsibility, concern for the welfare of others, and conviction that each individual could through his own efforts achieve a full life. It is the firm duty of each of our free citizens to place the cause of his country before himself. We must be ready to give out to our country for history does not long entrust the care of history to the weak or timid. We must be willing to accept as a nation to accept whatever sacrifices must be required of us. A people who values privileges above principle soon will dissolved. These men came here to storm these beaches not to gain anything for themselves but just to preserve freedom, systems of selfgovernment in the world. Many thousands died for ideal such as these. But these people gave us a chance and they bought time for us so that we can do better than we have before. We must find some way to gain an eternal peace for this world. You and i, my fellow citizens, need to be strong in our faith that all nations under god will reach the goal of peace with justice. We pray that peoples of all faiths, all races, all nations, may have their great human needs satisfied. And that the scourge of poverty, disease and ignorance will be made to disappear from the earth. And that in the goodness of time, all people will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of Mutual Respect and love. Good evening and welcome to the dedication ceremony for the dwight d. Eisenhower memorial. For everyones health and safety, please exercise safe social distancing, and ensure that 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 as they were with general eisenhower, the night before dday, to present tonights colors. They will be accompanied by the president s owned marine band. The National Anthem will be performed by the celebrated group voices of service, who will then be followed by kansass own rachel math, with the pledge of allegiance. Please rise for the National Colors and please remain standing for the National Anthem and the pledge of allegiance. Please rise. [military band plays] oh, say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed, at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, oer 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 starspangled banner yet wave, oer the land of the free, and the home of the brave . [applause] [planes fly overhead] [applause] i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [military band plays] thank you to the 177th fighter wing from the new Jersey National guard for providing flyover coverage for this evening ceremony. To give tonights invocation we are pleased to have with us u. S. Senate chaplain barry c. Black. Chaplain 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 the rear admiral was elected to serve as the 62nd chaplain of the United States senate and has been in that role ever since. To open tonights ceremony in prayer, here is chaplain black. You may be seated. Let us pray. Oh, lord, the light of lights, 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, accept our gratitude for the life and legacy of president Dwight David Eisenhower who more than self, his country loved, and mercy more than life. We praise you that his love for freedom summoned our nation to embrace our best hopes. We praise you that his love for freedom summoned our nation to embrace our best hopes. Thank you, mighty god, for his ability to plant seeds of confidence. To build bridges that help to 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 what dust to love lord, give us the grace to love what you command and to desire what you have promised. Granted that guided by your light we may reach the light that never fades and for your truth we may reach the truth that is complete. Bless this evening our food and fellowship and reflections and inspiration we pray in your sovereign name. Amen. To recognize those who made this memorial possible and to acknowledge please welcome the vice chairman of the commission and the representative of the california fifth Congressional District Mike Thompson. Good evening. I am congressman Mike Thompson from californias fifth Congressional 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 only be the seventh president ial memorial to be built in washington, dc. Congress passed the bill to create the eisenhower memorial while president 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 not for the 12 member 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 in attendance, please stand when you hear your name. The chairman, senator pat roberts of kansas. [applause] senator joe mansion from west virginia. [applause] senator gary peters, of michigan. [applause] senator sullivan, of alaska. [applause] congressman bishop from georgia. [applause] congressman simpson of idaho. [applause] [applause] former kansas senator bob dole. [applause] Commission Member Catherine Ann stevens thank you for your leadership and your devotion to this magnificent project. I would like to acknowledge other people with us this evening. The secretary of interior david bernhardt. [applause] the secretary of transportation elaine chao. [applause] in the secretary of education betsy de vos. [applause] thank you for the Education Department housed in the building behind me for being 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 for all that you have done over the years for this important project. [applause] 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. [applause] i also want to recognize Brigadier General robert for representing the marine corps. And the colonel representing the 101st Airborne Division. [applause] thank you both for being here. We are also grateful to have the ambassador of the republic