All across the country Thursday, November 11, Americans took time to thank military veterans for serving our country. The Resource Center was no different, as people gathered at the agency’s Michael J. Raymond Center for a service and reception honoring TRC employees who served in the Armed Forces.
With the Honor Guard from the Lakewood American Legion standing at attention, the event began with an introduction from Paul Fardink, TRC’s Executive Liaison for Outcomes Management and Manufacturing Support. Paul, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years of service, was the driving force behind TRC’s first salute to veterans last year.
John Graham, who receives supports from TRC and enjoys singing, led those in attendance in the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Next, TRC Executive Director Paul Cesana shared his thoughts. “I’m happy that many of you were able to be here and be recognized,” he said. “It’s not easy to leave your family and hometown to answer our country’s call. Thank you for the service that you have provided.”
Paul Fardink then shared his personal experiences from the days of the Vietnam War, in which many of his friends gave their lives. That war was unpopular among many on the home front - Paul remembered marching in an Armed Forces parade in New York City in 1969 and having onlookers throw eggs and tomatoes at him and his fellow servicemen. While those days have passed, he said that most Americans today do not think to thank veterans for their service. Paul then read from a prepared speechL
“We say ‘thank you’ when a store clerk hands us change. We wave ‘thank you’ when a motorist yields us the right of way. We thank our friends when they pay us compliments. If you think about it, we probably use the words ‘thank you’ or some variation of it at least a dozen times a day. But, how do you thank someone who is a veteran?”
“When you ask young men and women to endure great hardships, drastically change their lifestyles and possibly give their lives for you, the words ‘thank you’ seem woefully insufficient.
“Simply put, we owe them a debt that can never be re-paid. Fortunately, veterans don’t ask for much. Benefits are a mere drop in the bucket compared to the financial and human cost of war. But, nonetheless, we still owe them.
“What is this call to duty? Have you ever considered its impact on our modern world, or to our nation’s history? The call to duty, like love, cannot be seen, but is just as real. And it is manifested as love – for country, honor and freedom. Any parent would lay down his life willingly to save his child, but those who answer the call to duty do so willingly for the children of others, for the families of others, in service to those faceless, nameless people they will never know.
“You cannot fight a war without veterans, and while the utopian idea of society without war is indeed appealing, let us not forget that wars have liberated slaves, stopped genocide and toppled terrorists. Regardless of your political views, I think we might all agree, that without our veterans, America would not be America.
“Not all veterans have seen war, but a common bond that they share is an oath in which they expressed their willingness to defend our great nation.
“The greatest wars are the battles that America does not have to fight because those who wish us harm slink away in fear of the Coast Guard cutter, the Naval aircraft carrier or the Marine and Army soldiers on patrol.
“While we are happy to be here today to express our appreciation for our veterans, true appreciation is expressed through deeds – not words. Please thank TRC’s veterans who stand here today before you. Thank those who could not be here to share in this salute. And when you see them, please thank today’s current service members for the sacrifices that they are making for America.
“In the words of the great poet Walt Whitman:
The moon gives us light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music,
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.
“God bless you all for being here, God bless our veterans and God bless America. And a special ‘thank you’ to Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 and The Resource Center.”
Nancy Ingram, Assistant Executive Director for Service Operations, organized the event. She said she learned recently that many Vietnam War veterans are still bothered by the welcome home they did not receive from their country. She noted, however, that many Americans today go to airports to greet planeloads of active-duty servicemen and women and thank them – people they don’t know – for serving our country.
“I just want to say to all of you, ‘Welcome home, and thank you.’”
Following the speeches, those in attendance enjoyed refreshments, and some took a tour of TRC’s Work Center to see some of the products the agency manufactures for America’s military forces. Veterans in attendance were given a TRC coffee mug, a TRC tote bag and a red, white and blue ribbon made by members of the Future Strivers group in TRC’s “Alternatives” Day Habilitation Program.
Guests in attendance at the event included Catherine Le Barron, Commander of the Chautauqua County American Legion; Celoron Mayor Jack Keeney; and Dick Kogut, a local man who served in World War II and the Korean War, and was a member of the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Click here for a list of TRC employees who are military veterans.