News
State Rep. Costello Reflects on a Day of Remembrance
November 11, 2011 - State Rep. Costello Newsletter
It was truly a pleasure to join with those gathered in Ormond Beach
on Veteran’s Day. And I remain humbled to have been given the
honor to speak at the Dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial in
honor of our Veterans who served in Vietnam!
As both a veteran and an elected official, Veteran’s Day is especially
meaningful. I well appreciate the sacrifices our veterans made to
protect our freedom. And I understand all too well the challenges we
continually face in protecting our hard fought for liberty from our
enemies … both foreign and domestic.
I was encouraged by a recent email to Google “National Debt” … you
will find about 18.5 million websites. Most deal with the very serious
issues of government overspending and the accumulation of federal
deficits. Yet very few bring up the biggest national debt of them all –
that which America owes to the fewer than 10% of Americans who
have earned the title “veteran.”
Some of you may have seen me get emotional at a Memorial Day
Remembrance or other special time, but I don’t usually get
embarrassed. While putting up my flag this morning … I became
embarrassed. I was silently grousing about the cold and it hit me
that I have no personal comprehension regarding what our men and
women who served in Vietnam experienced. Because although I am
proud to have served during that time, I never served in Vietnam.
Along with honoring all our veterans ... hopefully every day, let's all
show our appreciation to the Vietnam veterans to whom we gave
special honor this Veteran's Day in Ormond Beach! It is important to
remember that we entered into the Vietnam war with good intentions.
However, due to many factors and its duration, it became a very
unpopular war. But those who were called and honorably served
their country in Vietnam fulfilled their responsibility as a citizen. And
yet I am again embarrassed that many of our Vietnam veterans were
not received with due honor as they returned home. No matter what
one thought of the war, those veterans who came home to
widespread scorn fought for freedom in the Vietnam War just as
those veterans did who were gloriously received when they came
home from WW I and II. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices their
families endured were the same.
Let there be no doubt that we as a country have not given our
Vietnam veterans the respect and admiration they deserve for
accepting their call to duty. It was long overdue that we present a
Vietnam War memorial to honor those who served. I am grateful that
while Mayor of Ormond Beach I was able to play a part in facilitating
this memorial. According to the artist Gregory Johnson, "Our
memorial to the Vietnam vets looks like the weary soldier has finally
come home. Your memory of your lost loved one fills in the rest.”
How many of you lost a loved one in the Vietnam War? No matter
where you live, let this memorial forever be for them.
We must remember that through their blood, service and sacrifice,
veterans have given us freedom, security and the greatest nation on
earth. It is impossible to put a price on that. Let's hope all Americans
will heartily welcome home our returning soldiers with open arms.
We must remember them. We must appreciate them. And for our
returning veterans who volunteered to serve but come home with no
specific skills that translate into civilian employment, we must
educate, rehabilitate where necessary and find a way to employ
them. That is the best way we can thank them!
God bless our veterans, God bless the United States of America, and
Godspeed to all of you!
November 11, 2011 - State Rep. Costello Newsletter
It was truly a pleasure to join with those gathered in Ormond Beach
on Veteran’s Day. And I remain humbled to have been given the
honor to speak at the Dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial in
honor of our Veterans who served in Vietnam!
As both a veteran and an elected official, Veteran’s Day is especially
meaningful. I well appreciate the sacrifices our veterans made to
protect our freedom. And I understand all too well the challenges we
continually face in protecting our hard fought for liberty from our
enemies … both foreign and domestic.
I was encouraged by a recent email to Google “National Debt” … you
will find about 18.5 million websites. Most deal with the very serious
issues of government overspending and the accumulation of federal
deficits. Yet very few bring up the biggest national debt of them all –
that which America owes to the fewer than 10% of Americans who
have earned the title “veteran.”
Some of you may have seen me get emotional at a Memorial Day
Remembrance or other special time, but I don’t usually get
embarrassed. While putting up my flag this morning … I became
embarrassed. I was silently grousing about the cold and it hit me
that I have no personal comprehension regarding what our men and
women who served in Vietnam experienced. Because although I am
proud to have served during that time, I never served in Vietnam.
Along with honoring all our veterans ... hopefully every day, let's all
show our appreciation to the Vietnam veterans to whom we gave
special honor this Veteran's Day in Ormond Beach! It is important to
remember that we entered into the Vietnam war with good intentions.
However, due to many factors and its duration, it became a very
unpopular war. But those who were called and honorably served
their country in Vietnam fulfilled their responsibility as a citizen. And
yet I am again embarrassed that many of our Vietnam veterans were
not received with due honor as they returned home. No matter what
one thought of the war, those veterans who came home to
widespread scorn fought for freedom in the Vietnam War just as
those veterans did who were gloriously received when they came
home from WW I and II. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices their
families endured were the same.
Let there be no doubt that we as a country have not given our
Vietnam veterans the respect and admiration they deserve for
accepting their call to duty. It was long overdue that we present a
Vietnam War memorial to honor those who served. I am grateful that
while Mayor of Ormond Beach I was able to play a part in facilitating
this memorial. According to the artist Gregory Johnson, "Our
memorial to the Vietnam vets looks like the weary soldier has finally
come home. Your memory of your lost loved one fills in the rest.”
How many of you lost a loved one in the Vietnam War? No matter
where you live, let this memorial forever be for them.
We must remember that through their blood, service and sacrifice,
veterans have given us freedom, security and the greatest nation on
earth. It is impossible to put a price on that. Let's hope all Americans
will heartily welcome home our returning soldiers with open arms.
We must remember them. We must appreciate them. And for our
returning veterans who volunteered to serve but come home with no
specific skills that translate into civilian employment, we must
educate, rehabilitate where necessary and find a way to employ
them. That is the best way we can thank them!
God bless our veterans, God bless the United States of America, and
Godspeed to all of you!
| Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Fred Costello, Republican, for State Representative, District 26 |
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