Amelia County Virginia - Official Site

Thomas E. Harris

- County Administrator

AMELIA COUNTY VETERANS CEMETERY DEDICATION SERVICE:

The following speech was delivered at the Amelia Veterans Cemetery where patients from McQuire Hospital and their friends conducted a Bike Ride to honor those brave men and women who gave the last full measure to the Country they so loved.

VETERAN’S APPRECIATION BIKE RIDE: A PRAYER FOR THE SACRIFICES OF OUR VETERANS

By, Thomas E. Harris
September 14, 2008

As County Administrator I stand before you to formally welcome you to Amelia County on behalf of the Honorable Franklin D. Harris and the Amelia County Board of Supervisors; Represented today by the Honorable Ellsworth \"Jim\" Bennett, Vice-Chairman.

However as I do so, I want to express how humbled and honored I am to have been asked to share this podium and these hallowed grounds with you today.

When I was first approached to help in this most solemn event I was not sure that I … or anyone … could adequately convey the deep reverence and feelings of admiration we have regarding the brave men and women

… both those who have given the last full measure of their devotion to this great Nation

… and those of you who here represent the highest ideals of the American Experience

… exemplified by the loyalty and dedication you have so willingly and freely given for the safety of your family, friends and Country.

But regardless of how inadequate these efforts may be, I earnestly pray that you will recognize that they are being done with full acknowledgement and the utmost respect and admiration for your personal sacrifices

and further that you appreciate and understand that you and those that have gone before are not … and will not be forgotten.

It is eminently clear to all who visit, that the Amelia Veterans Cemetery has been eternally consecrated by the heroic efforts of many of America’s best and bravest

… but I stand here today to assure each of you that your presence today truly adds luster and honor to this sacred ground … And for that we thank you and pray for your well being.

On this day, in this week and in this Month … I would be remiss in my duties if I did not take time to also reflect briefly on the heartbreak of September 11, 2001

… and ask that each of us … in our own way … pray for the innocent victims, their families, their friends and the public safety personnel so tragically loss that fateful day.

Mere words cannot possibly describe the myriad feelings that I have as I stand before you and reflect on not only this most solemn occasion

… but those members of my family, former classmates, friends and fellow employees who like you made their sacrifices so that our Nation could remain free and that we could have the opportunity to meet on this blessed ground to share our thoughts and prayers.

To this end it is truly fitting that we would gather on the seventh day of the Lord … on grounds hallowed by the valor, duty and honor of so many of our fallen brothers and sisters to share our many earthly blessings

… and in a greater sense to convey our respect and admiration for those here gathered.

The Ancient Greek poet Aeschylus wrote that …
“In our sleep pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until in our despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awesome grace of God.”

And so it is that we unite in the Amelia Veterans Cemetery on September 14, 2008 to memorialize and convey our deepest respect, reverence and admiration for both you and those brave members of our armed services that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that ours will be a better world and further to reflect on the public servants and innocent victims of 911.

And as we reflect on the many tragedies of war and the shocking events of September 11th … we are vividly reminded of not only the heroic sacrifices of our armed forces

… but the ever increasing cruelties and acts of senseless violence perpetrated by the human race on the human race…and we grieve.

Though we intuitively know the enormous responsibilities born by each of the brave men and women who risk daily their personal well being so that ours may be a safer world

… we are never quite prepared for the stark reality of the type of nightmare and sacrifices seen on the many battlefields of our Nation’s history, nor of those seen in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania in 2001.

Yet, still I pray … that in our collective dismay and disillusionment we as a people are able to understand the grief that the families and loved ones of those who have lost so much face every day because they cared

… and further that each of us is willing to touch that pain by shouldering a bit of the burden as a local government, as a community, and as a Nation … and thereby find strength in our collective will.

Today let us seek wisdom through compassion and understanding to direct our efforts.

Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago:

“To tame the savageness of man and to make gentle the life of this world.”

And let us now commit ourselves to that justice … and join in a prayer for the many heroes who have gone before

… the innocent victims, the brave civilians and public servants of 911

… and especially for those here gathered, both living and dead, who have so selflessly sacrificed for their fellow man.

Today we recognize all who have endured and suffered so much and stand united in prayer for a renewed commitment to justice and peace.

Today, because of the heroism and sacrifices of so many, each of us is left to find an inner strength as well as solace in the arms of an almighty and forgiving Providence.

I pray that each of us will be able to receive that grace, not only for the peace of those who have sacrificed and suffered so greatly

… but for the welfare of our Community,

… the renewal of our Country

… and the salvation of our World.

Thank you and May God Bless

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