John Block Reports from Washington

When I was a little boy, all the news was about The War -- World War II. Now today 50 years later we unveil the World War II memorial honoring not only the service men that fought in that war but everyone of that generation that pulled together to win that war.

On this memorial week as we continue to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, let us salute our brave military men and women that stand guard to protect us. I would like to read you some lines from a speech delivered to the cadets of West Point more than 40 years ago by General Douglas MacArthur.

"Duty," "honor," "country" -those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.

"The critics will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. They will try to downgrade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule."

"But the words -- duty, honor, country, build. They build your basic character. They mold you for your future role as the custodians of the nation's defense. They make you strong enough to know when you are weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are afraid. They teach you to be proud and unbending in honest failure, but humble and gentle in success."

"Others will debate the controversial issues, which divide men's minds. But serene, calm, aloof, you stand as the Nation's war guardians, as if lifeguards from the raging tides of international conflict, as its gladiators in the arena of battle. For a century and a half you have defended, guarded and protected its hallowed traditions of liberty and freedom, of right and justice. "Your guidepost stands out like a tenfold beacon in the night: Duty, honor, country." General Douglas MacArthur speaking to West Point corps of cadets 42 years ago.

Until next week, I am John Block from Washington.