Message from Commissioner Aaronson

The following pictures and accompanying words were given to me and I would like to share them with you today.

REMEMBER

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us the FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us the FREEDOM OF SPEECH
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the RIGHT TO VOTE
It is the VETERAN who salutes the flag, It is the VETERAN who served under the flag,
It is the VETERAN whose coffin is draped by the flag.

REMEMBER

So when you see a VETERAN, speak to him with pride.
Remember for your freedom many thousands died.
Shake his hand and salute him, have a kind word to say,
for when you see a VETERAN, you see the U.S.A.

REMEMBER

In 2003, Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington DC. ABC Evening News reported that the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, “No Way, Sir!”

Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year since 1930.

REMEMBER

There are thousands of men and women currently serving in the armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Korea, the United States and many other places. They are our future VETERANS. On Veterans Day, we must honor, thank and remember all VETERANS, past and present. Anything less is unthinkable.