Reports of prizewinning author lawrence wright, and your phone calls. Near the end of june, watch for the annual roosevelt reading festival could reading vessel. Then author interviews and panel discussions. At the beginning of september were live from the Nations Capital for the National Book festival, celebrating its 15th year. Thats just a few of the events this summer on cspan2s book tv. President obama says this is the first memorial day since the end of military operations in afghanistan and the first memorial day since 9 11 that the u. S. Is not involved in a major ground war. The ceremony at Arlington National ceremony is 50 minutes. Present arms. [starspangled banner] order arms. Present arms. [drum roll] [taps] order arms. Ladies and gentlemen the wreath ceremony is complete. The Memorial Day Service will begin shortly. Please take your seats. [applause] [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please stand and remain standing. The command chaplain, joint force headquarters, and the United StatesArmy Military district of washington. Major general, jeffrey s buchanan, commanding general United States army, military district of washington. Mr. Patrick k. Hallinan, executive director, Arlington National cemeteries program. General martin e. Dempsey, chairman, joint chiefs of staff. The honorable ashton carter, defense secretary. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States. [applause] [applause] [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the chaplain. I invite you all to pray with me. Almighty god, we gather today across america, very mindful of the cost paid for the freedom we enjoy. We gather on these Hallowed Grounds particularly to remember and to honor, with singular devotion, men and women of ignoble clay like ours who rose above their human condition with noble hearts and steadfast will. Who despite the brevity or obscurity of their lives dignified our humanity and the profession of arms, by choosing to stand for something. Who declared with their actions, that preserving freedom was a cause to live for, to serve for, and even to die for. Bless our commemoration here and all of its participants, may this observance render honor to those who we remember. For what they gave, they deserve more than we can give. We ask you lord, to bestow upon them the gift that this world cannot give. Grant them the peace that they found so elusive in this life, and let that peace be full and everlasting. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen please join the United States marine band in singing our National Anthem. O 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 night, 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; o say does that starspangled banner yet wave, oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [applause] please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, general dempsey. [applause] general dempsey thank you very much. Let me begin by thanking the president s own, and mastery Gunnery Sergeant who did that rousing rendition of the anthem. Give them one more round of applause. [applause] general dempsey mr. President secretary carter, fellow americans, good morning and welcome. We come together in this anointed place, on this appointed date to honor our fallen warriors, those champions of freedom who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. I especially want to thank their families on behalf of the men and women of our armed forces. I want you to know that you are always in our hearts. We along with a grateful nation remain inspired by your strength and remarkable courage, and i want to make special mention of my teammates for the tragedy assistance program. They are celebrating their good grief camp. God bless you guys. [applause] general dempsey i am often asked my fellow countrymen and women how to properly honor our fallen. They wonder how they can best pay tribute to those laid to rest beneath our flag, so that we may stand freely beside it today. I tell them simply to remember. Our great nation has set aside today for this very purpose, to remember. To remember how our fallen stood with courage and to memorialize their devotion to america and to her principles. But the sun will set on this day and disappear behind the foothills of virginia, and in the morning when it rises over the potomac, what then . What should we do . Remember. Tomorrow, when you resume lifes daily routines, take a moment to think of the families who will return home and leave their loved ones here in this sacred place. Think of the families of those brave souls in cemeteries at home and abroad in unmarked graves on distant battlefields and in the tranquil blue seas. Think of the empty chair at their dinner table and the one less voice of laughter in their house. And what of next week, and next month, what should we do then . Remember. When you see our starspangled banner waving over your childs school, at your local shopping center, in front of your neighbors home, take a moment to consider those men and women who gave their lives for the principles that make america great. Upon seeing a purple heart license plate or hearing the National Anthem at a sporting event, take a moment to think of those who did not survive their wounds, who did not return home, who can never again salute the flag or share in the freedoms we experience each and every day. These are the acts of remembrance, daily rituals of reflection handed down to us by families of the fallen for generations. Remembrance, like love and trust, only truly exists in our actions. It is not a place we visit, or a simple sentiment, rather it is a debt of gratitude that shapes the way we live our lives. Let us pledge today to make a habit of these acts of remembrance as an example for the generations that follow. And a year from today, on the last monday of may, we will reconvene on this Hallowed Ground to reaffirm our promise to always remember. May god give rest to our fallen, and our missing, solace to their families, and blessings to the United States of america. