[Speaker 1] (0:08 - 0:11)
On behalf of the town of Swampscott and our veterans community,

[Speaker 1] (0:12 - 0:21)
I want to thank you for joining us here today as we join to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service of this great nation.

[Speaker 1] (0:22 - 0:24)
Today is a sacred day of remembrance,

[Speaker 1] (0:24 - 0:27)
a day set aside for a grateful nation to pause and reflect.

[Speaker 1] (0:28 - 0:33)
On the cost of freedom and the sacrifice carried not only by those who fell in service,

[Speaker 1] (0:33 - 0:38)
by also the families and friends and communities who continue to carry their legacies forward.

[Speaker 1] (0:39 - 0:45)
As we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation and 25 years since the beginning of the global war on terror,

[Speaker 1] (0:46 - 0:52)
we remember Americans from each generation of service, from Lexington and Concord.

[Speaker 1] (0:52 - 0:53)
To the Pacific,

[Speaker 1] (0:53 - 0:54)
to the beaches of Normandy,

[Speaker 1] (0:55 - 0:57)
from Korea, Vietnam,

[Speaker 1] (0:57 - 1:00)
and to Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Speaker 1] (1:01 - 1:04)
Generations of Americans answered the call to serve.

[Speaker 1] (1:05 - 1:10)
Generations of Swampscott residents joined the service and answered that call,

[Speaker 1] (1:10 - 1:15)
knowing full well the risks and far too many never returned home.

[Speaker 1] (1:16 - 1:19)
We must recognize that for many veterans and Gold Star families,

[Speaker 1] (1:20 - 1:21)
Memorial Day is deeply personal.

[Speaker 1] (1:22 - 1:28)
Behind every name engraved on the monuments that we see, or we speak aloud their names at ceremonies,

[Speaker 1] (1:28 - 1:29)
is a story,

[Speaker 1] (1:30 - 1:30)
a family,

[Speaker 1] (1:31 - 1:32)
a future left unfinished,

[Speaker 1] (1:33 - 1:36)
and a life given in service to something greater than themselves.

[Speaker 1] (1:37 - 1:38)
Today,

[Speaker 1] (1:38 - 1:39)
we remember.

[Speaker 2] (1:40 - 1:41)
That's crazy.

[Speaker 1] (1:45 - 1:48)
In the name of loving God we give you thanks for this day,

[Speaker 1] (1:48 - 1:51)
for this time of remembrance,

[Speaker 1] (1:51 - 1:52)
for this gathering.

[Speaker 1] (1:53 - 2:06)
We give you thanks for the men and women who served in the armed forces of our country and in the day of decision gave all.

[Speaker 3] (2:11 - 2:13)
you thanks for their service.

[Speaker 3] (2:14 - 2:22)
We give you thanks for who they were and what they meant to their families back home.

[Speaker 3] (2:23 - 2:36)
We ask that you would comfort and heal all of those who mourn those who have died in military service in our community and the communities around our commonwealth.

[Speaker 3] (2:39 - 2:52)
God, we give you this time and ask that your blessing would be upon us for this day we remember with gratitude and give thanks to those who gave all. Amen.

[Speaker 4] (2:54 - 2:54)
Okay.

[Speaker 3] (2:55 - 2:59)
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

[Speaker 3] (3:00 - 3:03)
And to the Republic for which it stands,

[Speaker 3] (3:03 - 3:04)
one nation,

[Speaker 3] (3:04 - 3:05)
under God,

[Speaker 3] (3:06 - 3:07)
indivisible,

[Speaker 3] (3:07 - 3:09)
with liberty and justice for all.

[Speaker 5] (3:11 - 3:11)
Oh

[Speaker 1] (5:15 - 5:16)
Navy Chapter 64,

[Speaker 1] (5:16 - 5:18)
VFW Post 1240,

[Speaker 1] (5:18 - 5:25)
American Legion Post 57, and a special welcome to the Captain Jennifer Harris Marine Corps Lead Detachment,

[Speaker 1] (5:25 - 5:27)
Honorable Few 1302 for being here today.

[Speaker 1] (5:28 - 5:30)
And I want to, as I, you know,

[Speaker 1] (5:30 - 5:34)
when you see these sort of events, we have veterans, we have people from the community.

[Speaker 1] (5:34 - 5:41)
I think having the children involved is such an incredible tradition here that I love to see. So I want to thank the organizations by name as well.

[Speaker 1] (5:43 - 5:46)
The Girl Scouts Junior Brownie Daisy Scouts of Ocean Bay,

[Speaker 1] (5:48 - 5:53)
Swansea BSA Troop 53 and Cub Scout Pack 55. If I could give them just a special round of applause for everything they do.

