Welcome to Memorial Day observances, Memorial Day, 2022. Why are we here? What does this day mean? Fourteen years ago, I was asked to say a few words at this occasion, and I declined. After thinking about it, I realized it was not only my duty but an honor and a privilege. I also wondered what it was that made my heart beat fast in my chest and my eyes tear up when I watched the veterans march by in uniform and heard the sound of the firing squad and the sound of “Taps” … I realized it was patriotism, yes, patriotism, the same emotion that filled the hearts of millions of Americans throughout the ages, the men and women who put their lives on hold to take up arms to defend our country and our freedom.

From the dark days of Valley Forge to General Knox bringing artillery across country to Francis Scott Key watching over the ramparts as the British bombed Ft. McHenry. From Gettysburg to Appomattox and Joshua Chamberlain’s honor answering honor to Colonel Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill to Verdun and General John J. Pershing to Dunkirk and Normandy and General Dwight D. Eisenhower to the cold mountains of Korea and General Douglas MacArthur and the sweltering jungles of Viet Nam and General William Westmoreland to Desert Storm and General Norman Schwarzkopf and General David Petraeus in Afghanistan.

But it is not all about the generals and officers but about the ordinary soldier doing extraordinary deeds, the likes of Desmond Doss, John Basilone, Alvin York, and our own Jay Zeamer, some of the over 3,000 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and our own Harold Webber, a Bronze Star recipient and Wendall Rand who served on the Olympia when she brought back the Unknown Soldier from France.

Southporters did their part as well. Our cemeteries are filled with hundreds of veterans’ graves and this monument honors the 60 soldiers and sailors that served in the war of 1861-1865. Our Memorial Library at Newagen honors the veterans from Southport in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. I know of at least four Southport men who gave their last full measure of devotion. I also know of two who died later as a result of their wounds. We also need to remember the families of those who never returned. They too have paid a price for our freedoms. In the words of Bishop Charles Brent, “help us to keep clear our obligation to all worthy soldiers living and dead, that their sacrifices and their valor fade not from our memory.”

May your hearts swell with pride deep within your breast whenever you see Old Glory paint the breeze. May God bless our veterans, and may God Bless America, land that I love.