CVVA Memorial Wall Ceremony - 2012 Patriot Ride
Jun 17, 2012 19:37:16 GMT -6
Post by Moderator on Jun 17, 2012 19:37:16 GMT -6
Transcript of Jeff Seeber's remarks during the wreath presentation at the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on June 16, 2012 at The Patriot Ride in Ham Lake, MN ...
Thank you for being here, and a special welcome to our guests from Canada, including members and friends of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Association, the Canadian Army Veterans and the UN/NATO Veterans.
The primary reason for the Patriot Ride is to honor and remember our fallen from the Global War On Terror. We assemble here each year so that the families and friends know their loved ones are not forgotten.
It is entirely appropriate that the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is displayed here today because those who have served in the Armed Forces since September 11, 2001 ... and especially those who gave their lives ... are the primary reason that Veterans of the Vietnam War are at long last able to acknowledge our service and, most importantly, publicly honor and remember the buddies we lost.
The fact that Gold Star families from the Global War On Terror, and men and women who are currently serving on active duty or with the National Guard, and Veterans who have served in every decade since Vietnam, and patriots who support our Armed Forces, are standing here to join those who served during Vietnam to honor our Canadian brothers means more than any words we can possibly say.
Approximately 30,000 Canadians served in America's Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. 12,000 served in-country. 121 gave their lives. Today we have the opportunity to thank those who survived and to lay a wreath in honor of those who did not.
We present this wreath on behalf of the Patriot Ride, the Minnesota Patriot Guard, the Military Salute Project, all those assembled here, and many others who are unable to be present.
I will now read the inscriptions on each side of the wreath. Vietnam Veteran Dave Winkler will place the wreath and then attach a set of Vietnam beads that he has assembled. Then, I will call our detail to Attention and I respectfully invite all those who are entitled to salute to please join us as our bugler, Paul Grustans, sounds "Last Post".
The inscription on the back side reads ...
Presented at The Patriot Ride
Ham Lake, Minnesota
June 16, 2012
Underneath that, we included the final lines of "The Last Full Measure of Devotion" ...
And for those who did survive
And came back home alive
They join in praise of comrades who were slain.
And highly resolved
Most highly resolved
That these dead shall not have died in vain.
The inscription on the front side reads ...
With grateful appreciation to the Canadians who served in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and in honor of those who gave their lives. We thank you for your service. We thank you for your sacrifice. We will remember you.
DETAIL, ATTENTION!
PRESENT ARMS!
--- sound "Last Post" ---
ORDER ARMS!
In closing, I'd like to say to our Canadian friends who served during the Vietnam War ...
Welcome Home, Brothers!
Thank you for being here, and a special welcome to our guests from Canada, including members and friends of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Association, the Canadian Army Veterans and the UN/NATO Veterans.
The primary reason for the Patriot Ride is to honor and remember our fallen from the Global War On Terror. We assemble here each year so that the families and friends know their loved ones are not forgotten.
It is entirely appropriate that the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is displayed here today because those who have served in the Armed Forces since September 11, 2001 ... and especially those who gave their lives ... are the primary reason that Veterans of the Vietnam War are at long last able to acknowledge our service and, most importantly, publicly honor and remember the buddies we lost.
The fact that Gold Star families from the Global War On Terror, and men and women who are currently serving on active duty or with the National Guard, and Veterans who have served in every decade since Vietnam, and patriots who support our Armed Forces, are standing here to join those who served during Vietnam to honor our Canadian brothers means more than any words we can possibly say.
Approximately 30,000 Canadians served in America's Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. 12,000 served in-country. 121 gave their lives. Today we have the opportunity to thank those who survived and to lay a wreath in honor of those who did not.
We present this wreath on behalf of the Patriot Ride, the Minnesota Patriot Guard, the Military Salute Project, all those assembled here, and many others who are unable to be present.
I will now read the inscriptions on each side of the wreath. Vietnam Veteran Dave Winkler will place the wreath and then attach a set of Vietnam beads that he has assembled. Then, I will call our detail to Attention and I respectfully invite all those who are entitled to salute to please join us as our bugler, Paul Grustans, sounds "Last Post".
The inscription on the back side reads ...
Presented at The Patriot Ride
Ham Lake, Minnesota
June 16, 2012
Underneath that, we included the final lines of "The Last Full Measure of Devotion" ...
And for those who did survive
And came back home alive
They join in praise of comrades who were slain.
And highly resolved
Most highly resolved
That these dead shall not have died in vain.
The inscription on the front side reads ...
With grateful appreciation to the Canadians who served in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and in honor of those who gave their lives. We thank you for your service. We thank you for your sacrifice. We will remember you.
DETAIL, ATTENTION!
PRESENT ARMS!
--- sound "Last Post" ---
ORDER ARMS!
In closing, I'd like to say to our Canadian friends who served during the Vietnam War ...
Welcome Home, Brothers!