Veterans Day, 2015 – an album by Barry Bauer
Veterans Day Speech 2015
By Keith E. Mino, Jr., Ph.D.I would like to begin by thanking you for joining us for this morning’s Veterans Day celebration. We celebrate this important day every year on the same date and at the same exact time for a very important reason. Many of you are familiar with the significance of the date and time of this ceremony but many of you are not.
It is critical for us to convey this important information to our youngest citizens so that they will become fully aware of the importance of the day and continue to celebrate it after we have departed this scene. They need to be prepared to pick up the torch which we will pass on to them, by either serving proudly and unselfishly in America’s Armed Forces, if called upon to do so, or by continuing to honor and fully appreciate the dedicated service and sacrifice of those who do serve.
Preserving this tradition is very much a part of being an American. As Americans, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those who have served in our Armed Forces and we must never fail to extend that gratitude to them.
The history of this important day began at the conclusion of the First World War. World War I came to a conclusion on November 11, 1918, when an armistice was signed at eleven o’clock in the morning, effectively establishing an end to four years of war. In order to recognize the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in that “War to End All Wars”, it was decided that the time and date of the signing of the armistice would be celebrated annually as Armistice Day.
Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1936. World War I had been so horrendous and had cost so many lives, absolutely nobody, could fathom another war ever being fought. Unfortunately, World War II and then the Korean War made it abundantly clear that the “War to End All Wars” had not ended war at all and therefore, it no longer made any sense, to celebrate it on November 11th as the “War to End All Wars.”
Thousands and thousands of brave Americans were called upon to continue the ongoing fight for liberty and freedom in World War II and Korea. The purpose of the day was broadened to recognize all who had ever served in our nation’s Armed Forces in 1954, when the day was designated as Veterans Day.
Since Veterans Day was established in 1954, thousands of Americans have served in various wars and conflicts around the globe and many are still serving, as we gather here this morning. On this important day we also celebrate their brave and unselfish service to our nation. May God watch over them and bring them home safely to us when their work is done.
Every year, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, citizens across America gather to recognize those who have served our country as members of the Armed Forces. This annual celebration is rich with historical significance. Those who are honored on this important day, through their unselfish sacrifices, have repeatedly stepped forward to establish, protect and preserve freedom, wherever and whenever that essential human right has been placed in jeopardy. Their motivation has remained unaltered throughout our history.
Simply put, they have loved America and what America represents, strongly enough, to place themselves, in harm’s way, when their country needed them to do so. In the process, many of them sacrificed their lives and those who survived were also forever changed, by the overwhelming adversity and horror which they experienced and so were their families.
Some gave all and all gave some. Freedom is most definitely not free and it never will be free. It comes at an enormous cost! Those who have been called upon to defend it have paid for it with their blood, sweat, tears and their lives, when that ultimate sacrifice became necessary.
On this day we celebrate the service of all who have ever worn the uniform of our nation regardless of where or when they served. Those who served in times of peace, through their dedicated and unselfish service, preserved that peace, by making themselves available to be sent into harm’s way if they were ever called upon to do so.
Those who serve in our Armed Forces, serve wherever they are sent and regardless of where they served we honor their service on this important day.Members of our Armed Forces have always been there when we needed them. When those brave men we now refer to as our Founding Fathers made the decision to fight for independence from England, they faced an enormous task. They knew that entering into a war with a world power like England would require tremendous sacrifice.
They knew that many who stepped forward to answer the call to fight for freedom would not live to enjoy that freedom. They were well aware that thousands of them would die on the battlefields where that revolution would be fought.
They knew that they were out numbered and that the weapons they would be carrying into battle were inferior to those the British would be using and yet they bravely and unselfishly marched into battle with their heads held high.
Their perseverance, in pursuit of freedom and their heroism in the face of adversity, has over the years, served as a shining example for all who have subsequently, worn the uniform of our nation. Our brave men and women in uniform have consistently demonstrated that same spirit of love for their country and willingness to fight for freedom over the past 239 years.
When their country called upon them to do so, they left the comfort and security of their homes and marched into battles and duty stations around the globe. They made the conscious and unselfish decision, that preserving and protecting freedom was worth everything they may be called upon to sacrifice, including life itself.
By putting on the uniform of our nation and doing everything they were called upon to do, they have given us the greatest nation in the world. They have given us a nation, which has served as a perpetual beacon of hope for humanity.
Throughout our history they have heroically and unselfishly made known to the world, that freedom is worth fighting for and that you can count on America to protect and preserve freedom wherever and whenever it is threatened.
