This past Memorial Day, I made an impassioned speech regarding support for our troops in Iraq and around the world.
My belief is that some people have misinterpreted the meaning of these remarks because of their contemporary nature, and, therefore, have been insulted by what I said.
I am truly sorry for any inadvertent hurt or confusion I may have caused.
Most of my remarks have been printed in the Lakeshore Chronicle, and if you refer to them, you will see that my intent was to draw a strong contrast between the fact that though US citizens are upset with many current events in our country (i.e. skyrocketing energy prices, US jobs being exported overseas, and out of control health care costs), we, the people of America, still strongly support our troops in “harms way”.
To quote from my remarks, I said (in regard to the president and congress no longer having the trust of the majority of Americans), “Is this because we have become a nation of unpatriotic people? Is it because we no longer support our troops? Is it because modern-day Americans no longer have that special staying power to keep us in a difficult mission for the long haul?” The answer is assuredly “no” to all three of these questions.”
Later in the same speech I came to the conclusion that “…the fact that the president’s popularity has waned significantly does not mean that we are not patriots. It certainly does not mean that we don’t support our troops in harm’s way around the world. And it doesn’t mean that we’re not up to the hard work of making America, Iraq and the world a better place.”
Finally, my closing remarks requested that “God bless our troops in Iraq and around the world. God bless America’s veterans here and gone. God bless all of us gathered here today. And please God, bless America.”
My staunch support for our veterans and our country has been demonstrated over the years by my presence and comments at hundreds of events like the Gold Star Mothers and Families Banquets, National Day of Prayer Programs, Veterans’ Day Ceremonies, Independence Day Activities, Veterans’ and Veterans’ Auxiliary functions, and Memorial Day Parades and ceremonies.
Further, as much as any American, I recognize the debt we owe our veterans who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we all enjoy today. Those men and women and their families are the pillars of our way of life, and are deserving of our focus and attention on Memorial Day and every day. The implicit intention of my remarks was that our veterans, through their courage and sacrifice, guaranteed the inalienable rights we enjoy today. In turn, we, as citizens, have the obligation and duty to vigilantly participate in government and continue the protection of those hard won rights. It dishonors our veterans for us to sit idly by, and take our freedoms for granted.
This search for support of our troops was never meant to detract from the focus of reflecting on the significant sacrifices of our veterans or this year’s solemn observance of Memorial Day. If it did, I once again humbly apologize.
I hope this letter clears up any misconceptions about the content of my remarks this past Memorial Day. Once again, and as always: “God bless our troops in Iraq and around the world. God bless America’s veterans here and gone. God bless all of us. And please God, bless America.”
