‘The words they leave to us’

‘The words they leave to us’

Posted : Saturday May 28, 2011 12:34:34 EDT
(The following is a speech given Thursday by Adm. James Stavridis, commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City where, as Stavridis said, “I humbly accepted this year’s Intrepid Freedom Award. The speech gives some of my thoughts on Memorial Day through letters written by some of the fallen and their families. Please share with me your reflections on this Memorial Day weekend.”)

I want to spend my few minutes tonight with you giving voice to those who cannot be with us. I want to share with you the voices of the fallen and their families.

I want to give voice to the men and women who have given their lives for this nation.

Together, across the years of our nation’s history, they answered the call.

They stood the watch.

They looked neither left nor right.

They did not search for an exit.

They walked steadily and unafraid into mortal danger, knowing all the risks and all the costs.
read more here
‘The words they leave to us’