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, listen now as the United States marine band performs america the beautiful. O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain for Purple Mountain majesties above the fruited plain America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea o beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life America America god mend thine evry flaw, and prove thy soul in selfcontrol thy liberty in law [applause] ladies and gentlemen, secretary carter. [applause] secretary carter mr. President , chairman and mrs. Dempsey, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. To our gold star families, the families of americas Fallen Heroes in attendance here and across our grateful nation, it is truly our honor to be standing with you on this solemn, sacred day. We, your fellow americans, lack the words to describe what you feel today. Because try as we may, and try as we do, we can never fully know. But we do know what your sacrifice means to us. To this nation, and to a world that still depends so much on american men and women in uniform for its security. As we gather here this morning im reminded of the words of one of our president s, a veteran who himself rests not a 10 minute walk from here. President john f. Kennedy. In this very amphitheater he once said, these quiet grounds, this cemetery, and others like it all around the world remind us with pride of our obligation and our opportunity. on a day set aside for americans to honor and remember those who perished while serving our country, our obligation and our opportunity are one and the same. Our obligation is to give voice to the fallen. Honor them, and share their stories of sacrifice and heroism. Our opportunity is to use this day to inspire new generations to understand the freedom they have been given. To grasp how and why it is theirs, and to dedicate themselves to pass it on to generations unborn. Reflect, for a moment, on the way our nations flag is flown on memorial day. First, it is hoisted briskly to the top, with the same clarity of purpose we see in all those who step forward to join our all volunteer force. Then it is solemnly, soberly lowered to half staff. A tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. But it does not stay there. At noon it is raised back toward the sky, signaling our will to recover after tragedy and symbolizing the great strength and resilience that characterizes not only our nation, but also those who defend it and their families. So today, when we watch the American Flag fully ascend once again, our thoughts will be with our service members, both lost and living, including the nearly 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines beyond our shores as we gather here. So ably protecting us far from home. They too join us in mourning the fallen. They too celebrate their strength. And like those we remember today, they too serve in a long line of patriots who fought in places like lexington and concord, gettysburg and midway and more recently, falluja and helment. A legacy that has made our military the finest fighting force our world has ever known. Troops of such caliber demand great leaders, and there is no doubt they have one in our commanderinchief. I see that every day. He knows well the challenges we must face, the obligations we must meet, and the opportunities we must seize in order to keep our nation safe, and to make a better world for our children. And i see that he cares deeply about the safety, welfare, and dignity of our men and women in uniform and their families. For all that, and so much more i am tremendously proud to serve as his secretary of defense. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great privilege to introduce the president of the United States barack obama. [applause] president obama thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you for your leadership of our men and women in uniform. Major general buchanan executive director chaplain members of our armed services, veteran, and most of all, family and friends of our fallen. Its my deep honor to share this day with you again. For 147 years, our nation has set aside this day to pay solemn tribute to patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country that we love. While the nature for has changed over that time, the values that drive our brave men and women remain, honor, courage selflessness. Those values live in the hearts of every day he risk everything for us in every american war. Men and women who now rest forever in these quiet fuels and across our