Theory 2 Action Podcast
Theory 2 Action Podcast
SPECIAL MOJO MOMENT: A Nation Rediscovers Its Heart: The Unknown Vietnam Soldier
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Few moments in American history have carried the weight of reconciliation and healing that President Ronald Reagan's 1984 Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery embodied. In this poignant episode, we explore how this landmark speech—delivered just nine years after the Vietnam War's conclusion—represented a crucial turning point in our national memory.
Reagan's words that day bridged political divides to honor the Unknown Soldier from Vietnam with the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military decoration. "Those who were never welcomed home with speeches and bands, but who were never defeated in battle and were heroes as surely as any who have ever fought in a noble cause," Reagan said of Vietnam veterans, acknowledging both their valor and the painful reception many encountered upon returning home.
The ceremony took place during what is now the 50th anniversary of American withdrawal from Vietnam, adding historical significance to an already profound occasion. Through moving anecdotes and thoughtful reflection, Reagan helped Americans separate politics from service, allowing the nation to finally say "thank you" to an entire generation of veterans. His closing invocation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address—reminding us to take "increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion"—serves as a timeless reminder of the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Join us for this special Mojo Moment as we reflect on this pivotal speech, the sacred tradition of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and how a single ceremony helped heal a nation's wounds. Have you visited Arlington National Cemetery or experienced a moment that bridged historical divides? Share your reflections in the comments and subscribe for more episodes that bring history's wisdom into our present challenges.
Welcome to the Theory to Action podcast, where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time, to help you take action immediately and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life. Now here's your host, David Kaiser flourishing life.
Speaker 2:Now here's your host, David Kaiser. Hello, I am David, and welcome back to a special Mojo moment. We talk often in this podcast about Mojo minutes, but this is a special Mojo moment, a special moment for the country, indeed, for back in 1984, one of our greatest presidents, our 40th president of the United States, spoke at a Memorial Day celebration at Arlington Cemetery that year. Let's pick up his words to understand the importance of this special moment. Go on to the speech May 28, 1984.
Speaker 2:My fellow Americans, memorial Day is a day of ceremonies and speeches Throughout America. Today we honor the dead of our wars. We recall their valor and their sacrifices. We remember they gave their lives so that others might live. We're also gathered here for a special event the National Funeral for an Unknown Soldier who will today join the heroes of three other wars. When he spoke at a ceremony at Gettysburg in 1863, president Lincoln reminded us that, through their deeds, the dead had spoken more eloquently for themselves than any of the living ever could and that we living could only honor them by rededicating ourselves to the cause for which they so willingly gave a last full measure of devotion. Well, this is especially so today, for in our minds and hearts is the memory of Vietnam and all that the conflict meant for those who sacrificed on the field of battle and for their loved ones who suffered here at home. Those words began the speech for the president that day, and it was a special speech. It was a special day. It was a special moment for the country. You see, reagan's 1984 speech was unlike any other president's normal Memorial Day celebrations. This speech came just nine years after the Vietnam War's end, during a time when the nation was still grappling with its legacy. The president used this occasion to honor Vietnam veterans and award the Congressional Medal of Honor to an unknown soldier from that conflict Our nation's highest honor. The speeches focus on reconciliation and recognition of Vietnam veterans. Sacrifices marked a turning point in public memory, making it a landmark in Memorial day speeches.
Speaker 2:Now, you might not know, but the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery was established on November 11, 1921, when an unidentified American soldier from World War I was interred during the ceremony. This followed the selection and the repatriation of remains from France, authorized by Congress on March 4, 1921, to honor the unidentified fallen of the war. The monument itself, designed by Thomas Hudson Jones and Lorimer Rich, was completed in 1932, but the initial internment in 1921 marked the official start of the tomb's legacy. Marked the official start of the tomb's legacy Now. Subsequent unknowns from other wars World War II and the Korean War were added in 1958, and a Vietnam veteran war unknown was interred on this date, may 28, 1984. Now the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery began being guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on April 6, 1948, when the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, assumed continuous guard duty. Now I had lived in Washington DC for over three years andI highly recommend this place, highly recommend it to visit. It's a historic place, it's a reverent place. Now let's return to Reagan's words once more.
