Times have certainly changed. Modern
technology has eased the way in which our nation conducts
business and the way our lives have been enriched by the
blessings of a free and prosperous nation. In generations past,
those men who fought to “form a more perfect union” believed in
the ideals of a free people and a prosperous nation. Those
Americans fighting in the trenches of France believed with a
fervent heart that Freedom belongs to each man and tongue as
well. Those in the Ardennes and on Guadalcanal knew that nothing
is more important than preserving Liberty and defeating
oppression. And those who fought in Korea, Vietnam and Desert
storm, realized the threats that existed yesterday will be
prevalent tomorrow as well. And all understood, as do our
Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, that nothing is
more precious than preserving Freedom today and ensuring the
hope of Liberty for tomorrow.
Our Nations Veterans have come from all
walks of life and backgrounds. When they answered the call to
service; some were immigrants, some were farmers, and many were
just your ordinary boys, who, by the events set before them,
were turned into extraordinary men. They came from New York to
Chicago and Boston to San Diego. Our Nation is the better
because of them.
In today's day and age, it is increasingly
rare to find volunteers who are willing to temporarily give up
comforts or careers, for a diet of “beans and bullets”. I am
reminded of greatness by political leaders and all those who put
aside those comforts to serve. And by doing so, they became
heroes.
Back then they weren't called politicians,
they were called servants – and for good reason. Presidents
Eisenhower, Nixon, George H. W. Bush, Senators Bob Dole, John
McCain and California's favorite son, Ronald Reagan, showed the
light of Liberty and the laurels of service.
Many have asked me lately “How can I honor
those who have served?” There are many simple ways to give
honor. On Memorial and Veterans Day, you can honor a Veteran
whom you know by simply taking a minute to make a phone call,
and just say “thank you for your service.” You could volunteer
to place a few Flags on a Veteran's grave. You could take a few
moments to visit a Veteran in one of our many VA hospitals
across the Nation. And In doing so, you'll bring tears to their
eyes and joy to their heart.
And the most important thing we can do
before we shop for the latest sale item in the mall, is to place
that grand old Flag on our front porch as we say a prayer for
our Veterans. The Flag that conveys the dreams, Ideals and hopes
of those who have died and those still preserving Freedom and
the blessings of Liberty.
So on this day of remembrance and
thanksgiving, I am thankful for those sacrifices by my
grandfather in Normandy whom I have never met. I am reminded of
freedom, by a German Jewish immigrant named “Dorothy”; with
serial numbers engraved on her arm and with a beautiful smile I
shall never forget.
I am in awe of the power of freedom in every
heart and every tongue, to instill hope not just for Americans,
but for the world. And may we all point to Liberty's Light as
she shines upon the path of those who yearn for Freedom and for
those who reach for her. |