of china, and the deputy chief of mission from italy with us tonight. Thank you for representing your beautiful nations and the support youve shown for this memorial. I would also like to recognize tomas osimsky, the artist and architect who created the incredible tapestry you see behind me. [applause] this oneofakind piece displays the iconic normandy coastline in peactime, 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. Tomas, on behalf of the commission, thank you for your incredible work. [applause] i also want to recognize the Senior Leadership from Clark Construction who are here with us. Randy, david and jared, thank you for your dedication to completing this fantastic memorial. [applause] i also want to recognize alex, kia and kaden eisenhower, president eisenhowers great grandson and great great grandchildren here representing the eisenhower family. We also have merle 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. To make a special recognition please welcome the host of full court press and the voice of plugged in, greta van sustern. [applause] good evening. If you think this weather is rough, think of what it was like on the English Channel back in 1944. This weather is nothing like what the members of the military did for us. It is a great night tonight and we honor general eisenhower. And his spectacular military career. I am sure senator bob dole would want me to mention some of the generals accomplishments because without this service, this nation and the world would be a very different place. The general did not stop with the military career which will you will hear about tonight. Like many others from world war ii went on to serve the nation in other capacities. He became president. As president , general eisenhower, president eisenhower did incredible things. In a few brief examples, in 1956, president eisenhower championed the formation of the interstate highway system. Look where that took us all. All across the great nation. In 1958, president eisenhower established nasa the civilian, space Agency Responsible for the Space Program and look where it took us, to the moon. When the Supreme Court struck down racial segregation in schools in 1954, but one Arkansas School district defy the law, it was president eisenhower who sent troops to uphold the Supreme Court decision fighting segregation. He led us in war. As president he let us in no war through fairness and prosperity. This leads me to another world war ii vet, robert dall. The story does not back to world war ii before i was born. But it goes back to april of 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 following day the memorial would be dedicated. I had the perfect guest that night, senator robert dole. Senator dole famous for being a senator and as a quiet hero himself, he enlisted in world war ii and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant before shipping off to italy. In april 1945 and was wounded by the machine gun fire as he attempted to rescue a radioman during an assault on an enemy position. His fellow soldiers upon seeing the extent of his injury thought all they could do was give him the largest dose of morphine they dared and write mon his forehead so nobody else would give him a second fatal dose. His chances of living were slim but he did not give up, he never has. He faced overwhelming odds while spending many years in a military hospital. For his military service to his nation, to all of us, robert dole was decorated three times, two purple hearts for his injuries and a bronze star for attempting to rescue the radioman. When i said to him i said how did this come about . 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 reaped all of the benefits of all of the sacrifices of general eisenhower and all the world war ii vets including senator dole had not raised the money for the monument when we were the ones who of the great thanks to him and everyone else who fought there. We know that without general eisenhower and all the others who served, 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 didnt stop at the world war ii memorial. When he told me that the project was under way to build this memorial, something he and senator roberts something they wanted to do and i thought i need to be part of this in some way and of course thats what brings us here tonight. To this dedication of this memorial to general eisenhower. Speaking tonight about general eisenhower is a great honor and it is a great honor to be here tonight to thank all of the world war ii vets and all of the current people serving in uniform, senator pat roberts, and they all helped us get here. This memorial to general eisenhower is a great inspiration, great reminder to all america and to all the great things our nation does. And all the great leaders who led us here. A special thanks to senator roberts, senator dole and everyone else who participated in the project so we can continue to remind ourselves of what we can do. Here is senator dole. I am sorry that i could not 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. He was decisive. And he spent much of his time in world war ii trying to reconcile the interests 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 he made many, many tough decisions. So i am very proud to be from kansas, not from abilene but not far away, and im really proud to call general eisenhower, president eisenhower, major eisenhower, whatever, my hero. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please welcome brett baer, chief Political Correspondent for fox news. [applause] good evening. Wasnt it wonderful to hear from senator dole tonight . It is a true honor to be here. Obviously, senator dole, a true american hero, Public Servant. My day job is to cover the news across the chest and around the around the u. S. And across the world. But i am also a huge fan of general eisenhower, 34th president , in fact so much so i wrote a book about him three days in january, Dwight Eisenhowers final mission. The thing i loved about ike is what has made him so beloved to this day to generations like mine and younger who werent around during his era. How he was perfectly reflecting the american ideal. He was an ordinary man that answered the call to perform an extraordinary duties and deeds, and when the war was over, he was humble about it. He realized his fame was earned as he put it in the blood of his followers and 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 always trusted the American People to be smarter even than their leaders. And his own personal code was to associate with and learn from people who knew more than he did. Throughout his lifetime he 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 its superiority with our weapon systems or the dominance of our economy. As he liked to say, what counts isnt necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. This is a special event. We are sorry that it is raining but it doesnt take away from this moment. I know i could speak on behalf of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and say that this ceremony wouldnt be the same if it were not for all of you here tonight and all that youve done. Whether youre here in person or washing on cspan or, streaming online. Thank you for coming, thank you for watching and recognizing americas Supreme Commander during world war ii and her 34th president. One quick reminder for everyone, to keep social distancing, health and safety. They do ask of the attendees tonight to practice that and 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 idylwild, california which he worked on actually as an apprentice and his most recent is this, the Dwight 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 greeting. So please welcome frank gehry. What a day today. 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 did not seem great, surrounded by traffic and office buildings, but that was it. And with the help of many, starting with words of encouragement from Daniel Inouye, and members of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, led by senator pat roberts, we got it done. There were sensitivities expressed by many including the eisenhower family. We listened to all and the result is better. For my life this is one of my proudest moments and i regret that i cannot be there to enjoy this with you. Directed by colonel jason fati, please welcome the president s own United States marine band and their rendition of song of the marching man, an arrangement performed at both the 1953 and 1957 inaugurations for president eisenhower. [military band plays] the president s marine band sounds good in any weather. Tonights event literally would not be possible without the next speaker. U. S. Senator pat roberts is a native kansan and has been with the Eisenhower Memorial Commission since it inception, in 2001. As 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 kansasfavorite sons. When he took on the role as chairman in 2015. Throughout his life, the senator has devoted himself to the citizens of kansas, and on a National Level has been a congressional leader in the sectors of agriculture, health care and defense. But most importantly, senator roberts is a man of character, shown through his through his ability to balance his lifelong career as a Public Servant along with a steady devotion to his family. Together, he and his wife of over 50 years, frankie, who is joining the senator 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. I present to you senator pat roberts. [applause] thank you, brett. As an eisenhower author, i know that you share our enthusiasm for his legacy and we appreciate you so much. As greta pointed out, this is dday and as he said as ike said to the 101st, okay, lets go. So, here we go. Greetings to all of our guests here tonight and to those of you watching now we all wish we could 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 gehry, and his partners unfortunately are unable 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, Daniel Inouye and senator Lisa Murkowski who kept this whole effort alive through her great support. [applause] we couldnt have done this without you, lisa, and i really appreciate it. I also want to thank my fellow commissioners as was already done by sir michael, who allowed us to conduct our business and truly bipartisan way, in the image of the man we honor tonight. And i want to thank one commissioner in particular, and hes 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 gravely wounded, he fought both he fought his way back to the health and a wonderful career in the United States senate. He applied that same tenacity and spirits to fundraising on behalf of this memorial. David is a renowned author. David and susan. Because of your valued input, we have a fitting memorial to your beloved grandfather. Now, we persevered then we persevered and then we got it right. Thank you to the eisenhower family. I want to thank the donors, some of whom are here tonight and because of you this memorial is complete. The donations come in all sizes and we are grateful for every one of them. I would like to extend a special recognition for one in particular. A teacher in east toledo, ohio. Back in 2012, in honor of veterans day, the classes pitched in their quarters and nichols and dimes and pennies and sent them to washington