[Speaker 1] (6:01 - 6:04)
This week and this whole month.

[Speaker 1] (6:06 - 6:09)
With a word for the community the work we've been able to do if you look around

[Speaker 1] (6:10 - 6:16)
Swanscott again Please do go up and down Monument Avenue look at the flags that are up and you see the names of the fallen all of them

[Speaker 1] (6:17 - 6:20)
That those heroes since 9-11

[Speaker 1] (6:21 - 6:25)
And far too many of us probably have either family or friends on there that we know

[Speaker 1] (6:27 - 6:28)
Well it was

[Speaker 1] (6:29 - 6:32)
Not only, it was a joint, as I said, it was a team effort,

[Speaker 1] (6:32 - 6:36)
you know, from the police department making sure it was safe, the fire department was out there helping us put it on.

[Speaker 1] (6:36 - 6:49)
And by the way, the fire department helped us flag so many graves here in the cemetery this week where the scouts came out. And I just think it's indicative of what happens, you know, I've been the director of this district,

[Speaker 1] (6:49 - 6:51)
the Lynn Swampscott district since 2018.

[Speaker 1] (6:53 - 6:55)
And I just think it's not surprising,

[Speaker 1] (6:56 - 7:01)
and I just want to say thank you to the community because the community really does in a very real way come together to honor veterans,

[Speaker 1] (7:01 - 7:03)
so I want to say thank you for that.

[Speaker 1] (7:03 - 7:05)
So give yourselves a round of applause for that.

[Speaker 1] (7:08 - 7:12)
And since thanks are going around,

[Speaker 1] (7:12 - 7:12)
I think as I mentioned,

[Speaker 1] (7:13 - 7:13)
the Swampscott Police,

[Speaker 1] (7:14 - 7:15)
Fire Department,

[Speaker 1] (7:15 - 7:16)
the town administrator,

[Speaker 1] (7:16 - 7:17)
Nick,

[Speaker 1] (7:17 - 7:18)
his office was invaluable,

[Speaker 1] (7:18 - 7:19)
select board.

[Speaker 1] (7:20 - 7:26)
And I think we always talk, you know, Gino, but I want to say thank you to Gino for all the work he was here at 8 o'clock this morning opening this up.

[Speaker 1] (7:27 - 7:29)
But his crew over here at the cemetery,

[Speaker 1] (7:29 - 7:32)
Will and those guys, they really have helped us immeasurably.

[Speaker 1] (7:39 - 7:43)
You can see him around town picking up trash cans and doing the work that allows us to enjoy this community the way we do.

[Speaker 1] (7:43 - 7:45)
So thank you to them.

[Speaker 1] (7:45 - 7:47)
I mentioned the fire department,

[Speaker 1] (7:47 - 7:57)
I mentioned the police department, but every day they help us. And I think one of the things they do with our job is more than just ceremonial. We help veterans every day.

[Speaker 1] (7:57 - 7:58)
We try to,

[Speaker 1] (7:58 - 8:05)
and we couldn't do it without them, whether it's a veteran in need or them giving us a heads up on veterans who need help. And I want to say thank you to them very much for that.

[Speaker 1] (8:06 - 8:13)
So, with that, I think it's fitting our first speaker today is the chair of the select board.

[Speaker 1] (8:14 - 8:19)
I'd like to call forward Katie Phelan to say a few words of greetings of the town and thank them for everything they do.

[Speaker 6] (8:24 - 8:25)
Good morning, everyone.

[Speaker 6] (8:25 - 8:30)
Thank you for being here today as we gather as a community this Memorial Day.

[Speaker 6] (8:31 - 8:34)
I'd like to thank our State Rep. Jenny Armini for joining us,

[Speaker 6] (8:34 - 8:36)
and also Danielle Leonard,

[Speaker 6] (8:36 - 8:37)
Mary Ellen Fletcher,

[Speaker 6] (8:37 - 8:38)
Wayne Spritz,

[Speaker 6] (8:38 - 8:42)
Ted Dooley, our current select board members, and former board member David Grishman,

[Speaker 6] (8:42 - 8:46)
who his departure is the reason I'm standing here today and not him,

[Speaker 6] (8:46 - 8:47)
so thanks, David.

[Speaker 6] (8:48 - 8:50)
Today is a day of remembrance,

[Speaker 6] (8:50 - 8:54)
a day of pause and reflect on the courage, sacrifice and service.

