Honoring Our Veterans
(A speech delivered by Supervisor Dave Rosenberg at official Yolo County ceremonies on May 16, 2003)
On behalf of my four colleagues on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors - Lynnel Pollock, Mike McGowan, Helen Thomson and Frank Sieferman Jr. - and the employees of Yolo County I am pleased to join you in this ceremony recognizing, honoring and appreciating our veterans.
I have the privilege of saying a few words on behalf of our County of Yolo family. Frankly, we are all privileged to be living in a country unlike any other in the history of the human race: The United States of America. A place where we enjoy the freedom to live our lives as we choose, to speak as we want, to disagree and argue if we wish, to worship as we will, and to read and listen to the diverse voices and opinions of reporters and commentators. This great country is the most caring, the most giving, the most complex and the most diverse on the planet. To be an American is an exciting, invigorating, and tumultuous adventure. We love it; sometimes we are frustrated by it. But it's never boring. We are proud of our history, our heritage, and our contributions to the world.
You know, less than one month from today - on June 14 - we will celebrate National Flag Day. As we honor and appreciate the service of our veterans, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the symbol of this great nation. The Flag of the United States, as you know, had its genesis in the Revolutionary War. Back on June 14, 1777, over 225 years ago, the Congress of the United States adopted a resolution calling for a flag with 13 stripes, alternating red and white, and with a blue canton or "union" with 13 white stars. The number 13, of course, represented the original 13 colonies. The resolution defined the significance of those three colors: "White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue, Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice."
It's interesting to reflect on those three colors in the flag, isn't it? Much of the original significance of those colors continues to this day. Time and time again, Americans have been distinguished for their hardiness and valor. And once again, in Afghanistan and in Iraq, Americans have proven that hardiness and valor, sometimes in blood. Similarly, the terrible events of 9-11 have reaffirmed the steadfast vigilance we must now display, the perseverance to our cause to which we will now adhere, and the sure knowledge that at the end of the day justice will endure.
Regrettably, however, the white that reflected innocence and purity in 1777 can no longer be said to apply in 2003. We are no longer innocent. The wars of the 20th Century cast a shadow on the innocence of an adolescent Nation. And if ever there was a doubt, the events of the 21st Century and in particular of 9-11 removed the mask of innocence from all our faces. We are not naïve. We have replaced innocence with caution, wariness and toughness. Perhaps that is a sad commentary in a way. But it is part of growing up. We live in a dangerous world where some hate us because we are free. Teddy Roosevelt once said "there is only one quality worse than hardness of heart and that is softness of head."
So today we honor the men and women who, under that flag, donned the uniform of this country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Many of the veterans of the armed forces are with us today and we recognize and thank you for your service, for your sacrifices and defense of our freedoms, and for your efforts to protect this great experiment in Democracy we call the United States. I want to take this moment to personally thank the returning veterans for their service in Iraq and hope that you all come home soon. As a veteran myself, who served during the Vietnam War era in the late 60's I remember that veterans from that time were not always welcomed back with respect and honor. The ambivalent feelings to the Vietnam War translated into ambivalent feelings toward Vietnam War veterans. Let us not repeat that mistake in 2003. These veterans served our country and did their best. A grateful nation thanks you.
I want to encourage each of you to do your part in thanking our veterans and easing their transition back. Many of you can help. If you are an employer, give a returning veteran a preference in hiring. If you are a member of a service club, invite veterans to speak. Reporters and newsletter editors: here is an opportunity to feature veterans in your articles.
Each of us can help in our own way to continue the work of our service members in Iraq. The re-building of Iraq is an effort that should concern all of us. If you want more information, contact The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.
Abraham Lincoln said it best: "My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth." That is our hope, that is our burden, that is our challenge.