"...no more fitting place..."

This morning, I was privileged to offer the opening comments for the dedication of the newly reclaimed and restored Veterans' Honor Roll. It was an honor that shall forever remain a cherished memory for me and I hope equally so for the 300 plus attendees who were witness to this historic event in recognition of our communities heroes. The text of my comments - given in tribute to those who serve - are offered here for those unable to attend:

Good Morning,

It is an honor for me to be asked to speak here today and I extend my sincere thanks to Bob Briere and the members of the Veterans’ Honor Roll Committee for the privilege of doing so. There are many who have made this day possible and I will leave it - rightfully so - to others better equipped than I to honor them with recognition. I instead, shall confine my remarks to the sanctity of what this event commemorates. Thus, On behalf of the Town of Sturbridge, I would like to thank you all for attending and extend a warm welcome to you on this very special day not only in our Town’s history, but in a much larger sense that of our nation and those who have stood guard on the wall that separates freedom from oppression, democracy from dictatorship, and hope from despair.

Senator Stephen Brewer addresses those in attendance

Today, and throughout this weekend, Americans around the globe have paused, even if only briefly, to give thought and thanks to those who have sacrificed so much in defense of our nation and the principles upon which it was founded. Here today in Sturbridge, this day memorializes those men and women whether combat deployed or otherwise who have stood guard on that wall, ever vigilant in their duty to ensure our way of life.

Some have questioned – rightfully so, as this is America, a country that honors dissent and challenge to its government - the reclamation and restoration of this Honor Roll in front of our newly restored Town Hall. When I reflect upon such, I am reminded of President John Kennedy’s inaugural speech wherein he said that “in the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the roll of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger, I do not shrink from that roll, I welcome it”, So too, the names of those engraved upon these plaques and many of the bricks upon which we now stand, welcomed their role and responsibility to defend freedom in its hour of maximum danger. The individuals whose service is reflected by way of their names upon this honor roll whether overseas deployed or stateside have stood as a force in readiness ever reminding the world of our commitment to liberty.

In recognition of their incredibly selfless service to our nation, one has to wonder just what type of government might have taken up residence within our newly restored Town Hall, were it not for those willing to defend freedom from those who would wish us ill.

Project Architect Mike Loin addresses the attendees

Some have questioned – and rightfully so for this is America, a country that honors dissent and challenge to its government - the necessity for an outdoor monument, suggesting perhaps that the walls of Veterans’ Memorial Hall are a more fitting place. When I reflect upon such, I am reminded of the absolute horrors of war, the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological toll it takes on all who experience it. So too, I reflect upon the sacrifice and suffering exacted from the families of our service men and women and the long unending road to recovery that many experience. For them, the luxury of remembering the sacrifices of our soldiers comes not in the celebration of an extended weekend that affords additional time away from work or school, but rather the reality of a life where sadly, every day is Memorial Day, and for them there is so very little to celebrate. In recognition of such, I believe there to be no more fitting a location to honor these men and women than in the most visible of places, so that we dare not forget the often unending hardships they and their families experience on our behalf.

President Kennedy would also remind the world during his inaugural address that "...we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty".

Some of the 300 plus in attendance

Sadly, and all too frequently, despite our defeat of Fascism, Imperialism, and Communism on the battlefield, we live in a world where liberty remains under assault from the likes of Totalitarian Regimes, Ethnic Purists, Hard line Theocracies committed to the acquisition of nuclear weapons, and Militant Islamist Jihadists. Unlike however, the sacrifices made by all Americans during World Wars 1&2, most of us here today are fortunate enough to go about our daily lives often lost to the tragic reality that somewhere in the world at this very minute, and often in places you will never hear about, men and women are on patrol in hostile environments, as they endeavor to assure as President Kennedy articulated “the survival and the success of liberty”. Some of these courageous and selfless individuals will never return home and all too many of those that do, return physically or emotionally scarred for life.

Sturbridge Veterans' Honor Roll

Yes indeed, there is no more fitting place to remind us of the enormous debt we owe these men and women than right here, at a place of prominence, where each of us might daily be prompted to offer a silent prayer of thanks as we pass by. To all of you who have served so that I might enjoy the great freedom I enjoy, I extend my heartfelt thanks for what you have given me.

Thomas R. Creamer, BOS Chairman & privileged American.