- This was presented at our Veteran's remembrance Nov 11-03,
by Claremont, NH, Representative Tom Donovan. Representative Donovan,
is a rare endangered species. He is a man of-for-and by the people in every
sense of the word. Besides his work with the needy-poor-and handicapped
in our community, he represents the people in Concord, NH. If we had two
dozen of him we'd be doing alright. jude moriarty
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- "Thank-you for inviting me to say a few words in
recognition of this country's Veterans who have served this country all
over the world on behalf of our precious freedoms. It is a great honor
to be here along side so many other Veterans. I am quite humbled by my
limited experience serving our great country during the Viet Nam years
and it certainly pales in comparison to the deeds and courage that many
of you were asked to show and exhibited.
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- It is also a special day today for it is the 50th anniversary
of the first "All Veteran's Day" held on that date in Emporia,
Kansas. The following year Congress passed legislation that changed the
scope of the day from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day. The rest is history.
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- I'd like to talk briefly about the first two Veterans
I met. And that was my mother and father. My mother was a nurse and a Lieutenant
in the World War II and my father seemed to work his way back and forth
from a buck private to a corporal. I know that they wore their uniform
with a great deal of pride. My father wore it on the day they were married
58 years ago. Every once in awhile an Army buddy of my father would show
up and he and my father would disappear for a couple of days. I never know
where they would go but when they returned there was always a sense of
both joy and impending loss. There was certain articles around the house
from the war, but most things remained hidden in back closets or high shelves.
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- To the day he died (just recently) and as this son became
closer to his father, he never once would talk of the war. It was only
through my mother and other relatives that I learned first hand the horrors
of war and of the life-shattering experiences of death and dying; of fear
and remorse; that shaped my father's life for the remainder of his days
on earth. He was never the same after those years in the South Pacific.
Yet he was always a proud American, living in, what he always considered
the greatest country in the world.
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- Today we are in a much different time than when my parents
were serving our country. The wars and conflicts are much different also.
Yet, the basic tenets and consequences of war are the same. Our sons and
daughters are fighting for principles they believe in. Many are coming
home wounded and scarred from the battle they fight. Many, way too many,
are coming home to their final resting place. These young people are barely
out of their teen age years, fighting in a distant hostile land. No matter
what your politics, let us insist on the very best equipment, the best
of benefits, and the most modern of medical facilities for these and all
Veterans. They gave their all so that we might be able to return our thank
s by always being diligent. A Veteran is a Veteran all the days of their
lives and deserve the very best of care.
-
- Recently, Congress passed an 87,5 billion dollar bill
to support (partially) our troops in Iraq. Astoundingly they reduced Veteran's
benefits by some 28 billion over the next 10 years. And during this same
week Congress voted themselves a hefty pay raise for the 5th straight year!
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- In this time of great rhetoric about never leaving any
child behind. I say most emphatically: LET US LEAVE NO VETERAN BEHIND.
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