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Senator Schneider's Tribute to Veterans

For some becoming a veteran was a path chosen,
for others
the path was chosen for them.
Once the journey of military service begins
one’s life is no longer one’s own,
Choices are replaced with commands,
certainty is the knowledge
that nothing is certain when it comes to one’s future.

For some
the journey is calm
but for many others it is riddled with struggle,
being separated from family and friends,
subjected to extreme, unpleasant conditions and hardships.
Some faced pain, starvation and even torture.
Often they are caught
in the middle
of unfathomable horror.

Through
all of their struggles
there are treasures found,
great bonds of camaraderie
which are
everlasting.
A unity in caring to preserve our
democracy,
our freedom
and having pride in serving others are the
shining pearls
of strength of character which are forged throughout these difficult periods.

Though we
as a people
are at times fragmented
in our support for conflicts and wars
in which our political leaders engage us.
Let it be known
with absolute
clarity
and true
assurance
we are in full support of our service men and women
and for their undying duty to uphold the values embodied in our constitution and Bill of Rights
which we all
so completely
cherish.

As I stand here with you today
let us all celebrate
the men
and women
past and present
who we owe a debt of gratitude we can never repay
for protecting our nation
and our very blessed freedoms.

So veterans
let the wave of our thanks flow over you
on this
your very special day
and all days to come.
Understand the love we have for our nation
we also have for you.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.
We honor and pay tribute to you
and are
forever grateful to you for your service to us.
We thank you from the very depths of our hearts.

Thank you.

Written and spoken by Senator Elizabeth M. Schneider
Taped and set to music by Thomas Osborne

Dedicated to Dick Grenier of Old Town, Maine,
who spent 33 months in a POW camp after he was shot several times and Darrell Savage of Lincoln, Maine, Commander of the American Legion there and has taught me much about veterans since I began serving in the Legislature