Veterans Services Officer (Candy Orlando Photo)
By BRUCE SIEGEL
Veterans Services Officer
LYNNFIELD — Good morning and welcome to Lynnfield’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. It’s great to see all of you here this morning. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Bruce Siegel, and I am Lynnfield’s Veteran’s Services Officer.
As we gather here today to commemorate Memorial Day, we come together as a community, united in our remembrance and gratitude for the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Today, we honor not just the heroes who fought on distant shores, but also those who served at home and alongside their comrades, all of whom embodied the spirit of courage and selflessness. We are here today to recognize and honor those that never came home. The brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to serve, protect, and defend our great nation. We collectively share our heartfelt sorrow and gratitude.
Each Memorial Day, our nation says “Thank You” to those who serve, and think — perhaps only momentarily — of those service members and families who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Most Americans have had the distinct luxury of never knowing war — what it does to a person, to a family, to a community — and so, for them, Memorial Day is just that: A day. But for those families who have buried a loved one, they know that war is hell, and grief knows no bounds. War is a burden, which transcends time and space.
In honoring our fallen, let us also commit ourselves to support our veterans and active-duty service members. We must ensure that they receive the care, respect and opportunities they deserve. This commitment is a way to keep their memories alive and to honor their sacrifices in a meaningful way. As we go about our day, let us take a moment to remember those who gave everything for our freedom. Let this remembrance inspire us to live with purpose, to value our freedoms and to extend kindness and compassion to one another.
Veterans make us humble. They teach us lessons. As heroes, they face death for others with no thought of personal gain or glory. The sacrifices our veterans have made should not be forgotten. With profound respect and admiration, I thank all who have served, and those who continue to serve this great country.
This is the cost of war: The price our veterans, service members and their families have paid for our nation’s freedom. This Memorial Day, we must all remember this cost. Remember our fallen service members and veterans, and remember the families they left behind. Remember the emails home, the prayers whispered, the hearts broken and the lives cut short. Remember our military caregivers, and remember those among us who continue to battle the invisible wounds of war.
Thus, while we celebrate their heroism by gathering here today, I urge you to remember the weight that this day, and every day holds for the Families of the Fallen. I urge you to take a moment to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, and to say a prayer for their loved ones who have sacrificed greatly.
Closing remarks
Roy Knight Jr. was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. On May 19, 1967, he was shot down while attacking a target on the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos. He was posthumously promoted to colonel. Several years ago, a joint team from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency discovered and later identified Col. Knights’ remains.
When his remains arrived at Dallas’s Love Field, a crowd had gathered to witness the dignified transfer of the flag-draped casket from the Southwest Airlines jet into the receptive arms of the military honor guard. One observer reported that the entire crowd fell silent.
The Southwest flight was piloted by another Air Force veteran, Col. Knight’s son, Bryan. Bryan Knight was only 5-years-old when he said goodbye to his father as the elder Knight left for Vietnam. This is yet another legacy that these heroes leave behind. A legacy that includes their sons, daughters, grieving parents, grandparents and friends.
This year, the weight of history feels particularly profound, marked by the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War era and the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II.
World War II reminds us of the fragility of peace and the importance of global cooperation in the face of aggression. We remember the over 400,000 American lives lost — brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who stormed beaches, soared through the skies and faced unimaginable horrors to defend freedom and democracy against tyranny.
The Vietnam War compels us to reflect on the complexities of war and the profound impact that conflict has on those who serve and their families. Tragically, more than 58,000 Americans lost their lives in the jungles and rice paddies of Southeast Asia.
Today, we remember the more than 1 million men and women who died serving in the United States military. We put aside our differences, and we become unified. We come together to honor the heroes who answered the call to serve. Today is the day we all stand up and say: “We remember you, we are grateful to you and we thank you.” Thank you for the sacrifice you made to help make our world a safer place. As the saying goes: “All gave some, some gave all.” To those who gave all, we remember and honor you. You gave up everything for people you did not know, and we will never forget you.
May God bless them and may God bless you for remembering them today. And, as always, God bless America.
I’d like to thank all of you for participating in today’s ceremony. There were also those behind the scenes who helped make it a success. I thank them as well. I do have a special thank you, though to my wife, Candy. Thank you for your never-ending support and thank you for your great photos.
Enjoy the music and lunch everyone. Please allow our veterans to line up first.