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eternal god, we pause in this moment from all attempt to distract our minds toward our sense of purpose to give you and the proper tribute to one whose life the service and acts of selfless sacrifice inspire us to appreciate what matters. in calling for a young man from georgia to take his place in history, you once again revealed to us that the uncommon valor of colonel ralph puckett, jr. was a common virtue shared by so many in that greatest of generations. as we honor then first lieutenant pockets axa gallantry and, that distinguish them on hill 205, may we also take note of the humble leadership and devotion to duty he displayed throughout his lifetime. in this ceremony where we lay to rest a man who would not rest from living every day with presence and purpose, who made a

lifetime of sharing an equal dedication to this country, inspiring countless people with this doubtless will, quicken within us not just admiration but aspiration. not just gratitude but grid to live our part in upholding colonel puckett's legacy. in this, may we continue to salute this heroes service and give enduring honor for his sacrifice. in the strength name we pray, amen. >> be seated, everyone.

dear god, don't let me get a bunch of good guys killed. that's how the man we honor today, a well-trained professional soldier greeted the task before him as he assume the command of the eighth army ranger i i can ranger companyn 1950. with humility, with clear eyes about the horrors of war. by november of that year, the popular assessment of the conflict on the korean peninsula was highly optimistic. general macarthur himself thought he could have american gis home for christmas. but for first lieutenant ralph puckett and the 50 rangers under his command, the path home

turned out to be much less rosy. i headed them was a crucible of staggering odds along the front line near the chinese border. u.s. forces in routes sector were outnumbered three to two. but on the hill 205 where his small company would take a stand more than a mile from the nearest reinforcements, they were outnumbered ten to one. it's difficult to imagine a starker embodiment of the motto rangers lead the way. perhaps on november 25, 1950, ralph puckett repeated the simple prayer he offered when he

took command. don't let me get a bunch of good guys killed. perhaps he asked for the strength, the courage and the resolve to discharge his duty and lead his men with honor. with the benefit of hindsight, all of us here today know that prayer was granted. ralph puckett wore our nation's highest military decoration. and in the hearts of generations of soldiers to come, the courage and self-sacrifice that earned that honor will be this great man's eternal legacy. a man who volunteered for command who repeatedly would risk his own life to defend his position, rally his man and ordered them to safety without

him. coup, and words of the prophet isaiah said, here am i, send me. today, the senate joins ralph's wife jeannie, their daughter martha, their son and the entire park at him in an extraordinary american. it is an honor to welcome colonel ralph puckett, jr. to the capital. >> and we want to welcome all of our visitors for this important and solemn occasion. it is a great honor to be a part of it. as speaker faust it is my privilege to show the house profound gratitude for colonel puckett, and all of our korean

war veterans. colonel puckett's model was simple. you said it this way. this is his quote. be there. when the going gets tough, when there's cold weather, rainy weather, somebody shooting at you hot, you are going without food, whatever it is, be there. and on that cold in november 1950, colonel puckett was there for his man and his country. antedate america gets to show our thanks, the last surviving medal of honor recipient from the korean war. and we all get a chance to be there for the colonel and his family, honor his life and sacrifice in these hallowed halls of american democracy. colonel puckett was a u.s. army ranger and a veteran of the korean war and the vietnam wars. for his contributions during his 22 years of service in the army rangers, he received two silver

mac superstars, two bronze stars, five purple hearts, and the two heist the works of military, the distinguished service cross, and the congressional medal of honor. and just a couple much my oldest son will head off to the naval academy, and while colonel puckett went to that other school that we will not mention, it's my hope that my son jack and the next generation of servicemembers and war fighters learn from colonel puckett's example, and aspire the same great virtues of valor, honor, and courage. many soldiers of the korean war of course paid the ultimate sacrifice. 7000 others remain unaccounted for. but a select few like the colonel went above and beyond the call of duty. we are joined today by several like colonel puckett, eight other medal of honor recipients, and in their presence at in

memory of the colonel puckett we ask ourselves, how did these men come to be so great? these heroes are forced by fire, the two great adversity. they were ordinary men. most of them did x ratings because are driven by profound sense of duty, self-sacrifice and faith that the cause was just, that our values and our country were worth defending. and that god would honor the value of their personal commitments here these soldiers of the korean war did the right thing even at great cost to themselves. and there is his example we should all admired admi. so today we join jeannie and martha and thomas an entire puckett, to pay tribute to colonel puckett and all the great men who have gone before us. we pray that the -- those who showed the greatest form of love, those who laid down their life for their friends.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ to dream the impossible dream ♪ to fight the unbeatable foe ♪ ♪ to bear with unbearable sorrow ♪ to run where the brave dare not go ♪ ♪ to write the unavoidable wrong ♪ to love pure and chased from afar ♪ ♪ to try when your arms are too

weary ♪ ♪ to reach the unreachable star ♪ this is my quest to follow that star ♪ ♪ no matter how hopeless, no matter how far ♪ ♪ to fight for the right without question or pause ♪ ♪ to be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause ♪ ♪ and i know if i'll only be true to this glorious quest ♪ ♪ that my heart will lie peaceful and calm ♪ ♪ when i'm laid to my rest a ♪

♪ and the world will be better for this ♪ ♪ that one man, scorned and covered with scars ♪ ♪ still strove with his last ounce of courage ♪ ♪ to reach the unreachable star ♪

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♪ and the joy we share as we tarry there ♪ ♪ none other has ever known ♪ ♪ i come to the garden with him ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ and the joy we share as we tarry there ♪ ♪ none other has ever known ♪

♪ >> if you would, please pray with me. holy lord, as we depart this sacred all of national honor, having commemorated on life well lived and a duty so faithfully discharged, may we be inspired by colonel ralph puckett, jr. is extraordinary and courageous example of character driven leadership, that we would take a firm hold of the baton you know passed from him to us. would that we with the same presence of mind draw the

enemies fire from our compatriots. would that we likewise step up and take charge in such a way that inspires unfailing desire and perseverance to resist the evils that threaten to overtake us? would that we like this humble american fear no one, fear no situation, fear no adversary, knowing that you have called a speech to go forth to serve in our time with the same valor and selflessness? now, grant colonel ralph puckett rest from his labors. and in your faithful servant, grant in the reward of your own well done. in your merciful name we pray, amen.

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an hour and 45 minutes.