Clinton, Dole Honor America’s War Dead

President Clinton honored the nation’s war dead Monday by asking Americans to overcome their divisions and remember that they are joined by common bonds and common purpose.

Clinton spoke at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on a day when his presumptive Republican presidential opponent, Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, traveled to New Jersey for a memorial service and for some campaigning. Dole brings his campaign to California today for a rally in Ontario.

“Today is a time to remember what joins us as one America,� the president said under drizzling, gray skies.

He recalled that the practice of honoring America’s fallen began near the end of the Civil War, when America was a divided nation.

Clinton also asked Americans to remember those who lost their lives in behalf of their nation during peacetime. He spoke of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, who died in a plane crash while on a mission to Bosnia in April; 14 people killed in the crash of two Marine helicopters at Camp Lejeune, N.C., three weeks ago; and Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda, who committed suicide this month.

“They are American heroes too, and we are all in their debt,� he said. “We know our country is strong and great today because of them.�

He paid tribute to Americans serving today in or near Bosnia-Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia and the Central African Republic.

“On this Memorial Day, let us draw inspiration from the spirit that surrounds us, to give those who still defend our freedom and security in the military today the support they need to serve and fulfill their important mission,� he told about 3,000 people at a white marble amphitheater on the cemetery grounds.

Meanwhile, Dole visited Clifton, N.J., where he laid a wreath at Chelsea Memorial Park honoring the city’s combat dead. Rep. Bill Martini (R-N.J.), the local congressman, hailed him as “a war hero . . . who came home and built a better America.� Dole later appeared at a community picnic in Kenilworth, southwest of Newark.

No other holiday in this presidential election year affords Dole the ready-made opportunity to be favorably compared to Clinton, who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War.

Dole pointed to the differences in their service records, commenting: “I can’t change his record, and he can’t change my record.� Dole, who was gravely wounded in Italy during World War II, told reporters: “These are facts. I am proud to have served my country.�

Dole called Memorial Day “a very proud day, a very proud day� for “those who served anywhere under the American flag.�

During the playing of the national anthem, while most people placed a right hand over their heart, Dole struck an erect, military posture, his crippled right arm raised slightly, fist at his navel.

After laying the wreath, Dole snapped a sharp, left-handed salute.

“This is precisely the thing that the American people want to see,� said New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, a fellow Republican. “They want to be able to touch him, see he’s real and get to know him better.�

Whitman walked with Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, along a short parade route in Clifton on the way to the memorial service.

“Today is a day we remember and honor all the great American kids who gave their lives and limbs,� Dole said. He also warned against isolationist tendencies, saying: “Think where we’d be today had America not entered World War II.�

Dole also said he has strong disagreements with Clinton over cuts in defense spending. “We know we have to cut defense,� he told reporters. “But we think he’s going too far the other way.� Dole has called for a missile-based defense system that Clinton has said is impractical and would be a drain on other defense spending.

Dole recalled that he and many other soldiers had trained with broomsticks because of equipment shortages. “That should never happen in America again. We must be prepared,� he said, receiving a rousing response from several hundred people present.

Before returning to Washington, the Doles attended a neighborhood picnic in Kenilworth, a blue-collar community of 7,600. Their hosts were Bobby and Lenore Jeans. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran and policeman; she is an aspiring but as-yet unsuccessful GOP officeholder. Elizabeth Dole brought an apple pie.