Kerry Remembers Greatest Generation During Radio Address

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Kerry Remembers Greatest Generation During Radio Address

Says It is Time to Build an America that is Respected in the World

May 29, 2004
Kerry Campaign Press Release

Washington, DC -- As Americans gather in Washington, DC to dedicate the World War II Memorial today, Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry said Saturday that we can honor the legacy of the Greatest Generation by building an America that is once again respected in the world. Kerry, giving the Democratic Radio Address to the nation, recalled the heroic service of his father and countless other veterans like Joseph Lesniewski from Erie, PA, who will join Kerry at the World War II Memorial dedication. Kerry said we must draw on their legacy to once again build and lead a global alliance for freedom against fear because the men and women in our military are even more powerful when they have our allies by their side."America has always drawn its power not only from the might of its weapons, but from the trust and respect of nations around the globe," Kerry said. "From the World Wars to the Cold War and beyond, American-led alliances have been a driving force in the survival of freedom."

He stressed that the new threats we face today demand global alliances - to share intelligence, to track down terrorists and to keep the world's deadliest weapons out of the hands of terrorists.

"We must rebuild alliances that have been shredded - because an America respected in the world will be an America stronger in the world - and safer here at home," Kerry said. "We are facing an enemy that will stop at nothing. It's time to put away pride and stubbornness. It's time to answer the call to greatness and lead the world. It's time to let America be America again."

Later today, "Easy Company" Veteran Joseph Lesniewski will accompany Kerry to the World War II Memorial dedication ceremony. Lesniewski is one of the 18 living paratroopers from the Easy Company 101st Airborne Division - one of the Band of Brothers who on D-Day parachuted into enemy territory behind Normandy beachhead.

While we learn and gain inspiration from Lesniewski and veterans like him across the country like this weekend, Kerry said we must also honor their service by never neglecting our veterans and never forgetting our values.

"It calls on us now, as it once called on Joe, to do all that we must to defend our country," Kerry said. "And it calls on us, as it has every President, from Franklin Roosevelt on, not to go it alone, but to build and lead a global alliance for freedom and against fear. We honor the legacy of the greatest generation by making respect for our country and the world the great legacy of our generation."

Biography of Joseph Lesniewski

Joseph Lesniewski, one of the original 'Band of Brothers' from the Easy company, the 101st Airborne Division will accompany John Kerry to the opening of the World War II Memorial. Lesniewski, a member of the Airborne, was part of Company E a group of soldiers who jumped at the invasion of Normandy.

Joseph was born in Erie, Aug. 29, 1920, the son of Polish immigrants: Joseph and Rose Ciechacka Lesniewski. He enlisted in the Army Oct. 17, 1942 and volunteered for the Army Air Force. After training in California, he applied for Cadet school to become a pilot. "I passed the test and was approved for Cadet School," he said. "I wanted to go to school to fly planes." The Cadet school lost his paperwork and Joseph, tired of waiting, decided to join the Airborne. He was trained by the OSS since he knew Polish and was part of the heroic and immortalized 506th Regiment depicted in Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers. Joseph was part of a "jump" into enemy territory on D-Day, during the invasion of Normandy.

For his bravery in WWII, Lesniewski was presented medals including the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Combat Parachutists Badge with two stars, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster (multiple wounds), the U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal, the European Campaign Medal with four stars and the invasion arrow, the American Campaign Medal, the Medal of Occupation with Germany clasp, the World War II Victory Medal, the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, the Belgian Fourragerrie and the World War II lapel pin.

He first met with John Kerry at an airport greet in Eerie, PA on May 10, 2004. According to the other veterans on site, 'John Kerry's jaw dropped' when he met Joseph. He became part of PA Veterans for Kerry through his VFW Post 470 in Erie, PA.

- www.johnkerry.com