Haddonfield Today 020_2018Jun01

38 | haddonfield.today
The Last Word
#020 • JUNE 1 TO 15, 2018
‘For love of country
they accepted death ...’
By Mayor Neal Rochford
On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the community of Haddonfield, I thank
you all for being here on Memorial Day 2018. In particular, I thank Commander Peter
Hill and members of American Legion Post 38 for sponsoring this ceremony, and Past
Commander Tom Baird for organizing it.
Memorial Day is the day we honor those who died while serving in our country’s
armed forces, and remember the sacrifices they made to protect our way of life.
While many families will celebrate the start of summer today, other families will pay
solemn visits to cemeteries to honor their loved ones, to reflect on their bravery, on
their dedication for our freedom, and on their unselfish sacrifices.
Former President Harry S. Truman
once said, “America was not built on
fear. America was built on courage,
on imagination and an unbeatable
determination to do the job at hand.”
Because the lives of so many who
paid the ultimate price was exemplified
by courage, imagination, and
determination, we can live not in fear,
but in hope.
American values call on us to protect
the homeland and be a beacon to
others around the world, especially in
times of great need. American values
At Post 38, bugler Tom Reiter, and (from right)
Mayors Kasko, Rochford, Tarditi, and Colombi.
call on us to intervene where there is
strife, hunger, or natural disaster. We
do not wish to conquer or exploit
other lands … only to bring peace and
promote justice.
The world is a dangerous place that many would like to destabilize and terrorize
for their own evil ends. Sometimes, we must call on the men and women of our armed
forces take action in pursuit of our values. Even though it may put them at great risk,
they do not flinch from their duty. As
members of the greatest fighting force
in the world, they have shown time and
time again that they are up to the task of
promoting the ideals that have made this
nation great.
President Truman also said: “And for
love of country they accepted death,
and thus resolved all doubts, and made
immortal their patriotism and virtue.”
For many of us, the loss of a loved one
never goes away. The empty chair will
always remain empty. We will never feel
whole again. We salute those who never
came back, and console their families for their loss, and for what might have been.
As a nation, we must continue to seek peace and a just world. Let us show the world
that although it may have a terrible cost, freedom is worth fighting for.
To those who served in the armed forces and now suffer physical and mental pain,
we wish you the best care and a full recovery.
To those with family members in the armed forces – at home or abroad – we wish
your loved ones a safe and speedy return.
May God bless America.