[Speaker 6] (8:55 - 9:01)
of the women and men of our armed forces who gave their lives in defense of our country and the freedoms we hold dear.

[Speaker 6] (9:03 - 9:06)
Their sacrifice is the greatest gift one can give,

[Speaker 6] (9:06 - 9:10)
and it is our responsibility to ensure their memory lives on.

[Speaker 6] (9:13 - 9:15)
They send the emotional one up. Sorry.

[Speaker 6] (9:15 - 9:20)
For me, this day is also deeply personal. I would especially like to remember my cousin,

[Speaker 6] (9:20 - 9:21)
Army Sergeant Stephen J.

[Speaker 6] (9:21 - 9:24)
Deluzio of the Vermont Army National Guard,

[Speaker 6] (9:24 - 9:28)
who was killed in action on August 22nd, 2010 in Afghanistan.

[Speaker 6] (9:30 - 9:34)
Steve served with honor and courage and unwavering sense of duty.

[Speaker 6] (9:35 - 9:37)
Like so many of our fallen heroes,

[Speaker 6] (9:37 - 9:39)
he represents the very best of our nation.

[Speaker 6] (9:41 - 9:42)
Today we honor Steve,

[Speaker 6] (9:42 - 9:44)
Army Specialist Jared Raymond,

[Speaker 6] (9:44 - 9:46)
Marine Captain Jennifer Harris,

[Speaker 6] (9:46 - 9:48)
and all those who never made it home.

[Speaker 6] (9:50 - 9:51)
I wish David were here.

[Speaker 6] (9:52 - 9:56)
We remember not only how they died, but how they lived with bravery,

[Speaker 6] (9:56 - 9:57)
commitment,

[Speaker 6] (9:57 - 9:59)
and love for country and love for one another.

[Speaker 1] (10:01 - 10:05)
May we never take for granted the freedom secured through their ultimate sacrifice.

[Speaker 1] (10:07 - 10:10)
On behalf of the town of Swampscot, thank you to our veterans organizations,

[Speaker 1] (10:11 - 10:12)
our veterans service team,

[Speaker 1] (10:13 - 10:15)
our volunteers, and everyone who helped make today's ceremony possible.

[Speaker 1] (10:16 - 10:20)
And to all our veterans and military families here today,

[Speaker 1] (10:20 - 10:20)
thank you.

[Speaker 1] (10:21 - 10:22)
Thank you for your service,

[Speaker 1] (10:22 - 10:23)
your strength,

[Speaker 1] (10:23 - 10:25)
and for your ultimate sacrifice.

[Speaker 2] (10:40 - 10:44)
Katie, thank you so much for sharing because I think a lot of people in this room.

[Speaker 2] (10:46 - 10:47)
Have stories just like that.

[Speaker 2] (10:48 - 10:50)
So I think that's really what this day is all about.

[Speaker 2] (10:50 - 10:53)
So thank you very much Our next

[Speaker 2] (10:55 - 11:00)
speaker has been a fixture at every event we have even when she's been hobbled by injury

[Speaker 2] (11:02 - 11:04)
I think we're proud to have her involved.

[Speaker 2] (11:04 - 11:12)
She's been nothing short of astounding in how much help she's brought and how many times she reaches out for us to see if there isn't something more she can do,

[Speaker 2] (11:12 - 11:13)
whether it's here in the legislature.

[Speaker 2] (11:13 - 11:17)
So I want to say thank you and welcome State Representative Jenny Armini.

[Speaker 1] (11:30 - 11:55)
everyone it's great to be with you and Katie thank you so much for that thank you for bringing that home for me and I think for all of us I bring greetings from Senator Brendan Creighton who sadly couldn't be with us today he has six communities he represents so he is running around but he sends his best

[Speaker 1] (11:59 - 12:09)
It is an honor to take a moment to talk about the people who gave their last measure of devotion for our freedom.

[Speaker 1] (12:10 - 12:13)
You know, Memorial Day is not a celebration.

[Speaker 1] (12:14 - 12:15)
It's a commemoration.

[Speaker 1] (12:16 - 12:20)
And in this 250th year of our republic,

[Speaker 1] (12:20 - 12:24)
it's also an opportunity to think about

[Speaker 1] (12:25 - 12:31)
How these sacrifices across so many generations shaped who we are as a nation.

[Speaker 1] (12:33 - 12:37)
Civil war tore us apart and bound us back together.

[Speaker 1] (12:38 - 12:40)
And at Gettysburg,

[Speaker 1] (12:40 - 12:46)
Lincoln beautifully framed that sacrifice as the last full measure of devotion.