so they could support this memorial. Rabin, will you please stand so we can thank you for teaching Young Americans the importance of giving back to their community and their country as well as their heritage. Thank you. [applause] as a senator i always say you, are only as good as your staff and that certainly applies to this project, the Commission Staff spearheaded by general, victoria. [applause] the loudest applause of the night. Deserve our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for their unwavering focus on building this memorial. Carl, queen victoria, dan, ed shannon, joyce, chris, we, thank you. [applause] and for my own staff i am going, to take a little license here. There are two women in particular that i would like 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 chair is equally the success of bringing this memorial to commission amber and jackie, thank you for your creativity, loyalty and diligence. [applause] 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, please. Good evening, senator roberts and honored guests. I am astronaut Chris Cassidy, commander of the space station orbiting 260 miles above earth. Along with our administrator i am honored to join you in celebrating the memorial dedication of the nation 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 vision for the Amazing Things we do in human and Robotic Exploration today, which benefit all humankind back on earth. President eisenhowers voice on the first broadcast from space in 1958 was the beginning of what is now part of our daytoday life as we approach the 20th anniversary of the human presence right here on the International Space station. Senator roberts, i congratulate the Eisenhower Memorial Commission in this dedication is as a lasting tribute to the Great American hero, a patriot and the president. All the best to you from us on the International Space station. Take care. [applause] thank you, Chris Cassidy for making that possible along with the team at nasa. Yet another eisenhower achievement. Before the pandemic, the dedication was to be may 8, the 75th anniversary of ve day. An anniversary with worldwide significance. Today, september 17, is in anniversary of Truly American origins. On this day in 1787, after debate and compromise, our constitution was finally signed in philadelphia. Later it became known as citizenship day. What would ikes message about citizenship be to us now . Duty before country, was eisenhowers creed. In his reflections on the first day at west point he said, when we raise our right hands, and repeated the official oath, a feeling came over me that the expression of the United States of america would now and henceforth mean Something Different than it ever had before. From here on, it would be the nation i am, not myself. Eisenhower saw the promise america holds for everyone. A reciprocal responsibility to serve the country that offers 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 his country before the comfort and convenience of himself. Putting his country before himself meant many things in eisenhowers life. It meant moving from place to place, often to other countries, it meant leaving his family behind. It meant bearing the responsibility of sending hundreds of thousands of sailors and soldiers and airmen into peril. It meant sacrifice as we see reflected in the soldiers of the 101st airborne listening to their commander on the eve of dday. Ok lets go. In this memorial, we see the age of eisenhower and america embodied in the dreams of a young man. Just as eisenhower left abilene at 20, to go to west point. And later selected to be the supreme allied commander during world war ii. And then president of the United States. America was transitioning from Humble Beginnings to Global Leadership and ike led the way. The legacy of that emergence of america can be seen in the tapestry in peacetime, normandy in peace, a symbol of the sacrifice made there to liberate europe and secure freedom from nazi tierney, saving western democracy. Memorials act as historical touchstones. They are the intersection of memories and history. They are meant to inspire contemplation and reflection about events and people, like 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 today. And what we are, as individuals, and 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 to apply those principles to our 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. And this memorial comes at exactly the right time to provide light in our troubling times. As we look to the entrance of the memorial, we see the hopes of all young men and a teenage boy from the small town of kansas looking back at us in the hopes of men and women that we still have within us our own dreams and liberty and freedom. To make it possible 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 by strength of character and determination of spirit and character. Eisenhower understood ones personal ability to chart his or her own course can change the course of the world. That american story the story of, the young boy from abilene. That is celebrated at the entrance to this memorial. For me as a smalltown kansas boy, i never dreamed i would one day dedicate a memorial to kansasfavorite son, Dwight D Eisenhower. It is with wonder in my heart that i stand here near the statues of eisenhower as general and president and with the towering cliffs behind us and i marvel at the lessons he left us. Life in a small town is not easy. 