“Veterans Day ceremony in Newtown honors 'true American heroes'” |
| Veterans Day ceremony in Newtown honors 'true American heroes' Posted: 15 Nov 2010 01:39 PM PST Lt. David Jacoby's voice quivered with emotion as he spoke about standing in Iraq at a memorial service for a man he didn't even know. "With the sun beating down on our heads and the winds whipping our faces, we stood stiff and tall at attention – the strongest and bravest men I ever knew stood shoulder to shoulder with me, without shame, and allowed the tears to flow down their cheeks and onto the dusty ground," said Jacoby. "The man they honored was their brother," continued Jacoby, "the empty boots and mounted rifle reminded us that this man would never be missed, loved and revered, but for that moment he was the ultimate hero, the man who would receive one last bugle call, one last salute from each of us." The U.S. Navy Reservist and Council Rock High School social studies teacher was the guest speaker at the annual Newtown Veterans Day ceremony at Council Rock High School North on Thursday. "I'll never forget the resolve I felt as I took part in those solemn ceremonies. I resolved to work harder with the precision that our military knows best and has trained me to do so that their death would serve to make us, make me, an even better warrior," he said. Jacoby spoke before an auditorium filled with students, veterans and community members who gathered to remember and say thank you on the 92nd anniversary of Veterans Day. Adorning the stage were the photographs of the 14 Council Rock High School boys who never came home from Vietnam and Iraq. The boys were young – many of them just out of school – when they answered the call to serve their country. Veterans from Morell Smith Post No. 440 of the American Legion, Newtown, read the names of each boy, placed a wreath next to their pictures, offered salutes and presented a single red rose to their families in grateful appreciation. The Council Rock Mastersingers performed the National Anthem, Georgia on My Mind, In Remembrance and Hear My Prayer. "We're all proud and honored to recognize these men who never had a chance to return home to become veterans," said Vietnam veteran Tom Yaegel, who served as master of ceremonies. Continued... The event also honored all veterans for their service and their sacrifices, and the men and women now serving in the military around the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq. "The fruits of their service and sacrifice can be seen throughout the world as evidenced by the hundreds of millions of people who live in freedom in Europe, Asia and the Middle East," said Yaegel. "After their service, these veterans have played vital roles in their communities, trades and professions, that have made the America we know, and for which they were willing to fight, a far better place for our family, friends and neighbors." Yaegel encouraged the students gathered in the auditorium for the ceremony to take a moment and thank a friend, neighbor or relative who has or is serving. "It would mean an awful lot to them," he said. Yaegel also paid special tribute to World War II veteran and the late former Council Rock Superintendent Dr. Irvin Karam, who initiated the Council Rock Memorial Hall of Honor in 1971. Karam joined with then Post 440 Commander Bill Hill to hold a modest gathering on the second floor of the school, which houses the wall of honor. That modest gathering has grown into today's Veterans Day ceremony. Karam's son, Frank, presented a plaque honoring his father, which will now hang with the pictures of the boys who never came home in the school's Memorial Hall. "A true educator with a passionate vision, Dr. Karam inspired many and crafted the rock solid foundation on which the Council Rock School District was built. His selfless leadership initiated the creation of the Council Rock Veteran Memorial Wall to honor the memory of these young Americans who 'Loved Their Country More Than Life Itself,'" reads an inscription on the plaque. Council Rock High School North Principal Susan McCarthy also addressed the gathering, sharing a brief history of Veterans Day, first proclaimed as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The name of the day was changed to Veterans Day on June 1, 1954, to honor American veterans of all wars. "In honoring Council Rock's own today, we extend our tribute to all Americans who have fought and will fight to keep America safe, free and secure," said McCarthy. Lt. Jacoby beamed with pride as he spoke about how "I did my duty with honor" like his father and uncle who came before and so many other veterans. "There's something amazing about serving this great nation of ours, to be a part of the most awesome force on earth and to know that this force is consistently used not to destroy, but to build, not to humiliate, but to support those who need it the most," said Jacoby. Continued... "Every man and woman who ever put on a uniform in service of our U.S. military, who did his duty to our great nation, deserves praise today. I'd like to thank you and from the bottom of my heart and remind you that you are truly heroes to so many of us." About two years ago, Jacoby was notified that he would be mobilized sometime in early 2009. That fateful call came one winter day when I was told to report to train for Operation Iraqi Freedom – 350 days, boots on the ground service. "It finally hit me. I had become a combat veteran. I was one of the people who I always held in such high esteem. I had become like my dad and my uncle and the millions who faced the enemy, held my head high and risked it all," he said. "Today we recognize not just the great men and women who once wore the uniform, but also those amazing young men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice and did not walk home. Those who have perished serving our great nation deserve our esteem and our prayers. They have earned a special place in American history and in our hearts. We know have a chance to remember them well." Jacoby encouraged everyone who knows a veteran who served in uniform or a family member who had to go on living without that mom or dad, husband or wife, son or daughter, to take a moment to thank them for theirs or their loved one's sacrifice. "We need to remind them that no American serviceman who has ever served and no fallen comrade has ever died in vain, that each sacrifice, while horrible to so many left behind, has made America a bit stronger, a bit better and ultimately more grateful." One year after his deployment, Jacoby came home from Iraq "my body unscathed, but by spirit more resolute than ever," he said. "I am so proud that today, for the first Veterans Day of my life, I can stand with you, you brave men and women, and be able to be called you brother. "When I look into your eyes I see wisdom that transcends books and literature. What you have seen and experienced may have been terrible, but the fact you are here today gives us the opportunity to thank you and hope that you will let us honor you. I am still in awe of you and most people. Thank you for your service to our country, for the sacrifices you made in uniform and for being true American