Make Your Life Their Memorial
Thank you to:
- FRANKLIN AMERICAN LEGION POST 1689 (JOHN CURTIN, COMMANDER) FOR INVITING ME HERE
- ALL OF YOU WHO CAME OUT TODAY
- GOD – WHO GAVE US THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY – AND THIS COUNTRY WE LIVE IN
It is my hope that this speech will:
- INSPIRE YOU
- MOTIVATE YOU
- CHALLENGE YOU
The Preamble of the Constitution of the United States says the following:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
WE ALL ARE HERE ON THIS SPECIAL DAY TO HONOR THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR ALL – THOSE THAT HELPED TO “SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY” – FOR US AND OUR CHILDREN!
Let me give you an idea of the magnitude of their sacrifice:
- American Revolution 25,000
- War of 1812 20,000
- American Civil War 625,000
- Spanish-American War 2,500
- World War I 116,500
- World War II 405,400
- Korean War 36,500
- Vietnam War 58,200
- Persian Gulf War 258
- Afghanistan 2,356
- Iraq 4,489
Yes – it’s great that you came out today to honor those who gave their all. But how can I honor them tomorrow? And the next day – next week – next month – and so on?
- HOW CAN I BUILD A LASTING MEMORIAL TO THEM – SO THEIR SACRIFICE IS NOT IN VAIN?
- MAKE YOUR LIFE THEIR MEMORIAL
- HOW CAN I DO THAT? TWO SUGGESTIONS …
- BE THE BEST CITIZEN YOU CAN BE
- BE THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE
1. BE THE BEST CITIZEN YOU CAN BE
IN PRESIDENT JOHN KENNEDY’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS, HE SAID THESE NOW FAMOUS WORDS:
My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
- WHAT CAN I DO?
- EXERCISE YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
- VOTE
- PARTICIPATE – GET INVOLVED IN YOUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
- DON’T EXPECT OTHERS (OR THE GOVERNMENT) TO PROVIDE FOR YOU
- IF YOU CAN PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF – THEN DO IT!
- PULL YOUR WEIGHT
- IF YOU SEE A NEED – MEET THAT NEED – IF YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO SO
- DON’T EXPECT GOVERNMENT TO DO IT
- STAND UP FOR YOUR FREEDOMS – SPEAK OUT
- BUT DON’T ABUSE YOUR FREEDOM – SPEAK WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT
- DON’T LET POLITICAL CORRECTNESS STOP YOU
- PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS – NO GREATER PRIVILEGE
- SUPPORT VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
- HELP AT VA HOSPITAL (OR A CIVILIAN HOSPITAL) – VISIT A VETERAN
- WRITE TO MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN OVERSEAS
- A LETTER CAN PROVIDE TREMENDOUS ENCOURAGEMENT
- SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH MEMBERS OVERSEAS
- HELP VETERANS – THERE ARE MANY ORGANIZATIONS AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH
- WOUNDED WARRIOR
- USO
- AMERICAN LEGION
2. BE THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE
- GALATIANS 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. - HOW CAN I USE MY FREEDOM? – THAT CAME AT SUCH A HIGH COST.
- SERVE
- PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY
- BE A GOOD HUSBAND/WIFE
- BE A GOOD FATHER/MOTHER
- DO YOUR BEST AT YOUR JOB
- DO THE RIGHT THING IN EVERY SITUATION
- SERVE OTHERS
- SINGLE PARENTS
- WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS
- ELDERLY
- ORPHANS
- BOTTOM LINE – LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- USE THE OPPORTUNITY YOUR FREEDOM PROVIDES
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TODAY!
REMEMBER – HONOR THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR YOUR FREEDOM …
BY MAKING YOUR LIFE THEIR MEMORIAL – EVERY DAY!
GOD BLESS YOU – AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Paul Higgins
Captain, USAF, Retired
Sidney NY