land. They lived in the patriots who sparked a revolution and who saved our youth. They lived in the young gis in europe and the pacific. This year we market historic anniversary, 70 years since our victory in world war ii. More than 60 million americans left everything they knew to fight for our freedom. More than 400,000 gave their lives. And today i asked all the family and friends of our fallen world war ii heroes, spouses children, brothers, and sisters, and fellow veterans from world war ii to please stand if you can, or raise your hands so that our country can thank you once more. [applause] president obama these same values lived in those who braved the mountains of korea, the jungles of vietnam, the deserts of the middle east. And in the past decade we have seen these values on display again in the men and women of our 9 11 generation. For many of us, this memorial day is especially meaningful. It is the first since our war in afghanistan came to an end. Today is the first memorial day in 14 years that the United States is not engaged in a major ground war. So on this day we honor the sacrifice of the thousands of American Service members, men and women, who gave their lives since 9 11, including more than 2,200 american patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in afghanistan. As an arizona kid, wyatt martin loved the outdoors. He started fishing when he was 2 years old. His dad says he was pretty good for a toddler. Wyatt grew to 64, became a hunter, and wore flannel shirts every day, so his friends nicknamed him paul bunyan. He planned to go to college and work in the arizona game and Fish Department so that he could protect the land and waters he loved so much. Wyatts life was animated by the belief that the blessings that he and his family enjoyed as americans came with an obligation to give back, an obligation to serve. So before he pursued his dream of being a good steward of the great outdoors, he enlisted in the army. And when he deployed to afghanistan as a combat engineer, there was no doubt in his mind that he was doing the right thing. Last summer, wyatt told his sister, if something happens to me, know that i went happy. Ramone morris was born in jamaica. He moved to queens as a teenager, and like so many proud immigrants, he was called, compelled to serve his new country. He too enlisted in the army, and he even recruited his older brother marlin to join as well. He served five tours, including several in iraq. Along the way, he fell in love with an Army Reservist named christina. They had little girl and named her arianna. Ramone was the kind of leader who would do anything for his men on and off the battlefield. But nothing was more important to him than being a great father to his little girl. Specialist wyatt martin and Sergeant First ClassRamone Morris were 15 years apart in age. They traveled greatly different paths in life. But those paths took them to the same unit. Those paths made them brothers in arms, serving together in afghanistan. In december, an ied struck their vehicle. They were the last two americans to give their lives during our combat mission in afghanistan. Today, here in arlington, in section 60, ramone lies in eternal rest, and we are honored to be joined by his brother, Sergeant First Class marlin, who is deploying for germany tonight. Thank you, marlin. Thank you to your family. [applause] president obama these two men these two heroes you saw them passing on the street, you would not know they were brothers. But under this flag, in common cause, they were bonded together to secure our liberty, to keep us safe. My fellow americans, this Hallowed Ground is more than the final resting place of heroes. It is a reflection of america itself. It is a reflection of our history, the wars weve waged for democracy, the peace weve laid to preserve it. Its a reflection of our diversity. Men and women of all backgrounds, all races, and creeds, and circumstances, and faiths, willing to defend and die for the ideals that bind us as one nation. It is a reflection of our character, seen not only in those who are buried here, but also in the caretakers who watch over them and preserve this sacred place and in the sentinels of the third infantry regiment who dutifully, unfailingly, watch over those patriots known only to god, but never forgotten. Today a grateful nation thanks them as well. Most americans do not fully see, do not fully understand the sacrifice made by the 1 who serve in this allvolunteer armed forces. The sacrifice that preserves the freedoms we too often take for granted. Few know what it is like to take a bullet for a buddy or to live with the fact that he or she took one for you, but our gold star families, our military families, our veterans, they know this, intimately. Whenever i meet with our gold star families, like i did this morning, i hear their pride through their tears, as they flip through old photos, run their fingers over shiny medals. I see that their hearts are still broken, and yet still full of love. They do not ask for awards or honors, they do not ask for special treatment, they are unfailingly humble. Owners, they do not ask for special treatment, they are unfailingly humble in the face of unspeakable loss. They represent the best of who we are. They are people like ramons mother who