2009 Elk on the Trail Speech from

MA Elks State President James F. Strojny, Jr.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

It's an honor for me to be here at the 86th Annual Elk on the Trail Memorial Ceremony, dedicated to all Elks who offered or gave their lives in defense of the American way of life, as well as all the men and women of our armed forces who throughout our history, that have offered or sacrificed their lives so that we might live in freedom.

All of these men and women we honor today ask for little, yet they inspire so much. They ask for only the gratitude of a grateful nation, and yet they inspire the commitment of the values and ideals on which the Order of Elks was founded.

I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this year’s service to Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin A. Dupont, son of Chicopee Past Exalted Ruler H. Ron Dupont and his wife Gwendolyn, who succumbed to his battle injuries just this past Wednesday, June 17th, that he received back on March 8, 2009, after the Humvee in which he was riding in Afghanistan ran over an improvised explosive device.  He was serving with the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

And also, to any other Elk Family who has lost a loved one, since last we were here.

Last month I was at the Bourne National Cemetery with our Elks delegation that marched at their Annual Memorial Day Services and I looked out at all the American flags on each grave. It was quite a sight. It's quite a sight too at this memorial and the remembrances left today. I will tell you, whether it's a flag or a wreath, these are but small symbols of our commitment as Elks, to never forget the sacrifices of our fallen heroes or their families.

There are over 300,000 men and women buried at Arlington National Cemetery; I wonder how many of them are Elks from Massachusetts or sons and daughters of Elks.  And I also was in Plymouth a couple of weeks ago, for the Plymouth Elks Flag Day Ceremony which was held in conjunction with Vietnam Moving Wall being there and on it’s face are over 58,000 names engraved on it and I wondered how many were Elks from our State. And since our nation was founded, over one million men and women have given their lives. Across the country I wonder how many were Elks or family members of Elks, let us pause today to remember them, as we can never forget them.

Today our nation is at war with the forces of terrorism and we honor those who have given their lives or are in harm’s way, as we speak, these are our American heroes. America needs real heroes today just as we needed them throughout history. They remind us of why we fight and they inspire us to protect the values, the ideals, and the freedoms that they died for.

Over 145 years ago President Abraham Lincoln reminded the American people of this same thought. His words remain true today. "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."

Today is not just about Elks from Massachusetts that have died in service to our country, but about the more than one million Americans who have died serving this nation. They are American heroes, and it is for us, as Elks, to ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that they did not die in vain.

It has been said that "A person doesn't die until they’re forgotten." I believe this to be true.  And, it is monuments like our Elk on the Trail, which keep their memories alive.

I believe this monument not only captures the memories and the sacrifices of all who have fallen, but I believe that it's changed the way that people think about the Order of Elks and our dedication through the years to those who have and continue to serve our nation and that we as Elks, recognize the courage, the valor, and the commitment of the men and women of our armed forces.

That's what is most important. Because, as hard as war is, we cannot forget its aftermath; the broken minds, the broken bodies, and the broken families that require the continued attention of a grateful nation. 

As Elks, we must remain committed to work diligently to provide our wounded warriors and the families of our fallen and our missing from all wars, with our full support.

Let me close with a saying from another war monument. This one is a British memorial in Burma, from World War II. It says so eloquently what I think we should all feel today. It says, "When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today."

So today as each of you return to your Lodges, remind our members of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who are giving their today around the world for a better future for all Americans. And for a moment pause and remember those who had made possible all our tomorrows. And from the memory of these honored dead, let us recommit ourselves, as Elks, to never forget the sacrifices of these fallen and of their families, and let us also, commit ourselves to renew our commitment to the values and ideals that have made this nation what it is today, the greatest nation in the world.

Thank you, and God bless those we honor today.