Brave Americans have marched into battle in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War and the war, which is presently being fought throughout the Middle East. They have also fought in numerous other conflicts around the globe.
The world knows that America’s armed forces will be there if the need arises. We have kept our promises for the past 239 years. Members of our Armed Forces stand prepared as part of the “Arsenal of Democracy”, to do whatever they are called upon to do to protect and preserve freedom.
Fully realizing that freedom is not free, they have always been there to pay whatever price is deemed necessary to get the job done and they will march into the fray in the future, whenever they are called upon to do so.During the Battle of 1812 Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and part time poet witnessed the bombardment of Ft. McHenry, which was positioned to protect the Port of Baltimore from attack. All Americans know that Key documented his experience when he committed what he saw, to writing, in the form of the “Star Spangled Banner”, our National Anthem.
As dawn broke he observed that “Old Glory” was still flying and proudly wrote that it continued to wave “O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” When one considers the unselfish and heroic sacrifices of those who have given everything they had to defend America’s freedom it is clear that Scott could have easily modified his poem to read “O’er the Land of the Free because of the Brave.”
It is truly, because of those who stepped forward to wear the uniform of our nation that we are free and continue to this very day, to be a beacon of hope for the entire world.
As we celebrate Veteran’s Day 2015, we must renew our pledge to never forget what our veterans have sacrificed for us. We must always cherish their spirit of unselfish patriotism and the heroic sacrifices they have made and continue to make, on our behalf. They have given us a gift we must never take for granted. Freedom is not free and it never will be free.
Let us never forget the significance of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and collectively thank God on that date and hour that such brave and unselfish veterans were there for America and for the world when their courage and tenacity were needed.
May God Bless our Veterans and may God continue to Bless America! Thank you so very much for the support you have consistently demonstrated for our Veterans. Please remember to always reserve a place in your heart for them. They have earned it! Thank you so very much.
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Seeking funds for Wilson Center Auditorium renovation
Fundraising is now in full swing with the Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Committee seeking people, businesses and organizations who are willing to help restore this mid-Michigan historical gem here in St. Johns. This auditorium has great acoustics, sightlines and intimacy. It will become a viable entertainment venue for mid-Michigan residents for many, many years to come.
We have accomplished a lot so far, but we do have a ways to go. We hope that you will become involved in this restoration project with a tax deductible donation.
For a donation of $250, you can sponsor a seat having your name or that of someone else permanently engraved on a seat plaque.
For donations of $500 or more, you can have your name engraved on a special plaque being located in the auditorium lobby instead of sponsoring seats.
Please give as much as you can and help spread the word to help in this community effort. We hope that you will become involved in this exciting project.
City Manager’s Newsletter
City Commission Recognizes The Problem Of Homelessness: At its November 9th public meeting the St. Johns City Commission unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming November 14th through the 22nd “Homeless Awareness Week”. As was indicated by Commissioner Eric Hufnagel in his introductory remarks, homelessness is a pervasive problem in our society, and occurs even in small, relatively affluent towns like St. Johns.
The resolution as adopted points out how difficult homelessness can be for individuals and families, how important it is for members of local communities to support organizations that provide shelter, clothing and meals, and how crucial it is to establish affordable housing for those in the lower socio-economic strata. The resolution also recognizes the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness for its efforts in bringing this pressing problem to the attention of communities like ours through Homeless Awareness Week. Support groups specifically mentioned in the resolution include the Safe Center, Capital Area Community Services, St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Department of Health and Human Services, CEI Community Mental Health, and Beacon of Hope Family Care Center. The City Commission encourages all citizens to consider supporting these organizations as they provide services to the less
fortunate members of our communities.
Fire Truck Purchase: The City Commission approved the purchase of a new pumper/tanker fire truck for the St. Johns Volunteer Fire Department. This new piece of equipment will replace Engine 31, a 1990 Spartan Motors fire truck that has seen better days and has many recurring maintenance and repair issues. The new equipment is a 2,000 gallon capacity truck with CAFS, which uses a mixture of compressed air foam and water for fire suppression. This technology provides the equivalent of 10,000 gallons of firefighting capacity. These trucks are built to order and take 9-12 months for delivery.
In other Fire Department business, at its November 9th meeting the City Commission reappointed Dean Mazzolini to a two year term as Fire Chief per the City Fire Code.
