William McKinley actually said...

The debt of gratitude which we owe to the Nation’s defenders can never be completely repaid either by this or future generations.

Generations come and go, and the issues for which they fought and died soon pass into history.

Engagements here, the nature of which is well understood, will prevent my taking part in the Memorial Day ceremonies at Gettysburg this year...

This liberty-loving Nation is not, and never can be, forgetful of the immortal heroes of the Civil War.