We want to take a moment to honor anyone who has served or who is currently serving in our U.S. Military. Everyone here at C. Crane is so grateful for your service and the freedoms that it protects.
These words from Coulby Dunn’s Veterans Day speech Nov 7, 2007 will hopefully give you pause in your thoughts surrounding Veterans Day and their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. You can read the full transcript here.
….Let us never forget… that we cannot rightfully celebrate the joy of our freedom… without remembering the great price paid for that freedom.
We stagger…. at the eternal debt we owe… to the untold number of American Veterans…who chose to set aside…their personal ambitions and dreams… to assure the well being of our great nation. We, the living….are indeed… the beneficiaries… of those who made tremendous sacrifices for the advancement and surety of our liberty.
For those soldiers who have stood guard in peacetime… and to those who have seen the terror, the horror and inhumanity of combat — and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice – Let it be said that our soldiers have been there for America…. defending the Constitution of the United States…..
To all our veterans…. we have a simple yet heartfelt message — thank you – Thank you for your unwavering service in peacetime and war, here in this nation… and throughout the world….
Lastly…. I would like to talk about service to your country and community…… I have always felt it was an honor to serve my country and I continue to serve today….not in the military …. but in my community….. and all of you should be doing the same.
I know there are many mothers and fathers…… sitting in this gymnasium this evening….. where your services and talents are needed….I encourage all of you to volunteer your services to any number of endeavors …. Your church, The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The Little League, the Parent Teachers Organization, your local fire company or ambulance association……. We can all make a difference in our community…. What better way can we as parents…… show our children how to live their lives…. than by serving others….
Please take a moment to ponder Mr. Dunn’s suggestions above about community service, and consider making time to thank a veteran or visit a memorial site. Though not all of us are called to serve our country in the military, we can all serve our community in some way.