Veterans Day Speech Morgan Owen When I was notified that Ms.

Andersen and myself were chosen for the Normandy Institute, it was the happiest moment of my life. I was honored to be one of fifteen 15 student/teacher teams chosen for this program and even more honored to represent the state of California, and our community. I also thought that I would have the time of my life, I was going to France! // I had no idea how much I would grow from this experience. Right away the work began and it was at an astonishing pace. // I learned how the Allies disarmed mines in the English Channel, I learned about the French Resistance, I discovered a regiment of norwegians that fought on skis, but most importantly I learned about the sacrifices people made for their countries and the innumerable ways they made them. While there was a lot of work, I found myself engrossed in the studies, as I started to form a connection with the people who lived through this war. Instead of history being dates in a book it was becoming real for me. Towards the end of my research, I was given the task to research a single fallen soldier. By the end of the institute, he became MY soldier. His name was Roy. 1st Lieutenant Roy Eisele became part of my life. I started to imagine what he was like, what he would think while flying his plane, how he felt being separated from his new bride. Discovering Roy was a very emotional experience for me, and he continues to be with me in my heart every day. He has had an incredible impact on my life and for that I owe him a debt of gratitude.

I want to share with you part of the eulogy I was honored to give at his grave site in Normandy: For me, June 12th, 1944 is a memorable day. June 12, was the day that the 350th bomber squadron of the 303rd bomb group conducted a mission containing various targets in France in which 1st Lt. Roy Eisele lost his life when his plane was hit by flak. In the ultimate scope of the war his death seems insignificant, however we must honor the life, and the death of this heroic man. Roy never had any children, but while he was in the service he married a woman named Audrey Young. Because of Roys heroism, his step-daughter felt compelled to serve her country as well. I never had the honor of meeting Roy Eisele, but I feel as though I have met him in spirit. It is hard to fathom this kind of connection that a person can have regarding someone who died so long ago. But he lived // he existed // and he will always be there as a warmth within my heart. Walking through the cemeteries, whether it was Arlington, Normandy, or even the British and German cemeteries in France - I felt as though I was in a dream. It was hard for me to grasp that there were soldiers buried beneath my feet. These were the very soldiers that I had come to know over the last 6 months. I revered them in my mind so that they had transcended their human existence. As I walked row by row in these cemeteries, reading the countless names, I couldnt help but feel sadness for the lives, the names and stories that have been lost to the test of time. As the pace of life begins to increase with each passing year, I realized how easy it is to forget, making it my responsibility, really, all of our responsibility to know and understand the price of freedom. In the months to come, I plan to continue my Fallen Soldier research by filling

in the pieces of the lives of Roys fellow crewman and Ms. Andersen plans to have her U.S. History students complete the same project, all in efforts to ensure that we never forget. I have always known that I want to serve my country, that it was the right thing to do, but I didnt know why. These veterans have taught me that giving myself to a cause is not about the political intrigue, or what our leaders decide our nations course should be, but that it is about being an American. Since the inception of this country our citizens have a national identity of what being American means: Putting your countrys needs before your own, honor before self. When one serves in our military you become the patriot - representing the American ideal - the service man or woman that would risk their own life defending our country. Serving ones country is the most selfless act that epitomizes love and loyalty. Ive learned that sacrifice is something that each soldier must come to grips with on their own. The physical sacrifice which soldiers endure is a true test of ones character. The grueling and arduous training which they must undergo, the hours of mental preparation are illustrations to their commitment to home and country. When a soldier goes into battle, they are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. There is nothing more honorable than to die ones country. This was something I knew before starting this institute, however researching Roy solidified it. We tend to think of sacrifices as those we see on the battlefield or the cemeteries filled with our fallen, but we often forget about the scars which are brought home. Our soldiers out there have seen countless horrors which they must carry with them for the rest of their lives. When we send young men and women out into combat, barely

entering adulthood, they cannot imagine the terrors which they will see. We must never forget this burden, this sacrifice, that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. We must welcome them warmly home and help them readjust and return to the lives they left behind. To many, courage may be seen as the medals on your chest or awards received, and certainly those demonstrate acts of valor. However, what I have discovered is that courage may not be an act, but is the ability to overcome fe ar. Mark Twain said, Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. Courage is leaving the comfort of home and your family to do what you feel is right. It is getting up every morning knowing that today you may have to watch your best friend die, you may have your platoon attacked and courage is even being there for a stranger as he dies. It is important to remember that Courage is not a trait exclusive to the soldier on the battlefield. Courage is the mother who says goodbye, th e father who watches their child take their first steps into adulthood. Courage is the sibling who writes a letter for destinations overseas, the family carrying on after a death, or during WWII, the woman at the telegraph office relaying bad news to a family. Courage is a national trait, we all have it, these soldiers exemplify it. The battles of wwi and wwii were different than the battles we see today. Our challenges and enemies have changed. The early 20th century brought conflict and wars that were not controversial, it was a global threat to humanity and it had to be dealt with. Now that we have grown as a nation, the issue of war has become more complex. Korea, vietnam, and the more recent affairs in iraq and afghanistan have had their

opposition. It is in this opposition that America has the opportunity to shine its brightest, the universal support of our troops regardless of your support of the conflict has been embraced by our people and it shows the best of our country. Let us not forget why we honor our veterans on the 11th day of the 11th month in the 11th hour. Today is Armistice Day, when leaders from around the world gathered together in 1918 to end a great war. The treaty to end World War One was signed in the hope that there would be a lasting world peace. It is not a coincidence that we honor our military on this day. The uniformed men and women that we honor today are our peacekeepers. They have given themselves to restoring peace in an imperfect world. It was said best at the dawn of our history by Cicero in 50 BC, The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquillity, servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death. Every member of the service, past and present should rest easy with the knowledge that as their story is told and as mine and your generations discovers their sacrifice, they will live on. It is our responsibility to make sure we continue to honor those who have served. It saddens me to know that every year there are fewer and fewer veterans for WWII and that within my lifetime the veterans of Korea and Vietnam will be gone. It is important that we preserve their stories, for WE are their legacy. I embrace this challenge and willingly take on the responsibility of keeping these stories alive. History seems to repeat itself in moments of forgetfulness. Let us learn from our past, support our troops today and uphold the ideals of our great country. Let us never forget that freedom is never free.