NEWS AND OPINION:

Some recent history to consider: Here is what former President Trump said on May 25, 2020 — Memorial Day that year — during an appearance at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore.

“From generation to generation, heroes like these have poured out their blood and sweat and heart and tears for our country. Because of them, America is strong and safe and mighty and free. Because of them, two centuries on, the Star Spangled Banner still proudly waves,” Mr. Trump said.

“For as long as our flag flies in the sky above, the names of these fallen warriors will be woven into its threads. For as long as we have citizens willing to follow their example, to carry on their burden, to continue their legacy, then America’s cause will never fail and American freedom will never, ever die,” he continued.

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“Today, we honor the heroes we have lost. We pray for the loved ones they left behind. And with God as our witness, we solemnly vow to protect, preserve, and cherish this land they gave their last breath to defend and to defend so proudly. God bless our military. God bless the memory of the fallen. God bless our Gold Star families. And God bless America,” Mr. Trump said.

REAGAN ON MEMORIAL DAY, 1982

Here is what former President Reagan said on May 31, 1982 — Memorial Day that year — during an appearance at Arlington National Cemetery.

“One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground, and I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and Stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines, and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American hero and, in my lifetime, the heroes of World War I, the Doughboys, the GI’s of World War II or Korea or Vietnam. They span several generations of young Americans, all different and yet all alike, like the markers above their resting places, all alike in a truly meaningful way,” the 40th president said.

“Winston Churchill said of those he knew in World War II they seemed to be the only young men who could laugh and fight at the same time. A great general in that war called them our secret weapon, ‘just the best darn kids in the world.’ Each died for a cause he considered more important than his own life. Well, they didn’t volunteer to die; they volunteered to defend values for which men have always been willing to die if need be, the values which make up what we call civilization. And how they must have wished, in all the ugliness that war brings, that no other generation of young men to follow would have to undergo that same experience,” Reagan said.

“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will ever have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice. That is what we must all ask,” Reagan said.

A QUESTION FROM ‘DEEP WOODS’

Inside the Beltway has heard from our old friend “Deep Woods,” a thoughtful guy who indeed lives in the deep woods of New England and pays close attention to national political trends.

“Greetings from the north country,” Mr. Woods said in a brief written note, advising that fishing is great and the weather’s pretty good.

He has a concern at the moment, however, after hearing news reports about a certain situation that an Associated Press account described this way: “An American arrested in the Caribbean for illegally carrying ammunition received a suspended sentence Friday, according to a spokesperson for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and his spokesman said he was flying back to the United States.”

“Mr. Woods” said that he had “been tracking the story of the fellow detained in Turks and Caicos for trying to leave with a few rounds of ammunition discovered when he was leaving. I’m glad it has been resolved, but it begs the question, ‘How did he get it out of the U.S.’ Aren’t we all screened and luggage checked on the way into the U.S. airport? We should be asking questions of the Transportation Security Administration. Just saying.”

A NEW COALITION

Former President Donald Trump continues to bolster his bid for the White House — expanding his reelection push with “Veterans and Military Families for Trump,” a new campaign outreach launched Sunday. Find the new outreach at veterans.donaldjtrump.com.

It has over 175 endorsements from “decorated veterans, Gold Star families, and heroes who love our country,” according to a written mission statement.

“Veterans and Military Families for Trump are unified around their support for President Trump as a leader fighting to ensure that the sacrifices of our veterans and their families are honored, and not forgotten. This coalition is an incredible opportunity for our great heroes and their families to help Donald J. Trump finish the job he began during his first term as our nation’s commander-in-chief, securing the blessings of freedom for those who selflessly risked their lives to defend it, the statement said.

A written statement from Mr. Trump himself was also included in the outreach.

“To every veteran, you are America’s greatest living heroes, and we will cherish you now, always, and forever,” he said.

POLL DU JOUR

• 38% of U.S. adults say economic concerns, such as jobs, inflation and taxes, are the most important issues facing the U.S.

• 17% cite immigration as the most important issue.

• 13% cite “threats to democracy.”

• 6% cite health care.

• 6% cite crime.

• 6% cite access to abortion.

• 5% cite housing affordability.

• 4% cite education.

• 4% cite “something else.”

SOURCE: An Emerson College poll of 1,100 registered U.S. voters conducted by telephone and an online panel of voters May 21-23.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com and have a good Memorial Day.