Sergeant Trujillo, you and your fellow service men and women not only saved innocent lives; you set a nation free.  You inspire us as a force for freedom, not for despotism; and, yes, for peace, not conquest.  God bless you.

And then there are unsung heroes:  single parents, couples, church and civic volunteers.  Their hearts carry without complaint the pains of family and community problems.  They soothe our sorrow, heal our wounds, calm our fears, and share our joy.

A person like Father Ritter is always there.  His Covenant House programs in New York and Houston provide shelter and help to thousands of frightened and abused children each year.  The same is true of Dr. Charles Carson.  Paralyzed in a plane crash, he still believed nothing is impossible.  Today in Minnesota, he works 80 hours a week without pay, helping pioneer the field of computer-controlled walking.  He has given hope to 500,000 paralyzed Americans that some day they may walk again.

How can we not believe in the greatness of America?  How can we not do what is right and needed to preserve this last best hope of man on Earth?  After all our struggles to restore America, to revive confidence in our country, hope for our future, after all our hard-won victories earned through the patience and courage of every citizen, we cannot, must not, and will not turn back.  We will finish our job.  How could we do less?  We’re Americans.

Carl Sandburg said, “I see America not in the setting sun of a black night of despair...  I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun fresh from the burning, creative hand of God...  I see great days ahead for men and women of will and vision.”

I’ve never felt more strongly that America’s best days and democracy’s best days lie ahead.  We’re a powerful force for good.  With faith and courage, we can perform great deeds and take freedom’s next step.  And we will.  We will carry on the tradition of a good and worthy people who have brought light where there was darkness, warmth where there was cold, medicine where there was disease, food where there was hunger, and peace where there was only bloodshed.

Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time, that in our time we did everything that could be done.  We finished the race; we kept them free; we kept the faith.

Thank you very much.  God bless you, and God bless America.

Note:  The President spoke at 9:02 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Capitol.  He was introduced by Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The address was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television.

***

State of the Union Address
Ronald Reagan
February 6, 1985

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Congress, honored guests, and fellow citizens: 

I come before you to report on the state of our Union, and I’m pleased to report that after 4 years of united effort, the American people have brought forth a nation renewed, stronger, freer, and more secure than before.