Speaker 2:Not long ago, when a memorial was dedicated here in Washington to our Vietnam veterans, the events surrounding that dedication were a stirring reminder of America's resilience, of how our nation could learn and grow and transcend the tragedies of the past. During the dedication ceremonies, the rolls of those who died and are still missing were read for three days in a candlelight ceremony at the National Cathedral. And the veterans of Vietnam, who were never welcomed home with speeches and bans, but who were never defeated in battle and were heroes as surely as any who have ever fought in a noble cause, staged their own parade on Constitution Avenue as America watched them summon wheelchairs, all of them proud. There was a feeling that this nation, that as a nation we were coming together again and that we had at long last welcomed the boys home. A lot of healing went on, said one combat veteran who helped organize support for the memorial. And then there was this newspaper account that appeared after the ceremonies. I'd like to read it to you, quote yesterday crowds returned to the memorial. Them was Herbie Pettit, a machinist and former Marine from New Orleans. Last night, he said, standing near the wall, I went out to dinner with some other ex-Marines. There was also a group of college students in the restaurant. We started to talk to each other and before we left they stood up and cheered us the whole week. Pettit said his eyes red. It was worth it just for that.
Speaker 2:You see, in 1984, our country as a whole began to look upon men and women in uniform differently. Our country removed the politics from the service member and gone were the days of verbally abusing our military armed forces. The country had grown up a little bit, became a little wiser. Now you might not know too, this is the 50th anniversary of the US leaving the Vietnam War Now over on my sub stack. I published a written piece reflecting on the Vietnam War 50 years later and its leadership lessons. But for today, leadership lessons. But for today, we will honor the fallen because this is their special day. It's a special day for them, it's a special moment for the country and for the families.
Speaker 2:Let us return to Reagan's words once more on Memorial Day 1984. The unknown soldier who has returned to us today and whom we lay to rest is symbolic of all of our missing sons, and we will present him with the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration that we can bestow. About him, we may well wonder, as others have. As a child, did he play on some street in a great American city, or did he work beside his father on a farm out in America's heartland? Did he marry? Did he have children? Did he look expectantly to return to a bride? We'll never know the answers to these questions about his life. We do know, though, why he died he saw the horrors of war, but bravely faced them, certain his own cause and his country's cause was a noble one, that he was fighting for human dignity, for free men everywhere. Today we pause to embrace him and all who served us so well in a war whose end offered no parades, no flags and so little thanks. We can be worthy of the values and the ideals for which our sons sacrificed, worthy of their courage in the face of a fear that few of us will ever experience, by honoring their commitment and devotion to duty and country.
Speaker 2:Many veterans of Vietnam still served in the armed forces. They work in our offices, in our farms, in our factories. Most have kept their experiences private, but most have been strengthened by their call to duty. A grateful nation opens her heart today in gratitude for their sacrifice, for their courage and for their noble service. Let us, if we must debate the lessons learned at some other time, today we simply say with pride Thank you, dear son. May God cradle you in his loving arms. We present to you our nation's highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor for service, above and beyond the call of duty and action with the enemy during the Vietnam era. Reagan then placed the Congressional Medal of Honor close to the unknown's casket, which was draped in the American flag, which was draped in the American flag.
Speaker 2:I think it only appropriate to end this podcast with Lincoln's words that Reagan spoke about earlier at the national dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg's battlefield. Go on to that speech. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work for which they who fought here have thus so nobly, thus far, so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain and that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.
Speaker 1:Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoyed this Theory to Action podcast. Be sure to check out our show page at team mojo academycom, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast, as well as other great resources. Until next time, keep getting your mojo on. Thank you.