[Speaker 1] (12:48 - 12:52)
Victories in two world wars birthed the American century.

[Speaker 1] (12:53 - 12:57)
General Douglas MacArthur elevated soldiering to the divine.

[Speaker 1] (12:57 - 12:59)
He said,

[Speaker 1] (12:59 - 13:07)
the soldier above all other men is required to practice the greatest of religious training,

[Speaker 1] (13:07 - 13:09)
sacrifice.

[Speaker 1] (13:10 - 13:15)
As many of you know, we lost our way during Vietnam.

[Speaker 1] (13:16 - 13:21)
We did not appropriately honor the sacrifices of those service members,

[Speaker 1] (13:21 - 13:23)
but we learned our lesson.

[Speaker 1] (13:24 - 13:28)
Those who executed operations Desert Storm,

[Speaker 1] (13:28 - 13:29)
Enduring Freedom,

[Speaker 1] (13:29 - 13:30)
Iraqi Freedom,

[Speaker 1] (13:31 - 13:32)
they were treated differently.

[Speaker 1] (13:34 - 13:37)
We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform,

[Speaker 1] (13:37 - 13:39)
said President George W.

[Speaker 1] (13:39 - 13:41)
Bush during Enduring Freedom.

[Speaker 1] (13:42 - 13:46)
We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great distances,

[Speaker 1] (13:46 - 13:48)
to risk injury,

[Speaker 1] (13:48 - 13:53)
even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

[Speaker 1] (13:54 - 13:55)
They are dedicated,

[Speaker 1] (13:55 - 13:57)
they are honorable,

[Speaker 1] (13:57 - 14:01)
they represent the best of our country, and we are grateful.

[Speaker 1] (14:03 - 14:07)
But generational sacrifice is not just about victory or defeat.

[Speaker 1] (14:08 - 14:14)
The legacy of the fallen soldier transcends the scorekeeping of military history.

[Speaker 1] (14:15 - 14:16)
Rather,

[Speaker 1] (14:16 - 14:20)
the unbroken chain of American sacrifice and service is what binds us together.

[Speaker 1] (14:21 - 14:24)
Our personal or political differences are secondary.

[Speaker 1] (14:25 - 14:27)
President Bush hit on it.

[Speaker 1] (14:28 - 14:31)
They represent the best of our country.

[Speaker 1] (14:31 - 14:33)
Katie hit on it too.

[Speaker 1] (14:35 - 14:41)
Stories of fellow Americans committing to something greater than their own self-interest reminds us of who we are,

[Speaker 1] (14:41 - 14:44)
the values that define our national character,

[Speaker 1] (14:44 - 14:48)
the qualities that have enabled us to build a society,

[Speaker 1] (14:48 - 14:49)
however flawed,

[Speaker 1] (14:49 - 14:52)
based on the dignity of all people.

[Speaker 1] (14:53 - 14:55)
In late December of 1967,

[Speaker 1] (14:56 - 15:01)
a new POW was brought to American soldier Bud Day's cell in Vietnam.

[Speaker 3] (15:03 - 15:04)
This one was strapped to a board,

[Speaker 3] (15:04 - 15:06)
his body broken,

[Speaker 3] (15:07 - 15:09)
bayonet injuries untreated.

[Speaker 3] (15:10 - 15:12)
But Jay didn't think the guy would live.

[Speaker 3] (15:13 - 15:17)
I've seen some dead that looked at least as good," he said.

[Speaker 3] (15:18 - 15:20)
Until Bud caught his eyes.

[Speaker 3] (15:21 - 15:22)
His eyes,

[Speaker 3] (15:22 - 15:23)
Bud said,

[Speaker 3] (15:23 - 15:26)
I'll never forget were just burning bright.

[Speaker 3] (15:29 - 15:32)
I started to get the feeling he was going to make it.

[Speaker 3] (15:33 - 15:39)
Those burning bright eyes belonged to none other than Navy Lieutenant Commander John Sidney McCain III.

[Speaker 3] (15:40 - 15:42)
The rest of McCain's story is well known,

[Speaker 3] (15:42 - 15:48)
but that fire in McCain's eyes was a uniquely American fire,

[Speaker 3] (15:48 - 15:55)
inspired by a long history of courage and commitment to human freedom.

[Speaker 3] (15:56 - 16:00)
The same fire burned at Valley Forge, Antietam,

[Speaker 3] (16:00 - 16:01)
the Argonne Forest,

[Speaker 3] (16:02 - 16:03)
Omaha Beach,

[Speaker 3] (16:04 - 16:05)
Pork Chop Hill,

[Speaker 3] (16:05 - 16:08)
Khe Sanh, and Fallujah.

