The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than 
the courage of a final moment. But it is no less a magnificent 
mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does what he must in 
spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers
and pressures and that is the basis of all human morality.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that 
great revolution. Let the word go forth from this time
and place to friend and foe alike that the torch has been 
passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, 
tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, 
proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or 
permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this 
nation has always been committed and to which we are committed 
today at home and around the world.