could carry case for the people who killed her son but she said i have no anger, no bitterness, even for the person who did this. I feel sorry for them, and i as k god to change their life. That is one gold star mother of amazing grace. People like wyatts parents who said he was not just our kid, he is everyones. He is an american soldier, and as an american soldier, he belongs to everybody. The siblings like the goldstar sister who wrote to me of her brother, private class Stephen Dennis gave his life in 2004. She said remember him not as 1253rd war casualty, but the 67 inch burst of light he was on the world. These sons and daughters, these brothers and sisters, who lay down their lives for us, they belong to us all. They are our children too. We benefit from their life, their positive influence on the world, and it is our duty, our eternal obligation to be there for them too. To make sure our troops always have what they need to carry out the mission, to make sure we care for all those who have served. To make sure we honor all those who we have lost. To make sure that we keep faith with our military families. To make sure we never stop searching for those who are missing, or trying to bring home our prisoners of war. We are greatful for the families of our pow mias. This may be the first memorial day since the end of our war in afghanistan, but we are acutely aware that our men women in uniform still stand watch, still serve and still sacrifice around the world. Several years ago we had more than 100,000 troops in afghanistan. Today, fewer than 10,000 troops remain on a mission to train the afghan forces. We will continue to bring them home, to reduce our forces rather down to an embassy presence by the end of next year, but afghanistan remains a very dangerous place. So many families know our troops continue to risk their lives for us. Growing up in massachusetts john dawson was an honor student to play varsity soccer, he loved the bruins, he loved the past, he was always up for fun. Running into a room spraying silly string or photobombing before it was in style. He was passionate about the service. You share the same convictions of so many we honor today. He wanted nothing more than to john a join a common cause, be part of something bigger than himself. He did journey} with his church he joined the army, as a combat medic he fulfilled his dream of helping people. He loved his job. In april, an attacker wearing an afghan uniform fired at a group of american soldiers. An Army Corporal john dawson became the first servicemember to give his life in this new mission to train the afghan forces. The words on his dog tag were those in scripture. Greater love has no one other than this, then to lay down your life for your friends. The americans rest beneath these beautiful hills, and in sacred ground across our country and around the world, they are why our nation indoors. Endures. Each simple stone marker arranged in military precision signify the cost of our freedom. It is a debt we can never repay. But it is a debt we will never stop trying to fully repaid. Repay, by remaining a nation worthy of their sacrifice, by living our own lives the way the pollen lived there, a testament that greater love has no one other than this led to lay down your life or your friends. We are so grateful for them. We are so grateful. For the families of our fallen. May god bless our Fallen Heroes and their families, and all who serve, and may he continue to bless the United States of america. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the playing of taps and the benediction. [taps] eternal rest grant unto our beloved dead old lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Bless us lord, bless us all across this land we call america , with strength, wisdom and courage. Made the sacrifice of so many who have died in service to our country and our world inspire us to remain to a renewed commitment to our nation and to our patriotic duty. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in place until the president has departed and the colors are retired. [applause] [applause] last week, Johnny Isakson said that to mark memorial day senators should lost from debate to said prayer for many women in you or who have given their lives for our freedom. The senate is not in session this week. Madam president , as chairman of the Veterans Affairs committee, on the eve of memorial day i think it is a good that we pause for a moment, we debate as democrats and republicans on the floor on currency, trade, national security, the issues of the day in a contentious debate. We do so freely and without fear of retribution. We know when we go home at night we are peace and comfort knowing we are in a safe nation. Those who have sacrificed and given their lives so that america can exist today. I think its only appropriate that each of us pause to give a prayer for our soldiers who have risked their lives and given their lives for our country. I make an effort to go to american cemeteries all over the world to make sure we are still honoring those who sacrifice the weather should be honored. I want to share a brief story. On memorial day in may 2007, i went with members of the senate into the American Cemetery in the netherlands, where over 8000 americans are buried who fought in the battle of