[Speaker 3] (16:09 - 16:20)
It is the fire of sacrifice and we are here today to honor it and to the extent that we are able to use it as inspiration in our own lives of service.

[Speaker 3] (16:21 - 16:23)
to our families, our communities,

[Speaker 3] (16:23 - 16:27)
as we work to bridge the divides in our country,

[Speaker 3] (16:27 - 16:32)
we must never forget that we are the heirs of that fire.

[Speaker 3] (16:33 - 16:38)
The spark lives within each of us as Americans.

[Speaker 3] (16:39 - 16:42)
Our charge is to light it.

[Speaker 3] (16:42 - 16:43)
Thank you.

[Speaker 2] (16:54 - 16:59)
It's now my pleasure to call forward Gail Bastrop to sing America.

[Speaker 4] (17:08 - 17:11)
Please feel free to join me such a beautiful song

[Speaker 4] (17:21 - 17:21)
Four.

[Speaker 2] (18:32 - 18:33)
keynote speaker today,

[Speaker 2] (18:34 - 18:43)
Brigadier General Tom Sellers served as Commanding General of the Massachusetts Commanding Land Component Commander for the Massachusetts Army National Guard where

[Speaker 2] (18:44 - 18:49)
he was responsible for training preparedness and mobilization of Army forces in Massachusetts

[Speaker 2] (18:50 - 18:56)
in support of their war fighting mission and as Joint Task Force Commander for a large number of state emergencies

[Speaker 2] (18:57 - 18:59)
In support of civil authorities,

[Speaker 2] (18:59 - 19:03)
Brigadier General Sellers, his awards include the Distinguished Service Medal,

[Speaker 2] (19:04 - 19:04)
the Legion of Merit,

[Speaker 2] (19:05 - 19:07)
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters,

[Speaker 2] (19:08 - 19:10)
Joint Service Commendation Medal,

[Speaker 2] (19:10 - 19:13)
Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters,

[Speaker 2] (19:13 - 19:15)
Air Force Commendation Medal,

[Speaker 2] (19:15 - 19:17)
and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

[Speaker 2] (19:19 - 19:37)
He's also he's the president of the board for a military friends foundation Which was kind enough to sponsor the flag display on Monument Ave today for the week and I or for that we do every year and I think I've had an opportunity to work with him and see it He's just he's an incredibly inspiring individual.

[Speaker 2] (19:37 - 19:40)
I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact you started off as enlisted sir

[Speaker 2] (19:42 - 19:46)
The ladies and gentlemen proud to have him here with us today general Tom Sellers

[Speaker 2] (19:54 - 19:54)
Before I begin,

[Speaker 2] (19:54 - 19:54)
I want to

[Speaker 1] (19:54 - 19:58)
I want to recognize those two young ladies and their beautiful voices.

[Speaker 1] (19:58 - 20:00)
So please give them another round of applause.

[Speaker 1] (20:02 - 20:06)
I would not attempt something like that just for public safety,

[Speaker 1] (20:06 - 20:11)
because it more likely than not that this building would come tumbling down.

[Speaker 1] (20:12 - 20:14)
But ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests,

[Speaker 1] (20:14 - 20:15)
fellow veterans,

[Speaker 1] (20:15 - 20:18)
Gold Star families and citizens of Swampscott.

[Speaker 1] (20:19 - 20:20)
Good morning.

[Speaker 1] (20:20 - 20:25)
It's a profound honor to be here in a beautiful town by the sea.

[Speaker 1] (20:25 - 20:32)
I'm always amazed as I come down and kind of pass through the town hall and get right to that kind of the seawall there.

[Speaker 1] (20:32 - 20:33)
It's just a great area.

[Speaker 1] (20:34 - 20:37)
But I'm Brigadier General Tom Solis, as was mentioned.

[Speaker 1] (20:37 - 20:39)
I'm United States Army retired.

[Speaker 1] (20:39 - 20:42)
I'm also the president of the Military Friends Foundation,

[Speaker 1] (20:43 - 20:44)
which is located right here in Swampskill.

[Speaker 1] (20:45 - 20:53)
And I'll tell you the community has embraced the foundation and assist us in many ways and I appreciate that very much and sincerely do.

[Speaker 1] (20:54 - 21:04)
But above all, I'm humbly standing before you as a fellow American to speak on the true cost of freedom.

[Speaker 1] (21:05 - 21:07)
Today we don't gather to celebrate,

[Speaker 1] (21:07 - 21:09)
today we gather to remember.

