When I was a junior in high school, I was invited to attend Boy’s State, an excellent program run every summer by the American Legion where high school kids practically run their own state governments on local college campuses. 

Part of being involved in this excellent program was delivering a speech in Dublin, Ohio’s cemetery on Memorial Day.  It’s a powerful ceremony — those delivering speeches get to walk with the veterans through Old Dublin, up the hill to the cemetery.  You walk through the gates, the band plays the national anthem, a flag is raised, and the town waits to hear what you have to say. 

Below is exactly what I said 5 years ago.  It’s personal.  And, subsequently, my Congressman, the Honorable PatrickTiberi (OH-12), delivered it into the Congressional Record.

So here it is, as I delivered it…


They kicked him.
The Nazis kicked him to see if he was dead.
My great-grandfather, who landed at Normandy in WWII, had to play dead to stay alive.  
He had landed fighting next to his friends.  Now they were dead.  The Nazis kicked their bodies to see if they were alive, and if they believed that there was some spark of life left in them, they shot them.
My great-grandfather then was eventually discharged because of severe frostbite on his feet.  
He would be forever tormented with the images of the short time he spent in Europe.

At this very second, America has seen only 11 generations.  It is only 225 years old.  Yet, the pillars that are supporting this country, the pillars that tell the world what is just and right, are being torn down.  

But how? How can the core values of this country possibly be in danger?

It’s called apathy.  Not caring for what America is built upon, not caring about those that made sure these pillars could stand.

Our society is vulnerable to self-absorbed greed.  Our society is vulnerable to the apathy that tears down and makes us forget the origins of America.  Our society is vulnerable to irresponsible behavior.  

The same situation pertains to Memorial Day.  Memorial Day is vulnerable to being forgotten.  

The men and women that we are recognizing today fought for the good of our society and our country.  When their lives should have been filled with fun, work, and adventure, they were fighting in remote, God-forsaken areas of the world.  Places like Tunisia, places like Guadalcanal, places like Okinawa, places like the Chosin reservoir, places like Khe Sahn.  They had to endure the most horrible conditions to save the world and our country.  

What have WE given them?

Too many people of this generation barely acknowledge the significance of the holiday.  Too many people of this generation have no idea what the holiday represents.  

Thus, the people of my generation MUST ensure a transition to restore confidence and security to all citizens.  We must begin with Memorial Day.

The only way we can honor the men that surrendered their time to whole-heartedly defend this country is for this generation to dedicate their time to ensuring that the citizens of America are fully aware of what has been given to them and what could easily be taken away.  This generation has to re-instate the active patriotism and restore the constant awareness of what this country is based upon.  We must ensure another 11 generations, 225 years, and beyond.  We must be leaders in this transition.

As President Bush said, “The only good society is a caring society.”
Take to heart what has been done for you, and be motivated to make a difference in someone’s life.  Become a teacher.  Help lead the way to guarantee equality in Ohio’s schools.  Support the World War II memorial.  Participate in government.

THAT is the way to ensure that America’s pillars stand.  THAT is the way to honor the soldiers that fought to preserve those pillars. 

Note: I also posted this over at Fresh Politics.