heroes." Originally published on Nov. 11, 2010. Lt. David Jacoby's voice quivered with emotion as he spoke about standing in Iraq at a memorial service for a man he didn't even know. "With the sun beating down on our heads and the winds whipping our faces, we stood stiff and tall at attention – the strongest and bravest men I ever knew stood shoulder to shoulder with me, without shame, and allowed the tears to flow down their cheeks and onto the dusty ground," said Jacoby. "The man they honored was their brother," continued Jacoby, "the empty boots and mounted rifle reminded us that this man would never be missed, loved and revered, but for that moment he was the ultimate hero, the man who would receive one last bugle call, one last salute from each of us." The U.S. Navy Reservist and Council Rock High School social studies teacher was the guest speaker at the annual Newtown Veterans Day ceremony at Council Rock High School North on Thursday. "I'll never forget the resolve I felt as I took part in those solemn ceremonies. I resolved to work harder with the precision that our military knows best and has trained me to do so that their death would serve to make us, make me, an even better warrior," he said. Jacoby spoke before an auditorium filled with students, veterans and community members who gathered to remember and say thank you on the 92nd anniversary of Veterans Day. Adorning the stage were the photographs of the 14 Council Rock High School boys who never came home from Vietnam and Iraq. The boys were young – many of them just out of school – when they answered the call to serve their country. Veterans from Morell Smith Post No. 440 of the American Legion, Newtown, read the names of each boy, placed a wreath next to their pictures, offered salutes and presented a single red rose to their families in grateful appreciation. The Council Rock Mastersingers performed the National Anthem, Georgia on My Mind, In Remembrance and Hear My Prayer. "We're all proud and honored to recognize these men who never had a chance to return home to become veterans," said Vietnam veteran Tom Yaegel, who served as master of ceremonies. The event also honored all veterans for their service and their sacrifices, and the men and women now serving in the military around the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq. "The fruits of their service and sacrifice can be seen throughout the world as evidenced by the hundreds of millions of people who live in freedom in Europe, Asia and the Middle East," said Yaegel. "After their service, these veterans have played vital roles in their communities, trades and professions, that have made the America we know, and for which they were willing to fight, a far better place for our family, friends and neighbors." Yaegel encouraged the students gathered in the auditorium for the ceremony to take a moment and thank a friend, neighbor or relative who has or is serving. "It would mean an awful lot to them," he said. Yaegel also paid special tribute to World War II veteran and the late former Council Rock Superintendent Dr. Irvin Karam, who initiated the Council Rock Memorial Hall of Honor in 1971. Karam joined with then Post 440 Commander Bill Hill to hold a modest gathering on the second floor of the school, which houses the wall of honor. That modest gathering has grown into today's Veterans Day ceremony. Karam's son, Frank, presented a plaque honoring his father, which will now hang with the pictures of the boys who never came home in the school's Memorial Hall. "A true educator with a passionate vision, Dr. Karam inspired many and crafted the rock solid foundation on which the Council Rock School District was built. His selfless leadership initiated the creation of the Council Rock Veteran Memorial Wall to honor the memory of these young Americans who 'Loved Their Country More Than Life Itself,'" reads an inscription on the plaque. Council Rock High School North Principal Susan McCarthy also addressed the gathering, sharing a brief history of Veterans Day, first proclaimed as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The name of the day was changed to Veterans Day on June 1, 1954, to honor American veterans of all wars. "In honoring Council Rock's own today, we extend our tribute to all Americans who have fought and will fight to keep America safe, free and secure," said McCarthy. Lt. Jacoby beamed with pride as he spoke about how "I did my duty with honor" like his father and uncle who came before and so many other veterans. "There's something amazing about serving this great nation of ours, to be a part of the most awesome force on earth and to know that this force is consistently used not to destroy, but to build, not to humiliate, but to support those who need it the most," said Jacoby. "Every man and woman who ever put on a uniform in service of our U.S. military, who did his duty to our great nation, deserves praise today. I'd like to thank you and from the bottom of my heart and remind you that you are truly heroes to so many of us." About two years ago, Jacoby was notified that he would be mobilized sometime in early 2009. That fateful call came one winter day when I was told to report to train for Operation Iraqi Freedom – 350 days, boots on the ground service. "It finally hit me. I had become a combat veteran. I was one of the people who I always held in such high esteem. I had become like my dad and my uncle and the millions who faced the enemy, held my head high and risked it all," he said. "Today we recognize not just the great men and women who once wore the uniform, but also those amazing young men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice and did not walk home. Those who have perished serving our great nation deserve our esteem and our prayers. They have earned a special place in American history and in our hearts. We know have a chance to remember them well." Jacoby encouraged everyone who knows a veteran who served in uniform or a family member who had to go on living without that mom or dad, husband or wife, son or daughter, to take a moment to thank them for theirs or their loved one's sacrifice. "We need to remind them that no American serviceman who has ever served and no fallen comrade has ever died in vain, that each sacrifice, while horrible to so many left behind, has made America a bit stronger, a bit better and ultimately more grateful." One year after his deployment, Jacoby came home from Iraq "my body unscathed, but by spirit more resolute than ever," he said. "I am so proud that today, for the first Veterans Day of my life, I can stand with you, you brave men and women, and be able to be called you brother. "When I look into your eyes I see wisdom that transcends books and literature. What you have seen and experienced may have been terrible, but the fact you are here today gives us the opportunity to thank you and hope that you will let us honor you. I am still in awe of you and most people. Thank you for your service to our country, for the sacrifices you made in uniform and for being true American heroes." Originally published on Nov. 11, 2010. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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