[Speaker 1] (21:10 - 21:18)
Memorial Day was born from the wounds of the Civil War when citizens first decorated the graves of the fallen.

[Speaker 1] (21:19 - 21:21)
Massachusetts has always been at the heart of that tradition.

[Speaker 1] (21:22 - 21:26)
From Lexington Green through the Global War on Terror.

[Speaker 1] (21:27 - 21:34)
Swampscott's own monuments and honor rolls stretch from the Revolution to that Global War on Terror.

[Speaker 1] (21:35 - 21:42)
They're more than just bronze and stone. They are silent witnesses to your town's character and history,

[Speaker 1] (21:43 - 21:44)
and most importantly,

[Speaker 1] (21:44 - 21:45)
contribution.

[Speaker 1] (21:46 - 21:48)
These names were once your neighbors,

[Speaker 1] (21:49 - 21:49)
students,

[Speaker 1] (21:50 - 21:50)
friends,

[Speaker 1] (21:51 - 21:51)
and family.

[Speaker 1] (21:53 - 21:55)
Today they speak to us.

[Speaker 1] (21:55 - 21:59)
They remind us that liberty that we enjoy is not a birthright.

[Speaker 1] (22:00 - 22:04)
but a debt that we must constantly repay.

[Speaker 1] (22:05 - 22:09)
I think often of the men and women I served with in Iraq.

[Speaker 1] (22:10 - 22:11)
I remember the raw,

[Speaker 1] (22:11 - 22:14)
quiet courage I witnessed daily,

[Speaker 1] (22:15 - 22:18)
courage that didn't come from a textbook or a lesson taught,

[Speaker 1] (22:19 - 22:21)
but from a profound commitment to one another.

[Speaker 1] (22:22 - 22:26)
They were the sons and daughters of towns exactly like this one.

[Speaker 1] (22:27 - 22:31)
People who simply believed in something greater than themselves.

[Speaker 1] (22:32 - 22:33)
As a commander,

[Speaker 1] (22:33 - 22:40)
I learned early the cost of war isn't found in strategy or territory gained.

[Speaker 1] (22:40 - 22:43)
It's found in the empty chairs at the dinner table.

[Speaker 1] (22:44 - 22:47)
It's found in gold star banners in windows.

[Speaker 1] (22:48 - 22:51)
In the strength of spouses raising children alone.

[Speaker 1] (22:51 - 22:59)
and in the lifelong weight carried by those who did not come home and the comrades that did not.

[Speaker 1] (23:00 - 23:02)
That is the price of our democracy,

[Speaker 1] (23:02 - 23:04)
the price of freedom.

[Speaker 1] (23:05 - 23:11)
These brave souls gave their tomorrows so that we could have our today's.

[Speaker 1] (23:11 - 23:13)
To the Gold Star families here,

[Speaker 1] (23:13 - 23:17)
I know that for you, every day is Memorial Day.

[Speaker 1] (23:18 - 23:19)
Your loved ones are not forgotten.

[Speaker 1] (23:20 - 23:24)
Their service is not an abstract concept to us.

[Speaker 1] (23:24 - 23:26)
We stand with you,

[Speaker 1] (23:26 - 23:31)
we grieve with you, and we promise to carry their legacy forward.

[Speaker 1] (23:32 - 23:33)
To my fellow veterans,

[Speaker 1] (23:34 - 23:41)
thank you for your service and for your resilience you show every day.

[Speaker 1] (23:43 - 23:44)
To the young people here,

[Speaker 1] (23:44 - 23:45)
look

[Speaker 1] (23:46 - 23:50)
at the monuments and the flags around you.

[Speaker 1] (23:50 - 23:52)
This is your inheritance.

[Speaker 1] (23:52 - 23:53)
Guard it well.

[Speaker 1] (23:54 - 23:56)
Freedom requires constant,

[Speaker 1] (23:57 - 23:58)
active defenders,

[Speaker 1] (23:58 - 24:03)
whether immune of them or engaged in your local community.

[Speaker 1] (24:05 - 24:08)
Looked on Monument Ave at the field of heroes.

[Speaker 1] (24:09 - 24:11)
I hope you had an opportunity to see that today.

[Speaker 1] (24:11 - 24:13)
I spent a few minutes there this morning myself,

[Speaker 1] (24:14 - 24:15)
and I was quite impressed.

[Speaker 1] (24:17 - 24:22)
Bit of a shining spot in Swampscott despite the weather this morning.

[Speaker 1] (24:24 - 24:29)
But they stand in formation today just as our fallen once stood.

