CLOSING REMARKS FOR TAMPA REGIONAL EVENT

 

 

 

    I saw SGT Akins recite the NCO Creed at her recent promotion.  Her recitation was truly inspiring.  So much so that I asked her if she would be willing to recite the NCO Creed here today.  I think you'll all agree that she did a super job representing our armed forces.  Thank you, SGT Akins.

 

[HOLD FOR APPLAUSE]

 

    And now for the City of Tampa.   A special thanks to Mayor Pam Iorio and this great City of Tampa.   I can't speak highly enough of our experience partnering with you and your community.   For all of us on the Committee and on behalf of the World War II veterans, thank you for co-hosting this event.   I hope that our partnership to honor our veterans will continue past this one commemoration.  

 

    Would  Mayor Iorio please step forward and accept this token of appreciation from the Department of the Army?

 

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    Thank you [KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND OTHER SPEAKERS, AND MC].  [ADD SPECIAL COMMENTS ABOUT THOSE SPEAKERS.]

 

[HOLD FOR APPLAUSE]

 

    As the Executive Director of this Committee, I have been privileged to see the outpouring of gratitude to our veterans.  From the dedication of the beautiful World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to the ceremonies in Normandy, France; Belgium; and the Netherlands, our allies have not forgotten the commitment of the United States nor your  sacrifice.  

 

    I saw a little 8-year old Dutch girl present a rose to one of our veterans and say in perfect English," Thank you, Sir for giving me my freedom."  I heard five thousand Europeans in their town square sing our National Anthem in English at the top of their lungs in a ceremony commemorating their liberation.  I watched the King of Belgium throw nuts to a huge crowd from a balcony in Bastogne and scream "Nuts" to commemorate the answer to the German demand for surrender of the gallant 101st Airborne that was surrounded there in the freezing cold of December 1944.  Across the Pacific, a grateful Philippine government commemorated the landing  at Leyte Gulf.  People recognize what you have accomplished.  People know and people remember.

 

        That is why we are here this afternoon -- to recognize the heroic service of the Greatest Generation.   As a soldier, who followed in the footsteps of this generation, you taught me the technical skills I needed, but most of all you taught me hard work, dedication,  a sense of honor, of duty, of love of country.

 

    As we close today's commemoration, let us each commit to remember the next generation of heroes.  Those American service men and women who, right now, are putting themselves in harm's way in far off places combating the threat of terrorism.  Just as you veterans of World War II here today sacrificed much for the peace and freedom in far off lands, so today do our Soldiers, sailors, Airman, Marines and Coastguardsmen.  As we commemorate the great and noble deeds of you veterans, let us all commit to a future where the heroes of places like Iraq and Afghanistan get the recognition THEY deserve.  May God bless them, and may they also know, as we veterans know, that for those who have fought for freedom, life takes on a flavor the protected never know.

 

    In closing, I simply say, "thank you" to my lifetime heroes for what you did 60 years ago.  I salute you for who you are today, OUR GREATEST GENERATION.