the bulge who liberated concentration camps. They were successful, but they died. I walked down the rows of rosss looking at each name, ostensibly looking for georgians, to say of brief prayer for them. Toward the back of the cemetery, the last cross, from new jersey, design died december 8 1940 four. A tear welled up in my eye because that today i was born. 70 years later i visited as a free person in a free society. I served in the military myself raised a family, have nine grandchildren, all because of people like roy c early who on the day i was born died at the battle of the bell battle of the bulge in the neverland in the netherlands. We must remember what memorial day is all about. Its about those who made the ultimate sacrifice. One other point, we should say a special rare for the parents of those Young Americans who fought and died in iraq, afghanistan in the current worse today. We had a tragedy with the fall of falluja and rouhani. We need the parents to know their sons and daughters did not die in vain. We will see to it that america does what america always does, and we only ask for one thing when we leave, and on this memorial day, i say a god for the american soldiers who fought and died for our country and thank god for the united dates of america. This memorial day, we bring you a series of interviews with freshmen members of congress. Coming up, we will hear from republican representative lee zeldin of new york. Later, illinois congressman mike bost. We will talk to Supreme Court reporter Kimberly Robinson about some of the terms undecided Supreme Court cases. That includes health care subsidies, gay marriage, and using social media. Later, free market economies and pop culture. The book is popular economics. You can join the conversation by phone or on facebook or twitter. President ial candidates often release books to introduce themselves to voters. Heres a look at some books written by declared and potential candidates for president. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton looks back on her time serving in the Obama Administration in hard choices. In american dreams, florida senator marco rubio outlines his plan to restore economic opportunity. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee gives his take on politics and culture in god guns, grits and grey i have, and Rick Santorum argues the Republican Party must focus on the working class in order to retake the white house. In a fighting chance, massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren recounts the events in in her life that shaped her career as an educator and politician. Wisconsin Governor Scott walker argues republicans must offer Bold Solutions to fix country and have the courage to implement them in unintimidated. And kentucky senator rand paul, who has also declared his candidacy, calls for Smaller Government and more bipartisanship in his latest book, taking a stand. More potential president ial candidates with recent books include former governor jeb bush. In immigration wars he, along he argues for new immigration policies. In stand for something, Ohio Governor john kasich calls for a return to traditional american values. Former senator james webb looks back on his time serving in the military and the senate in i heard my country calling. Independent vermont senator Bernie Sanders recently announced his intention to seek the democratic nomination for president. His book, the speech, is a printing of his eighthourlong filibuster against tax cuts. And in promises to keep, Vice President joe biden explains his guiding principles. Neurosurgeon ben carson calls for greater individual responsibility to preserve americas future in one nation. In fed up, former Texas Governor rick perry explains government has become too intrusive and must get out of way. Another politician who has expressed interest in running for president is former rhode island governor lincoln chafee. He recounts his time serving as a republican in the senate. Carly fiorina, former ceo of lieu hewlettpackard, in rising to the challenge, shares lessons she has learned from her difficulties and triumphs. Former new york governor George Pataki is considering running for president. In 1998 he releases pataki where he looks back on his path to the governorship. Louisiana governor bobby jindal criticizes the Obama Administration and explains why conservative solutions are needed in washington in leadership and crisis. And finally, in a time for truth, another declared president ial candidate, texas senator ted cruz, recounts his journey from a cuban immigrant son to the u. S. Senate. Next, a conversation with lee zeldin. He was deployed during the iraq or in 2006. He defeated incumbent tim bishop in new yorks first congressional district, which includes port jefferson, sag host congressman lee zel what got you interesteddin in running for congress . Rep. Lee zeldin being alongside great men and women, and i wanted to continue to serve. I came back home, moved about half a mile from where i grew up , and i started running for congress. Host where is that . Rep. Lee zeldin long island. A lot of people know the hamptons. There are a lot of vineyards, agriculture out there, and i live in a small town just west of the hamptons called for caven called brookhaven. That is where i live. Host