[Speaker 1] (24:29 - 24:31)
Silent, disciplined,

[Speaker 1] (24:31 - 24:32)
and powerful.

[Speaker 1] (24:33 - 24:36)
Let us live our lives worthy of their sacrifice.

[Speaker 1] (24:37 - 24:42)
Let us teach our children the true meaning of gratitude and service.

[Speaker 1] (24:43 - 24:45)
May God bless the memory of our fallen.

[Speaker 1] (24:46 - 24:49)
May he watch over those who currently serve.

[Speaker 1] (24:49 - 24:52)
And may God forever bless the United States of America.

[Speaker 1] (24:53 - 24:53)
Thank you.

[Speaker 2] (25:07 - 25:09)
Thank you very much, General Stokes.

[Speaker 2] (25:09 - 25:09)
Thank you very much.

[Speaker 2] (25:13 - 25:18)
You know, consistent with what we've been talking about a little bit, or I've been talking, I'm not going to want a microphone,

[Speaker 2] (25:18 - 25:32)
about teaching our children about the intergenerational responsibility we have to ensure that that next generation knows whether they serve or not because less than one half of one percent of this country wears a uniform now.

[Speaker 2] (25:33 - 25:40)
that we know as a community to teach our children that that's a service that needs to be honored, that as you mentioned,

[Speaker 2] (25:40 - 25:40)
sir,

[Speaker 2] (25:40 - 25:42)
requires that it be honored.

[Speaker 2] (25:42 - 25:52)
And I think here in Swamp Scott I can think of no better example of when I talked about the Scouts earlier in the back, he's taller than everybody now.

[Speaker 2] (25:53 - 25:55)
Adrian Laporte, if I could get a round of applause for Adrian real quick.

[Speaker 2] (26:04 - 26:11)
Most of us know there's a cannon here in the cemetery that was in need of some repair and we've been trying to figure out a way to get it done for a long time.

[Speaker 2] (26:13 - 26:14)
It still was in need of repair.

[Speaker 2] (26:17 - 26:26)
Adrian went out there with his Eagle Scout project and if you go out there please I encourage you if the rain's too much today go out there sometime soon check it out.

[Speaker 2] (26:27 - 26:32)
It's just incredible. The wheels have been refurbished. They coordinated with someone in Pennsylvania to do the wheels.

[Speaker 2] (26:32 - 26:34)
He's refurbished so much of that.

[Speaker 2] (26:34 - 26:35)
It looks so much.

[Speaker 2] (26:35 - 26:38)
It was a World War II French cannon.

[Speaker 2] (26:38 - 26:44)
And around it are the stones of World War I veterans from the town of Swanscott,

[Speaker 2] (26:45 - 26:47)
many of whom served in the Yankee Division,

[Speaker 2] (26:48 - 26:48)
as you know,

[Speaker 2] (26:48 - 26:52)
which I was proud to serve in Afghanistan with.

[Speaker 2] (26:52 - 26:59)
And I think that that's how we, instead of saying that we remember how we remember how we turn that into action.

[Speaker 2] (27:00 - 27:04)
And I want to one more time on behalf of the community and the veterans in the, and pretty soon, yeah, thank you.

[Speaker 2] (27:11 - 27:13)
Not only for doing that, but for the reason you do it,

[Speaker 2] (27:13 - 27:17)
he's heading off to VMI this year for college. So one more time for AJ, I'm going to make you a quick clap again.

[Speaker 2] (27:23 - 27:31)
And hopefully before he leaves, the Rotary has done a great job. They're going to put a stone there. They're going to fund a stone there that lists all the veterans that are buried in that particular area.

[Speaker 2] (27:31 - 27:33)
So stay tuned for that.

[Speaker 2] (27:33 - 27:35)
But I think that none of that would have happened if it weren't for the work of Adrian.

[Speaker 2] (27:35 - 27:36)
So thank you so much.

[Speaker 1] (27:37 - 27:38)
Thank you.

[Speaker 2] (27:38 - 27:39)
One more time.

[Speaker 2] (27:39 - 27:39)
Give him a hand.

[Speaker 2] (27:45 - 27:49)
So and now I this is one of my favorite parts of any program where.

[Speaker 2] (27:49 - 27:51)
Well, we play the medley of service songs.

[Speaker 2] (27:52 - 27:54)
So as you hear the song,

[Speaker 2] (27:54 - 27:59)
if you recognize it, I will say it so in case you don't recognize it, you'll know it.