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 wrungs on the ladder of success, somebody is there to help you climb back. We tear each others victories and stood beside each other in our moments of defeat. No wonder, did eisenhower declare the proudest thing i can claim is that i from abilene. Amin closing, i take you back to the moment 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 the power to discern clearly right from wrong. And allow all of our words and actions to be governed thereby. And for the laws of the land are concerned shall be for all people regardless of station or raise our calling. May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those under the concepts of our constitution called to different political faiths, so we may all work for the good of our beloved country and thy glory, amen. May the United States of america mean something more to each of us because of eisenhowers legacy and our reflections thank you. [applause] please welcome former secretary of state and National Security adviser condoleezza rice. Hello. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to participate even 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 and bringing us to this day. And to my friend susan and the entire eisenhower family thank you for allowing me to participate. Dwight d eisenhower was president when i was born. I dont personally remember many of the events of his presidency but i have always had a real sense of connection to him not just by the accident of the timing of my birth and his tenure. As young girl growing up in birmingham alabama, he was a hero to those who like my, parents and their friends, sought just to be treated as firstclass citizens in america. They thought justice and they saw and president eisenhower a leader who thought justice. My father cast his first vote as a republican ford dwight d. Eisenhower and he did so with pride and i remember 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 that protected the young black children as they tried to finally deliver on the Supreme Court decision of brown v board of education to integrate segregated schools in little rock arkansas. That was an act befitting a leader. Eisenhower was a leader. Then of course the Civil Rights Act of 1967 which would create a commission on civil rights and the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and would lay the groundwork for the landmark civil rights legislation of 1964 and 65. As a student and practitioner of International Politics i also, felt a connection to president eisenhower who stood as a giant, the last general to serve as our president. I always believe that he ended the korean war because it was the right thing to do and also as a soldier he knew more than most civilians, the cost of war. And yet, he knew was not just a matter of ending wars but of establishing a just peace throughout the world and therefore his administrations National Security strategy, which would really throughout the cold war until its end, guide our policy as facing down the threats of communism in europe and in asia. When i had the opportunity as a young staff member at the National Security council in 1989 to 1991 to be a part of that team that finally got to deliver on that promise, the liberation of eastern europe, the unification of germany and finally the peaceful collapse of the soviet union, i always try to take a minute to remember truman and eisenhower and all of those who made it possible. Then of course in the middle east, president eisenhower would be associated with the eisenhower doctrine, which sought 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. Like the general a sentry and half before him, george washington, president eisenhower did not seek political life. It sought him. It was a time when our country was emerging onto the world stage as a dominant force for pete sampras parody and freedom, and when new threats were arising in asia and the middle east. He led us and the alliance we built, particularly nato where he was the first supreme allied commander, to accept those responsibilities with strength and with will, but also with our value solidly at the center of what we did. I would be remiss if we didnt mention one other connection to president eisenhower. He loved that infuriating game called golf and so do i. As i look out at our country today, the civil strife, economic and health challenges, questions 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 who he was. Called to service, he served, with humility and integrity and love of country. He knew that democracy is not a spectator sport. And although politics was not 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 through the challenges and opportunities that victory afforded. And he would seek to right the wrongs that come front and oppressed black citizens. I believed he was motivated in part by having watched the service of black soldiers who were willing to pay the last full measure, and love of america, even when america did not love them. And so he honored them and those like them. He knew that america would not be fully free until all of its people were fully free. Thank you for allowing me to 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 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, a people that values its privileges above its principles will soon lose both. Those are words to live by today. We face many difficult challenges here in america. Let us remember that democracy is something we all have to own. Democracy is something that doesnt work unless every citizen is involved. In doing so, let us remember the legacy and the example of dwight d. Eisenhower, who was called and so with splendid results for our country. God bless you. God bless the memory of dwight d. Eisenhower. And may god continue to bless the United States of america. Thank you. [applause] former