Mitt Romney told veterans and military families at a Memorial Day ceremony in San Diego that the world is not a "safe place" and the U.S. military has "two courses to follow." 

"One is to follow the pathway of Europe, to shrink our military smaller and smaller to pay for our social needs. The other is to commit to preserve America as the strongest military in the world, second to none, with no comparable power anywhere in the world. We choose that course," Romney said outside the Veterans Museum & Memorial Center. "We choose that course for America not just so that we can win wars, but so we can prevent wars. Because a strong America is the best deterrent to war that ever has been invented."

Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member and Vietnam War Navy veteran John McCain also spoke at this event. In a campaign release, Romney said he was "honored to be celebrating Memorial Day this year with John McCain. I don’t have to tell John’s story; the world already knows it. But it is what today’s holiday is all about: sacrifice, valor, honor, courage, and love of country." The Senator endorsed Romney for President in January in New Hampshire right before the state's Republican primary. 

The event occurred as both the Romney and Obama campaigns are focusing their efforts on the military vote. According to a recent Gallup daily tracking poll, voters who served in the military strongly support Mitt Romney over President Obama 58 to 34 percent.

The President also attended Memorial Day ceremonies Monday at Arlington National Cemetery where he participated in the annual wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then delivered an address during the remembrance ceremony held in the Memorial Amphitheater. He later spoke at a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Earlier this month, the President and First Lady announced the launch of Veterans and Military Families for Obama. On Memorial Day, the Romney campaign also released a new web video "Thank You: Today Is The Day To Give Thanks & Remember."