[Speaker 2] (28:00 - 28:07)
But whether you serve in the military or you have a family member that you're here supporting that served in the military, we ask that you stand if you can,

[Speaker 2] (28:07 - 28:10)
if not raise your hand while that service song is played.

[Speaker 2] (28:10 - 28:12)
So ladies and gentlemen, the medley of service songs.

[Speaker 2] (28:22 - 28:23)
United States Army.

[Speaker 1] (29:45 - 29:46)
The United States Marine Corps.

[Speaker 1] (31:58 - 32:02)
I want to mention from Swampscott, Lynn's school committee member,

[Speaker 1] (32:03 - 32:04)
Tristan Smith, is here. Thank you for being here, Tristan.

[Speaker 1] (32:14 - 32:20)
It's now my pleasure to call forward Henry Schneider from the Boy Scouts,

[Speaker 1] (32:20 - 32:22)
and he's going to read a poem.

[Speaker 1] (32:22 - 32:25)
In honor of our 250th birthday as a nation,

[Speaker 1] (32:26 - 32:27)
the Concord Hymn.

[Speaker 2] (32:30 - 32:33)
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

[Speaker 2] (32:34 - 32:36)
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled.

[Speaker 2] (32:36 - 32:41)
Here once the embattled farmer stood And fired the shot heard round the world.

[Speaker 2] (32:41 - 32:44)
The foe long since in silence slept,

[Speaker 2] (32:44 - 32:52)
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

[Speaker 2] (32:53 - 32:54)
On this green bank,

[Speaker 2] (32:54 - 32:55)
by this soft stream,

[Speaker 2] (32:55 - 33:00)
We set today a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem,

[Speaker 2] (33:00 - 33:02)
When like our sires our sons are gone.

[Speaker 2] (33:03 - 33:07)
Spirit that made those heroes dare to die and leave their children free,

[Speaker 2] (33:07 - 33:13)
Bid time and nature gently spare the shaft we raise to them and thee.

[Speaker 1] (33:30 - 33:30)
America has fallen.

[Speaker 1] (33:31 - 33:34)
I'd like to call forward Jacqueline Raymond,

[Speaker 1] (33:34 - 33:37)
Gold Star Mother of Army Specialist Jared Raymond,

[Speaker 1] (33:38 - 33:39)
and Raymond Harris,

[Speaker 1] (33:39 - 33:43)
Gold Star Father of Captain Jennifer Harris, for

[Speaker 1] (33:46 - 33:51)
a moment of silence and lay a wreath in honor of the fallen.

[Speaker 1] (34:14 - 34:15)
Please, please follow

[Speaker 7] (34:15 - 34:25)
by taps.

[Speaker 1] (34:25 - 34:28)
I now ask you to please join us, please rise,

[Speaker 1] (34:29 - 34:31)
join us in a moment of silence, followed

[Speaker 1] (34:36 - 34:36)
by taps.

[Speaker 3] (37:26 - 37:31)
For all of us who have gathered for the remembrances and reflections,

[Speaker 3] (37:31 - 37:36)
help us go forth from this place in peace.

[Speaker 3] (37:37 - 37:49)
Help us go forth from this place with a deeper understanding and desire to live our lives in service and in sacrifice to others.

[Speaker 3] (37:50 - 37:52)
For we give you thanks, we give you praise.

[Speaker 3] (37:53 - 37:56)
We give you thanks for all of the soldiers,

[Speaker 3] (37:56 - 38:00)
men and women who served and died for this great nation.

[Speaker 3] (38:00 - 38:03)
In hope we wait.

[Speaker 3] (38:03 - 38:05)
In peace we wait.

[Speaker 3] (38:06 - 38:14)
For we too shall dwell with them in your eternal habitations. We give you thanks and praise this day.

[Speaker 1] (38:23 - 38:24)
This concludes our program.

[Speaker 1] (38:24 - 38:29)
The VFW Post 1240 has invited everybody back to the Post for a coalition today.

[Speaker 1] (38:30 - 38:32)
With that, I would ask once again,

[Speaker 1] (38:32 - 38:37)
preaching to the choir in a place like this seems redundant,

[Speaker 1] (38:37 - 38:40)
but I would say that I know that this room will move forward.

[Speaker 1] (38:41 - 38:45)
I think that's what we need to do is make sure that our friends and family understand what Memorial Day is all about.

[Speaker 1] (38:46 - 38:49)
Moments like this. Please feel free to...

[Speaker 1] (38:50 - 38:51)
Check out Dunno Monument Ave for the,

[Speaker 1] (38:51 - 38:56)
it's just, it's inspiring and I thank you for being here and I'll see everyone on Veterans Day.