CLEARFIELD – Annual Veterans Day services were held Tuesday morning on the front lawn of the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6.
Post Commander Betina Nicklas offered the welcome and opening remarks. The guest speaker for the services was Dr. C. Frederick Ralston.
Ralston expressed gratitude for the “high honor” of the legion’s invitation to speak on the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I and in the 95th year of the American Legion.
“We are summoned to this ground on this 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month to remember that: peace has a cost, that liberty requires constant attention and justice and mercy must prevail over chaos and hatred,” he said.
“In these few moments, we will be forever joined today by word and deed. Together, we summon from our memories the service and sacrifice of our men and women who were sent to war from our beloved community.”
By holding the services, he said veterans are honored by the traditional deeds of the laying of the wreath; observing the rifle volley; and listening with sad respect to the echoing strains of the Taps.
“…We salute those who gave up their lives in our noble struggle for freedom,” said Ralston. “They will only see their tomorrows in eternity and they can only share their common vision through us who benefited from their devotion to our United States.”
According to him, the reverence of their common vision lays within the words of the “timeless anthem” of 100 years ago, America the Beautiful. He said, “We hear those gallant words: ‘O beautiful for Patriot Dream that sees beyond the years…’”
He said for those who visualized the Patriot Dream in wars and conflicts long since fought, those future years have come upon them. “It’s now up to us to lift up the hope of our country and see its goodness and pass that hope on for future years.”
The Patriot Dream begins with the willingness of citizens to fulfill their covenant with each other by protecting the U.S. Constitution, said Ralston. This, he said, is achieved by ensuring citizens are treated justly, defending what is sacred to liberty and valuing peace as a means of achieving unity.
“In short, our Patriot Dream is best defined in the Preamble to the Constitution, [where] we hear phrases and words like: ‘We the People of the United States…,’” said Ralston.
“…Those words were confirmed on Bunker Hill, in the wheat field of Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Belleau Wood, Midway, Iwo Jima, our own coastlines, Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sanh, in the sands of Iraq and in the mountains of Afghanistan.
“It was the same Patriot Dream that was confirmed by those who lie in our cemeteries and those who rest at the bottom of the sea. And, it is the same dream for those who came and continue to come home and build a nation.”
In closing, Ralston paid tribute to the heroes who steadfastly kept and continue to keep the Patriot Dream alive beyond the years. Additionally, he paid tribute to the Gold Star Mothers who saw their sons and daughters go off to war and who remember and wept in their loss.
“They perhaps understand the Patriot Dream more fully than anyone,” he said. “…A dream that says we are a strong people that embraces liberty. They would tell you to take up the dream for there is much to do for our children and their children that see beyond the years.”
Regardless of being in the military or civilians, Ralston said the dream starts with “We the People…” He asked area citizens to thank veterans for their service and the opportunity to continue “our dream” that sees beyond the years.
