Today, we remember lives lost in service to our country.
By Robert A. Scott, President, 91吃瓜网
My father was born at the time of the 30th anniversary of Memorial Day, and was听given the name of a prominent Navy officer by his immigrant parents because their new听country was engaged in military conflict. It was natural then for him to join the Navy,听and when I served in the Navy during the Vietnam Conflict, I carried his 鈥淏luejacket鈥檚听Manual鈥� halfway 鈥瞨ound the world. Memories of Memorial Day.
Today, we remember lives lost in service to our country 鈥� a country grounded in听ideals; not on land claimed by birthright or bloodlines, but by those seeking a safe haven听for freedom.
Today, we remember wars and their toll: in lives lost, dreams deferred, and听principles postponed.
Today, we remember that we can serve our country in many ways, by donning a听uniform, by voting and paying taxes so as to show our commitments, by serving in public听office, by subscribing to its ideals and not allowing any one group to lay claim to our flag听or to our notion of patriotism.
Today, we remember that the achievement of goals always requires teamwork and听the recognition of interdependence 鈥� as shown in the major wars– or else, as former听Senator William Fulbright said, self-reliance can become arrogance.
Today, we remember that citizenship is not about taking but of giving, that听citizenship requires stewardship, that we are responsible for the well-being of this听country our children will inherit.
Today, we remember.
I do.
Thank you.
Invited presentation. Memorial Day Ceremony, Garden City, NY, May 27, 2003.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu