The Shell Game of Corrupted Government Exposed
Remarks by President Trump and the First Lady in Memorial Day Address to Troops Aboard the USS Wasp
STAFF SERGEANT PATTERSON: Well, it's such an honor and a privilege to be here with you, Mr. President. And I definitely didn't expect this. And it's an honor and privilege to serve with my fellow sailors and Marines and drive our mission forward that General Smith and the Commodore and Colonel Brodie has kind of laid out for us. And we know why we're here and we know what we - who we need to egress. Because if we don't, we let ourselves just sleep on it for even a second, then we won't be the ultimate power in the world.
So thank you very much and thank all of you. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Good job, Daniel. He'll be running for political office within two weeks. Look. (Laughter.) Daniel, great. Thank you very much. Great job.
Every day, the men and women of the Seventh Fleet live out their motto: "Ready Power for Peace."
You face down terrorism and render aid in the wake of devastating natural disasters. And I've seen what you do. Incredible.
You proudly patrol the Yellow Sea, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. You defend your homeland and our allies against missile attack with our most advanced radar and weapons systems in the world. We have equipment, missiles, rockets, tanks, planes, ships. Nobody in the entire world can build them like we do. Nobody. It's not even close. You know that better than anybody.
Here in the Pacific and around the globe, we want our armed forces to have the tools, resources, and equipment you need and that you deserve.
That's why we have given our Seventh Fleet new, American-made, F-35B Marine fighter aircraft. Very stealthy. You know that, right? The enemy has a problem with it. You know what the problem is? They can't see it. (Laughter.) Other than that, it's a fair fight. (Laughter.) Just like my one, and this one right here. That just came out. Beautiful.
Last year, USS Wasp made history when it became the very first ship to deploy these cutting-edge aircraft. I want to congratulate you all. And you're getting a lot of brand new ones. We're getting brand new equipment.
You know, when I came two and a half years ago, we had planes that were so old they didn't make parts for them anymore. You don't have that anymore. You don't have that. We're getting all new beautiful equipment. We need it. We need it. Peace through strength, right?
In April, USS Wasp also became the first ship to deploy F-35Bs in the Balikatan Naval exercise with the Philippines and with Australia.
Later this year, the USS Wasp returns home. We will be sending the men and women of the Seventh Fleet our most formidable amphibious assault ship: USS America.
USS America will soon be sailing these Pacific waters, and I am pleased to say that she will also be carrying the most beautiful F-35Bs on her deck. Brand new. Brand new.
My administration is committed to ensuring that America's military strength forever remains second to none.
Over the past two years, we have made historic investments in our military with $700 billion. Right, General? That's billions, right? No more millions. Not when it comes to our military. It's a little bit scary. With a "B." Scary. You know, it used to be millions; now it's billions. And that's the way it has to be, because we have to protect our country and we have to protect our allies.
And last year, $716 billion. So, this year, we're going up. And in a very short period of time, our military will be completely rebuilt and stronger, bigger, better than ever before. Won't even be close. And we're very close. And when I took over, we were very depleted. And you people knew that better than anybody. We were depleted. It's the only word I can use to describe it. It was not a good situation. But we're going to be very close. Right now, we're very close. Very shortly, we're going to be at a level the likes of which we've never been before.
This includes money for five new guided-missile destroyers, four new nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines. That's the one you want? Okay. We got them. We've got four of them. You only wanted one; we got you four. And 163 brand new F-35 Joint Strike fighter jets.
As Prime Minister Abe and I discussed yesterday, Japan also plans to equip the Japanese Self-Defense Forces with 105 F-35 aircraft, which would make Japan's F-35 fleet the largest of any U.S. ally. The U.S.-Japan alliance has never been stronger. The relationship between your President and the Prime Minister of Japan - he's a great gentleman; great man - is a fantastic one.
This remarkable port is the only one in the world where we're - American naval fleet and an allied naval fleet, headquartered side-by-side - a testament to the ironclad partnership between U.S. and Japanese forces.
Together, you are advancing freedom on the high seas, shielding our nation from dangerous weapons, and preserving the peace that generations of valiant American warriors gave their lives to secure.
One of those intrepid Americans was Private First Class John Schaeffer. Born and raised in Tower City, Pennsylvania, Private Schaeffer was a member of a group of U.S. Army Special Forces who fought in the Pacific during World War II under the legendary command of General Frank Merrill. Good General? Good General? Pretty good, right? That's what they say. Are you better? Huh? (Laughs.) Just be as good.
Although Private Schaeffer sadly perished in the Battle of Burma, his deep love of country endures in someone very special with us today, his grandnephew, Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Schaeffer. Where's Daniel? Should I get him up? (Applause.) And I want to thank you very much for the incredible job you've done. We picked a couple of people that are outstanding. Please say a couple of words.
SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER SCHAEFFER: Sure.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Please.
SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER SCHAEFFER: Thank you, Mr. President. This is amazing to have recognized my family. But I know a lot of others have families that served as well.
