December 2, 1972 I entered military service and for 32.5 years it was an honor and privilege to wear the Navy uniform. CNO referred to the uniform as our nation’s cloth and said wear it with pride. Never do anything to embarrass the uniform or your country.
There are several vets present and I am sure share that pride
Memorial Day is a chance to reflect on those who have served and sacrificed for their country in military service. How many here have visited the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC? It’s a monument to the 58,267 who died including 7 women. To some this may resonate as nothing more than a number, a historical figure, a battlefield statistic, but when you walk the wall, touch the names, find a friend or family member and reflect on the length of the wall it has an enormous impact. Every name on that wall was someone’s son, brother, daughter, father or friend. Imagine the grieving when the announcement was delivered to loved ones. I encourage you to visit the monument; I guarantee it will have an emotional impact. That war was a defining period for many of my generation and represents the essence of Memorial Day.
In my tenure from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War one of the most significant changes was from the draft to an all volunteer service. I will never question anyone’s service but I will tell you today’s military represents the finest soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines I ever saw. They represent the most educated, talented and motivated military ever. Despite the War in Afghanistan, multiple deployments and tensions elsewhere, today’s members continue to serve gallantly and retention remains high. The bar has been raised to be accepted and recruiting quotas are still met. Equipment is so much more technical it requires a more talented and educated person to operate it.
There is a downside to not having a draft. In the 60’s families watched the Vietnam War reports on the 6:00 news. Most families worried about their kids going to war or knew somebody serving in Vietnam. The draft encompassed more of society and the general population was engaged. Today the military is more of a culture with commonality among those serving. I would not trade our volunteer system but how many of you have given much thought to the war on any one of the 3,884 (10 years and 234) days of the conflict. How many here know someone serving? Randy I know you and your son served as helicopter pilots, Paul Drago has been over there and I am sure several present have served. The point I am making is the war is distant to most of us because it does not include a close family member. It opens the question; would we still be at war if there was a draft? My civilian friends talk about the economy, sports, business and politics. My military friends talk about deployment, the last one, the next one, the family separation. They talk about the 4,487 lost in Iraq and 1,918 lost in Afghanistan because they lost friends and family. Multiply that 10 times for the wounded. The Army bore the brunt with 72% of the casualties. It’s worth mentioning, 11% were Guard and Reserve. The most emotional day in my career was visiting Bethesda Naval hospital and witnessing the spirit of the wounded, amputees who want to be treated in order to rejoin their unit.
What motivates them? They serve because of a sense of duty, honor, courage, commitment, patriotism and because of their loyalty to each other. Others have gone before them, fathers and grandfathers, and they see it as their turn.
The military owes its allegiance to civilian authority. Folks elected to office owe a responsibility to obligate our military wisely. It’s not enough to ask if military action is necessary but also to ask how we get out. What determines success? What is Victory? What is the cost? The most precious asset we have is our children. We can’t let their sacrifice be meaningless. Today we honor that sacrifice. Pause with me for a moment on this Memorial Day and reflect on the loss of life in all the wars and for those forward deployed in harms way today. (Pause)
Thanks for letting me share this event with you. Enjoy the remainder of your memorial day and remember what Memorial Day is all about!