HoweEnterprise.com
November 18, 2019
Veterans Day Assembly
Hometown boy Ryan Carney (far left) was one of the youngest veterans honored at the assembly. (Continued from page 5)
he healed up and marched on to the Philippines. My father, who I saw his funny green uniform in the back of his closet while growing up, which I later learned defined him as an Infantry Captain during Vietnam. I never saw my dad so proud than the day I graduated from the Marine Corps Basic Training in Parris Island. In 43 years of my life, I never saw my dad cry until the day I shipped out for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I know from my own family
tradition how much a family values freedom and liberty and the opportunity this country offers. Most all veterans do. They are the ones standing the tallest when the National Anthem is played. And they are not embarrassed by it. Veterans don’t talk much about their sacrifices. They took an oath and they did their duty and were willing to give the last full measure required. One thing I do notice about veterans is that they truly love this country and value our liberties. If necessary, more than life itself. People willing to put their life on the line for your
freedom deserve our respect and thanks. And that ladies and gentlemen is why we need veterans, should honor veterans, and thank them on this day every year. We must heed the words of our first Commander in Chief, General George Washington who said in 1798, ‘“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war – no matter how justified – shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.’ Most of you will never serve in the military, but I ask you to look up on our veterans with pride and honor their commitment to our country. Who are they, you may ask? Well, it could be the funny old guy in the VFW hat who took two bullets in Korea dragging a fellow wounded Marine to safety. It could be that gray-haired old lady with a bad leg who spent 18
6 hours a day for a year on her feet as a Chief Surgical Nurse in a M.A.S.H. Unit in Vietnam. The same lady who cries herself to sleep most nights from the sheer horror she witnessed daily. It could be that young fellow back from Afghanistan who suffers from flashbacks from the firefights he was engaged in. It could be that coach on the sidelines or that algebra teacher the hallway during passing period. I ask you to honor our veterans and their commitment to our freedom. And thank God in your prayers that we have them to protect our way of life. Yesterday was November 10. The 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Our motto is Semper Fidelis – always faithful—a motto I live by and a motto that most veterans believe in.
Howe Athletic Director Bill Jehling during his speech.