Memorial Day is that time where we honor our fellow Americans who pay the ultimate sacrifice. So, you know, thank you for all my shipmates and fellow Marines that are out here today, it's a great day. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Two great jobs. And that's not easy. They don't know they're coming up. You didn't know, did you, huh? You had no idea. And you both did it. They didn't choke. We don't like chokers, do we? We don't like chokers. We don't like chokers.
On this Memorial Day evening in the United States, Americans are concluding a sacred day of remembrance, reflection, and prayer. Citizens all across the country came together to decorate the graves of our fallen heroes and to honor their selfless acts of courage.
The citizens of our country are incredible. They love our country, and they love you. They love you. You have no idea how much they love you.
Down through history, from America's earliest days, fearless Americans have said goodbye to their loved ones, gone off to war, and stared down our enemies, knowing that they may never, ever return. Memorial Day links every grateful American heart in eternal tribute to those brave souls who gave their last breath for our nation, from Concord to Gettysburg, from Midway to Mosul.
Today, the unbreakable resolve of these heroes lives on in every American who wears our great uniform. Each day that you serve on these rolling but beautiful seas, you honor their sacrifice, you carry on their righteous duty, and you continue their noble legacy.
Our republic endures because of brave men and women who are willing to lay down their lives to defend us all. Our freedom is earned through the blood, and sweat, and toil, and sacrifice of great American patriots just like you.
As we honor America's fallen warriors, we pledge our unwavering devotion to all of those who serve our nation in uniform.
Throughout this region - from Yokosuka, to Guam, to Singapore, to Okinawa, to Busan - the Seventh Fleet is holding the line and defending the peace.
Among the sailors and Marines the USS WASP, you serve as warfare officers, naval aviators, Marine riflemen, air-crewmen, corpsmen, machinist mates, avionics tech -
AUDIENCE: Ooh!
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Go ahead. You can do it. (Laughter.) Ordnance technicians. (Applause.) Okay. (Laughter.) Where are the avionics guys? (Applause.) And gals. Huh? Right there? Good. That's complicated business, right? Got to be pretty good. Cooks, fire control men and women, intelligence specialists.
You are the strongest, toughest, best, and bravest. Do you agree with that?
AUDIENCE: Yeah!
PRESIDENT TRUMP: You better. You are the ones keep going and striving, and keeping America safe, and strong, and proud, and free.
You defend our freedom, our families, and you defend our great American flag. (Applause.)
You show the world the force of American might and American heart. And you prove, across these perilous waters and far beyond, that there is no match on Earth for the awesome power and glory of the American Navy and the United States Marines. (Applause.)
To the men and women of America's Seventh Fleet: The First Lady and I have been deeply honored to be with you all today. On behalf of all Americans, we thank you, we salute you, we honor you, we cherish you, and we stand with you now and forever.
Thank you to the proud sailors and Marines of USS Wasp. (Applause.)
God bless you. God bless our military. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END • 11:55 A.M. JST
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So thank you very much and thank all of you. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Good job, Daniel. He'll be running for political office within two weeks. Look. (Laughter.) Daniel, great. Thank you very much. Great job.
Every day, the men and women of the Seventh Fleet live out their motto: "Ready Power for Peace."
You face down terrorism and render aid in the wake of devastating natural disasters. And I've seen what you do. Incredible.
You proudly patrol the Yellow Sea, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. You defend your homeland and our allies against missile attack with our most advanced radar and weapons systems in the world. We have equipment, missiles, rockets, tanks, planes, ships. Nobody in the entire world can build them like we do. Nobody. It's not even close. You know that better than anybody.
Here in the Pacific and around the globe, we want our armed forces to have the tools, resources, and equipment you need and that you deserve.
That's why we have given our Seventh Fleet new, American-made, F-35B Marine fighter aircraft. Very stealthy. You know that, right? The enemy has a problem with it. You know what the problem is? They can't see it. (Laughter.) Other than that, it's a fair fight. (Laughter.) Just like my one, and this one right here. That just came out. Beautiful.
Last year, USS Wasp made history when it became the very first ship to deploy these cutting-edge aircraft. I want to congratulate you all. And you're getting a lot of brand new ones. We're getting brand new equipment.
You know, when I came two and a half years ago, we had planes that were so old they didn't make parts for them anymore. You don't have that anymore. You don't have that. We're getting all new beautiful equipment. We need it. We need it. Peace through strength, right?
In April, USS Wasp also became the first ship to deploy F-35Bs in the Balikatan Naval exercise with the Philippines and with Australia.
Later this year, the USS Wasp returns home. We will be sending the men and women of the Seventh Fleet our most formidable amphibious assault ship: USS America.
USS America will soon be sailing these Pacific waters, and I am pleased to say that she will also be carrying the most beautiful F-35Bs on her deck. Brand new. Brand new.
My administration is committed to ensuring that America's military strength forever remains second to none.
Over the past two years, we have made historic investments in our military with $700 billion. Right, General? That's billions, right? No more millions. Not when it comes to our military. It's a little bit scary. With a "B." Scary. You know, it used to be millions; now it's billions. And that's the way it has to be, because we have to protect our country and we have to protect our allies.
