|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Veterans Day 2008
Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes and the City of Englewood celebrated Veterans Day at the monument honoring all those who have served our country in war to protect our freedom.
ENGLEWOOD MAYOR MICHAEL WILDES: VETERANS DAY 2008
90 years ago, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns of World War I fell silent -- the Great War in Europe was over -- the "War to end all wars" had finally ended.
Unfortunately, the world and our nation have seen too many conflicts since.Wars are still fought, and lives are still taken. Our sons and daughters have been called to serve again and again -- in Europe, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and today in Afghanistan and Iraq. War still seems the way of the world, to an extent much greater than we had hoped.
But from every clash, whether America wins a decisive victory or exits carrying her wounded, whether she leaves early to save face or comes triumphantly home, one message always emerges loud and clear: her people are the greatest in the world. Conducting themselves at home and overseas with great pride and dignity of character, American soldiers represent all that we hope for in our children. They are trained to fight with honor, only when necessary; built to outmuscle, schooled to outsmart and endowed with the privilege of defending and protecting our great nation and her peace-loving allies throughout the world. Most of all, American soldiers develop a respect and appreciation for humanity to which we all aspire.
Originally called Armistice Day when it was established in 1919 and formally renamed in 1954, Veterans Day, the holiday is a celebration of these great men and women. It is not a day to memorialize the dead. Instead, while we somberly recognize the terrible sacrifice our hero soldiers make in their duty, we exultantly rejoice in their commitment to the values our country ranks chief.
From the fields at Bunker Hill to the mountains of Afghanistan, our brave young men and women have always battled injustice. As young soldiers continue their missions, we stand among those who have completed theirs and returned home. Today, we pay homage to the glory of their service.
America is blessed with a few days each year dedicated to reflection and introspection. This Veterans Day, let us take a lesson from those who have put their country before themselves. Their service carries with it an eternal message for every man, woman and child to think beyond himself, put family and community first, give unselfishly of his energies for another's wellbeing.
As we pray for the safety of those serving now and remember the efforts of those who served before, let us consider their commitment to cause, their love of democracy, their dedication to an idea greater than themselves -- and let these be a lesson for us all.
Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes For Mayor, Assemblyman Arnold Brown, Treasurer 250 Allison Court, Englewood, NJ 07631
|
