Tonight, I want to speak to the people of the Soviet Union, to tell them it’s true that our governments have had serious differences, but our sons and daughters have never fought each other in war.  And if we Americans have our way, they never will.

People of the Soviet Union, there is only one sane policy, for your country and mine, to preserve our civilization in this modern age:  A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.  The only value in our two nations possessing nuclear weapons is to make sure they will never be used.  But then would it not be better to do away with them entirely?

People of the Soviet, President Dwight Eisenhower, who fought by your side in World War II, said the essential struggle “is not merely man against man or nation against nation.  It is man against war.”  Americans are people of peace.  If your government wants peace, there will be peace.  We can come together in faith and friendship to build a safer and far better world for our children and our children’s children.  And the whole world will rejoice.  That is my message to you.

Some days when life seems hard and we reach out for values to sustain us or a friend to help us, we find a person who reminds us what it means to be Americans.

Sergeant Stephen Trujillo, a medic in the 2d Ranger Battalion, 75th Infantry, was in the first helicopter to land at the compound held by Cuban forces in Grenada.  He saw three other helicopters crash.  Despite the imminent explosion of the burning aircraft, he never hesitated.  He ran across 25 yards of open terrain through enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers.  He directed two other medics, administered first aid, and returned again and again to the crash site to carry his wounded friends to safety.

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.