Leaves – The End Is In Sight: City of St. Johns crews are out in the neighborhoods picking up and disposing of leaves that have been raked to the curbside by city residents. Because this is a labor-intensive effort, and requires both manpower and equipment, we recommend that leaves are either mulched or placed in paper lawn bags for curbside pickup. Raking leaves into the public street is a violation of City Code and could result in the responsible party receiving a civil infraction citation. The City provides packets of free leaf bags for residents. These bags can be picked up at the city offices, the city library or at the DPW site. Residents can also transport their leaves and other yard waste to the DPW compost site. The composting of the leaves accelerates when paper yard waste bags are utilized. A special thank you to those volunteer groups who have been assisting residents with the disposal of their leaves. It is through this type of volunteer efforts that make St Johns a great place to live.
A Resolution Proclaiming November 14-22 as Homeless Awareness Week
Whereas, for more than twenty years, the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and its partners have actively promoted Homeless Awareness Week throughout the state of Michigan; and Whereas, the purpose of the proclamation is to educate the public about the many reasons people are homeless including the shortage of affordable housing in the City of St. Johns for very low income residents; and to encourage support for homeless assistance service providers as well as community service opportunities for students and school service organizations; and
Whereas, there are many organizations committed to sheltering, providing supportive services as well as meals and food supplies to the homeless including: The Safe Center, Capital Area Community Services, St. Vincent
DePaul Society, Department of Health and Human Services, CEI Community Mental Health, Beacon of Hope Family Care Center; and
Whereas, the theme of Homeless Awareness Week 2015 is “Bringing America Home,” and
Whereas, the St. Johns City Commission recognizes that homelessness continues to be a serious problem for many individuals and families in and around the City of St. Johns; and
Whereas, the intent of Homeless Awareness Week is consistent with the activities of The Safe Center, Capital Area Community Services, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Department of Health and Human Services, CEI Community Mental Health, Beacon of Hope Family Care Center.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the St. Johns City Commission hereby proclaims November 14- 22, 2015, as Homeless Awareness Week.
Be It Further Resolved that the St. Johns City Commission encourages all citizens to recognize that many people do not have housing and need support from citizens, and private/public nonprofit service entities.
Rock Concert and Open Mic Nights coming – Beginning November 16
The Wilson Collective, a program that presents All-Ages Concerts and Events, will be sponsoring two programs during the coming week in the Wilson Center Auditorium.
The first in a series of Open Mic Nights at the Wilson Center onn Monday, November 16 starting at 7:00 p.m. “We want to present people with an opportunity to share with others – to do their thing,” says Rachael Short, one of the co-sponsors of the event along with Bill Tennant. “We’ve been talking about doing something like this in our community for over a year now; It’s nice to finally get it up and running.”
Come and tell a story, sing a song, recite a poem, talk about a piece of art, act out a monologue, do a TED type talk, show a video – just about any creative activity you’d like to do. “The microphone will be available for up to 10 minutes per person,” says Tennant. “We’re looking for writers, musicians, artists, actors, storytellers, etc, both students and adults to share in a friendly setting.”
There will be a $5 donation fee at the door, which will go towards the renovation of the auditorium. Listeners and presenters are both welcome. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in St. Johns.
The second event will be an All-Ages Rock Concert, featuring 3 sets of performers. This special concert will take place on Friday, November 20 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Wilson Center Auditorium. “We want to make contemporary music available to all, especially teens who normally aren’t able to attend live performances,” says Aidan Pope, one of the promoters of the event. “The concert also presents area performers with a place to perform. This is important to performers like myself.”
Performing on the All-Ages concert will be Aidan Pope, a senior at St. Johns High School, with a solo acoustic indie-folk set. Aidan is the leader of the band, “The American Automobile” and will be backed up on some songs by Nathan Elliott.
Next up will be Hailey Wojcik performing an electric-rock set. Hailey, a DeWitt native, just moved back into the area after living and performing in New York.
Januzzi Watchman, a 4 piece 90’s style indie-rock band will conclude the concert. This group features St. Johns resident, Dan Davenport and includes other mid-Michigan musicians Matt Berg, Jacob Jackson and Steve Swisher.
“This will be an exciting evening – a nice mix of various rock styles for our area residents to enjoy,” says Tennant. “Starting in January, The Wilson Collective will sponsor a series of additional concerts throughout the winter months. We’re hoping to inspire our community to become more vested in the local musical scene.”
There is a $5 admission charge for the concert, which will be collected at the door of the Wilson Center Auditorium, again located at 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns.
