Let Us Dare to Whisper

On 16 February 2009, I had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony of a new building which will be used as a meeting place by disabled veterans in Northern New Jersey.

The construction of this building was the brainchild of a number of disabled veterans who served our nation from World War II to the present day wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Before I began my speech, I spoke with a number of veterans who were in attendance at this event and asked them what driving force was behind their efforts to begin such a project.

To a man, they told me that as time goes on, they are seeing that a piece of America’s history, i.e., the sacrifice of the American Sailor, Soldier, Airman, and Marine, is beginning to become a footnote in history.

Many of these veterans told me that where tall monuments of heroic military leaders once stood, now stand crumbling concrete and rusted steel.

A number of these veterans shared with me that as they are beginning to enter into the sunset of their lives, so is the history which they fought so very hard to preserve. Hence, this building which cost them thousands of dollars and thousands of man hours in blood, sweat, and tears would be their final gift to a future generation of Americans who will never know them, but who will get to know what they did for the cause of freedom.

As I walked up to the podium and looked across the hall, I saw veterans on crutches, some walking with canes, and just about all of them proudly wearing their VFW, AMVETS, American Legion, and other military hats.

But I also noticed something missing. I could not help but wonder where the young people of this generation who reaped the benefits of what these men and women sacrificed were.

As I looked at the audience of nearly two hundred people, I was hard pressed to find a large number of individuals in their 20’s or 30’s. For a fleeting moment, I thought that those of us who have reaped the
benefits of those whose gave us so much need to do a better job in conveying their message to future generations.

The following is the context of the speech I delivered on that bright and meaningful day in Northern New Jersey on 16 February 2009:

“It was President George Washington who said, ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.’

Today, you have demonstrated a willingness to honor our veterans by dedicating this building which will show future generations that during those times in which we appeared to be weak, we were very strong.

Today, you have demonstrated a willingness to honor all veterans by showing courage during times when our people were afraid.

You built a standing monument which, through mortar and brick, glass and metal, stands for all to see the backbone of America when others talked of a wishbone.

You built this monument not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.

You built the four walls, the floor, and the ceiling, not in the calm during a time of peace, but in a raging storm during time of war.

You, the American veterans, constructed this building which stands as a quiet but strong voice, representing those who can no longer speak, those who can no longer hear, those who can no longer walk, and those who gave their last breath for the cause of freedom.

This building will show future generations the way to make the heart clear and the goals high by following those men and women of the United States Military, who mastered themselves before seeking to master other men; who learned to laugh, and yet never forgot how to weep; who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

Let us dare to remind America what President Washington said during another time and another place, ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.’

Let us dare to whisper to our sons and daughters and all those who come in the
light of day and the darkness of night to visit this place that this generation of Americans appreciates all that they gave, because we know that they gave it all.

Let it be remembered this day that, during this dedication, we in this generation dared to whisper that those who gave so much for the cause of freedom have not died nor do they live in vain.”