Believe in Something Bigger than Yourself

Another election day has come and gone and this is a good moment to express thanks to everyone who offered themselves as a candidate. Regardless of the outcome, as residents, we are fortunate to have had so many generously offer to share their time and talents to improve our city. 

I've suggested in this space before that Election Day is, and should always be, linked with Veterans Day because in my mind at least the latter makes the former possible. 

Veterans Day is this Monday. I wanted to revisit some words I've offered in past years for a traditional observance in Taftville's Memorial Park at 11 sponsored by the Frederick J. Sullivan VFW Post 2212 and Peter Gallan American Legion Post 104 commemorating this year the 101st Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

Memorial Park can be a little hard to find, tucked as it is into the corner of South Second Avenue and South B Street, but it's worth your effort. On Monday residents, civic groups, and veterans joined by elected leaders from all levels of government will gather to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of all who have been members of our armed forces. 

Among the guest speakers, this year is Commander Eric McDermott, U.S. Naval Reserves, whom you may know better as the Electric Operations Integrity Manager for Norwich Public Utilities. He was called to active duty for a year and deployed to the Republic of Djibouti, Africa, where he was responsible for Task Group 68-6. 

His story about leaving his family, friends, and community to serve his country despite the unknown risks and his subsequent return is deserving of your attention as is his example of selfless service to others.

We are a nation that has been at war for over a decade and a half. Some are weary. Some look at our nation’s history and wonder and worry about tomorrow and all its unknowns. We should be encouraged and not just a little inspired by the heroes and heroines in uniform, like Commander McDermott, among us who are making a difference every day so that we can live as we do despite the incessant assaults we endure.

It's a new world and a new way of war but those making the sacrifice are the old souls who have always borne the burden--not just those at Forward Operating Bases marked with dots on the map of countries we cannot always name, but all who whet the blade of the sword wielded in our name and in defense of everything we are and will ever be.

We are, I fear, more plagued by self-doubt as a country than at any time in many previous decades. There will always be light and dark, but we shall prevail because we must.  For anyone, anywhere, now, or then, in uniform who placed service over self, whenever and where that is and was, thank you.

Sometimes we forget the very words of thanks we meant to say but as long as we don't forget those who earned that gratitude, we shall always be worthy of their sacrifice.

-bill kenny