And last year, $716 billion. So, this year, we're going up. And in a very short period of time, our military will be completely rebuilt and stronger, bigger, better than ever before. Won't even be close. And we're very close. And when I took over, we were very depleted. And you people knew that better than anybody. We were depleted. It's the only word I can use to describe it. It was not a good situation. But we're going to be very close. Right now, we're very close. Very shortly, we're going to be at a level the likes of which we've never been before.
This includes money for five new guided-missile destroyers, four new nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines. That's the one you want? Okay. We got them. We've got four of them. You only wanted one; we got you four. And 163 brand new F-35 Joint Strike fighter jets.
As Prime Minister Abe and I discussed yesterday, Japan also plans to equip the Japanese Self-Defense Forces with 105 F-35 aircraft, which would make Japan's F-35 fleet the largest of any U.S. ally. The U.S.-Japan alliance has never been stronger. The relationship between your President and the Prime Minister of Japan - he's a great gentleman; great man - is a fantastic one.
This remarkable port is the only one in the world where we're - American naval fleet and an allied naval fleet, headquartered side-by-side - a testament to the ironclad partnership between U.S. and Japanese forces.
Together, you are advancing freedom on the high seas, shielding our nation from dangerous weapons, and preserving the peace that generations of valiant American warriors gave their lives to secure.
One of those intrepid Americans was Private First Class John Schaeffer. Born and raised in Tower City, Pennsylvania, Private Schaeffer was a member of a group of U.S. Army Special Forces who fought in the Pacific during World War II under the legendary command of General Frank Merrill. Good General? Good General? Pretty good, right? That's what they say. Are you better? Huh? (Laughs.) Just be as good.
Although Private Schaeffer sadly perished in the Battle of Burma, his deep love of country endures in someone very special with us today, his grandnephew, Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Schaeffer. Where's Daniel? Should I get him up? (Applause.) And I want to thank you very much for the incredible job you've done. We picked a couple of people that are outstanding. Please say a couple of words.
SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER SCHAEFFER: Sure.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Please.
SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER SCHAEFFER: Thank you, Mr. President. This is amazing to have recognized my family. But I know a lot of others have families that served as well.
Memorial Day is that time where we honor our fellow Americans who pay the ultimate sacrifice. So, you know, thank you for all my shipmates and fellow Marines that are out here today, it's a great day. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Two great jobs. And that's not easy. They don't know they're coming up. You didn't know, did you, huh? You had no idea. And you both did it. They didn't choke. We don't like chokers, do we? We don't like chokers. We don't like chokers.
On this Memorial Day evening in the United States, Americans are concluding a sacred day of remembrance, reflection, and prayer. Citizens all across the country came together to decorate the graves of our fallen heroes and to honor their selfless acts of courage.
The citizens of our country are incredible. They love our country, and they love you. They love you. You have no idea how much they love you.
Down through history, from America's earliest days, fearless Americans have said goodbye to their loved ones, gone off to war, and stared down our enemies, knowing that they may never, ever return. Memorial Day links every grateful American heart in eternal tribute to those brave souls who gave their last breath for our nation, from Concord to Gettysburg, from Midway to Mosul.
Today, the unbreakable resolve of these heroes lives on in every American who wears our great uniform. Each day that you serve on these rolling but beautiful seas, you honor their sacrifice, you carry on their righteous duty, and you continue their noble legacy.
Our republic endures because of brave men and women who are willing to lay down their lives to defend us all. Our freedom is earned through the blood, and sweat, and toil, and sacrifice of great American patriots just like you.
As we honor America's fallen warriors, we pledge our unwavering devotion to all of those who serve our nation in uniform.
Throughout this region - from Yokosuka, to Guam, to Singapore, to Okinawa, to Busan - the Seventh Fleet is holding the line and defending the peace.
Among the sailors and Marines the USS WASP, you serve as warfare officers, naval aviators, Marine riflemen, air-crewmen, corpsmen, machinist mates, avionics tech -
AUDIENCE: Ooh!
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Go ahead. You can do it. (Laughter.) Ordnance technicians. (Applause.) Okay. (Laughter.) Where are the avionics guys? (Applause.) And gals. Huh? Right there? Good. That's complicated business, right? Got to be pretty good. Cooks, fire control men and women, intelligence specialists.
You are the strongest, toughest, best, and bravest. Do you agree with that?
AUDIENCE: Yeah!
PRESIDENT TRUMP: You better. You are the ones keep going and striving, and keeping America safe, and strong, and proud, and free.
You defend our freedom, our families, and you defend our great American flag. (Applause.)
You show the world the force of American might and American heart. And you prove, across these perilous waters and far beyond, that there is no match on Earth for the awesome power and glory of the American Navy and the United States Marines. (Applause.)
To the men and women of America's Seventh Fleet: The First Lady and I have been deeply honored to be with you all today. On behalf of all Americans, we thank you, we salute you, we honor you, we cherish you, and we stand with you now and forever.
Thank you to the proud sailors and Marines of USS Wasp. (Applause.)
God bless you. God bless our military. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
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