secretary of state, National Security advisor condoleezza rice. Here tonight, as mentioned by senator roberts, is president eisenhowers grandson, david eisenhower. He is an author, a professor, and someone after my own heart, a television host. Please welcome david eisenhower. [applause] thank you and congratulations on the book that brett darrow wrote. A very good book. Distinguished guests and speakers, congressman thompson has identified members of my family who are here tonight. My son alex, my sister marys son. We have grandchildren here. Julie and i are advised that my daughters are looking in tonight. Their children, my sisters, their children, three generations of eisenhowers in total. On behalf of three generations of the eisenhower family, i wish to say that this is a wonderful and longawaited evening. The program calls on me to tell family stories. And since its raining, and a number of speakers have drawn attention to that, i will tell you our very favorite family story. It is june, 1954. Dr. Milton eisenhower is president of penn state. Dwight eisenhower, his brother is president of the United States and is scheduled to deliver a commencement at penn state. As you know, penn state is a very large university. This is an outdoor event, and with thousands 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 he is pacing the living room. But as the story goes, at one point eisenhower remarks, milton, since june 6, 1944, i have never worried about the rain. Such was the life that Dwight Eisenhower led. He experienced acute worries and a life of boldness, decision, bravery, and achievements in his service of the country. Indeed my earliest memory of the, world is being buckled into a seat aboard the columbine the command plane in 1951. I distinctly remember granddad boarding the plane in his army uniform. I remember the energy surrounding him. In the years to follow, not once did i doubt his greatness. Knowing his mind and spirit, his generosity, fairness and courage. I will also speak as a former commissioner. I was a member of the original commission that gathered 20 years ago. In the 20year effort to complete the eisenhower memorial we have seen that National Memorials do not just come about. Weve learned in the process that there will always be differing opinions and controversy. And we have seen that success depends on dedicated individuals possessed of energy, singlemindedness and vision. Such a person was our original commission chairman, the late rocco siciliano. And tonight, we also remember to other members, senators ted stevens and Daniel Inouye. Two early commissioners who would not settle for anything less than a Great National memorial. And senator stevenss wife, catherine, is with us tonight. She is a commissioner and i say congratulations to her. I also offer congratulations also to susan harris. Board members throughout this process, and our deepest appreciation to the congressman and senators who also served. And we salute general carl rigell without whom there would be no memorial. [applause] and it is fitting that senator and chairman pat roberts is giving a keynote tonight. He is uniquely qualified to honor to honor his fellow kansan, Dwight Eisenhower. He guided this memorial across the finish line. And a very special thank you to a true hero, senator bob dole, who so proudly hails from Dwight Eisenhowers beloved kansas. Thank you, senator for the boost, you provided as a commissioner. I would also like to say congratulations to my sisters, anne, mary and susan. And i think anne and mary would not resent it if i let emphasis to susan. They played a major role in organizing support and sponsorship for this memorial. And congratulations to architect frank gehry who throughout this process, held fast to the fundamentals of his Design Concept which i was first privileged to see in 2007. For instance, i believe that a key message conveyed by the memorial is embodied in the statue of young Dwight Eisenhower, a feature of frank gehrys earliest design. My feeling about that statute were confirmed at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2017. When i found myself in conversation with a former student of mine, now a very prominent pollster. He said to me that he felt emotional about the memorial project because of that statue. He pointed out that the eisenhower memorial would be a rare place in washington, d. C. , where young people visiting the the capital would gaze at as statue and say thats me, or thats my classmate, that is someone like me. Such people would then look beyond that statue to the panorama telling of Dwight Eisenhowers and americas accomplishments in war and peace, and they will think that americans can do things like that. As we all know, the question of memorialization has become an issue over the last several years. A truth, i believe, has emerged in the discussions, that memorials indeed preserve history, and they also do and must reflect our values. And so, in the end, the test of a memorial is timelessness. And timelessness is something i believe has been achieved by this memorial. For i think all of us tonight can hope and pray that a time will never come when americans do not cherish the values depicted here. Hard work, bravery, optimism steadfastness and a vision. And the time when americans do not cherish the story presented here of 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 our platform to raise awareness of the healing power of music for servicemen and servicewomen 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 rhimes and jason hannah. [applause] [[the battle hymn of the republic]
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