Veterans' Day Assembly Remarks

Welcome to our Veterans’ Day Assembly. Thanks to all of you for being here. Thanks to Trey and Ann Louisa, to the 2nd grade and their teachers, to the 5th grade and their teachers, to the other students and faculty who helped put this together. Thanks to Mr. Adams especially for organizing this wonderful assembly. Thanks most especially to the United States Army Signal Corps Band and Color Guard. Thank you for being here. We are very fortunate to have them. Let’s give them another warm round of thanks.

This is my favorite season, not just because of the wonderful crisp weather, football, and rolling out comfort food, but mostly because of how this season of thankfulness fills me with an attitude of gratitude. We just celebrated All Saints Day, All Souls Day, today we celebrateVeterans Day, and just around the corner is Thanksgiving -- an entire season in which we are asked to remember. To remember that the incredible bounty we enjoy -- the fruits we harvest in our lives -- come to us only because of the seeds sown by generations before us…all the way back to Abraham. And come to us only because of the generous grace of God.

And I have to mention this. You know, regardless of your politics, yesterday was an historic day. Historic because a man was elected president who IN MY LIFETIME, in many states would have been made to use a separate bathroom from white folks, drink from a different fountain, who would not have been granted the same opportunities of education and employment of so many of his fellow citizens. Despite your political leanings, you have to marvel at how far we have come in one generation. And again, that was only possible because of the incredible efforts and sacrifices of so many who came before.

Yesterday was also historic because EVERY SINGLE adult citizen had the opportunity to exercise the freedom to vote -- to practice self government. We talk about “the government” as though it’s some separate entity. But in this country, we the people practice self government. We ARE the government. And we the people protect our country, and our liberties, and our peace with the world’s largest volunteer citizen armed forces -- army, navy, marines, air force, and coast guard.

So it is especially appropriate, during this time of reaping, that we pause and remember those who, in service to our country, sowed seeds that grew into the fruits of liberty. We pause to honor the sacrificial service of our soldiers, past and present. We also pause to remind ourselves that the peace and freedom we enjoy came – and comes—often at great cost.

And we hope that in our remembering, our collective remembrance as a community, we also teach our children – some of them future soldiers -- that service to their country – service to these United States – is always an honorable sacrifice.

A few years ago, we were fortunate to be visited by Col. Jack Jacobs, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for literally putting his life on the line to save his fellow servicemen. As he was speaking with a group of students about the importance of service to one’s country, I asked him about that and what it should look like. He said, “I believe following your dreams is service to your country. Be the best you can be at whatever you choose to do.” I have had this quotation on bulletin board since the day he was on campus.

Next week we will have an opportunity – or grades 5-8 will – to meet with yet another hero and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, SFC Sammy L. Davis. And it is in events such as these at EDS that we remember, but we also hope to teach our children. To teach them of their obligations as citizens, of their allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands – and in doing these things, we hope to lead them to fall more in love with their country.

As the apostle Paul teaches us, perfect love never forgets – and today, in remembrance of our veterans past, present, and future – we strive to love our country - and each and every one of our fellow citizens - more perfectly. And to exercise our rights and freedoms for good, for the betterment of mankind, and to more fully fulfill God’s purpose.

We are grateful for your attendance at today’s program. We are grateful to you parents and grandparents for sharing your children with us. Please rise for our benediction, followed by a moment of silent rememberance and the sounding of Taps. At the conclusion of Taps, please remain standing for the retiring of the colors.

--Ned Murray