This is the speech I wrote for Mayor
of Mount Airy Patrick Rockingberg's Patriot’s
Day Speech on September
11, 2011.
"Thank you….
And thank you all for coming to the
Pine Grove Chapel in Mount Airy for this Patriot’s Day 9/11 Ceremony. (PAUSE)
We are here to honor all of
America’s Patriots, and especially those who gave their last and full measure
on September 11, 2001, Navy Lieutenant Commander Ronald J. Vaulk and Army Chief
Warrant William Ruth.As this is the 10th Anniversary of
that fateful day, it is fitting that we pause to honor them, their lives, their
families, and their ultimate sacrifice for us and our freedoms.
For example, on one memorial stone
before us here we read, “Let no vandalism or avarice or neglect, no ravages of
time testify to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the
cost of a free and undivided republic.”
This command by General John A Logan
in 1868 is chiseled into the stone before you and we dedicate ourselves again
today to meet that standard.
On the other memorial stone we read,
“Dedicated to the honor and sacrifice of the men and women of Mount Airy who
served in the Armed forces of the United States in all wars” is chiseled into
the other stone before us today.
Take time today to look at the names
on the back of those stones
They represent an unbroken line of
men and women, including Lieutenant Vaulk and Chief Ruth, who have fought
against tyranny and for American freedom. For twelve generations, from the
Revolutionary War to the current on-going war against our enemies, American
from our small town and around our great nation have sacrificed everything to
preserve our life, our liberty, our families, and our American Way of Life
Today we especially honor and
memorialize two of our neighbors who wore the American uniform and who perished
at the Pentagon on 9/11/2001 while defending us and serving our country.
Navy Lieutenant Commander Ronald J.
Vaulk, a Naval Academy graduate and former submarine officer who served in the
Persian Gulf War, was the Watch Commander in the Naval Command Center of the
Pentagon that day. He was only 37 when he lost his life while on an assignment
he had begun just the day before
and . . .
Army Chief Warrant William Ruth, 57,
lost his life after surviving two wars, Vietnam and the First Gulf War. He was a
Marine Officer and helicopter pilot in Vietnam who evacuated the wounded and
dead, often under heavy enemy fire. He also taught young people as a social
studies teacher for nearly 30 years while also serving as a Warrant Officer 4thClass with the Maryland National Guard.
[We especially want to express our
deep gratitude to their families. Acknowledge family members].
I can think of no better way to pay
tribute to these great men, their legacy, their ultimate sacrifice, and that
of other military veterans who have given their all throughout our
history than to honor them on this Patriot's Day Ceremony.
Their service and sacrifice to our
country sets an awesome example to the youth gathered here today. They touched
and changed many lives, many of which they never met.
The future of our great nation is in
the hands of all of you gathered here today. You have an awesome responsibility
and tradition to uphold a great legacy of freedom, liberty and sacrificial
love. But looking at you today, I'm confident we are in good hands.
[Master of Ceremonies will
note the groups in attendance)
May you always demonstrate the love
of country, family, and God shown by those who came before, and may God Bless
Commander Ronald J. Vaulk and Chief Warrant William Ruth.
Thank very much for being here today
to keep these American Patriot’s lives and example alive. They give us strength
now and an example to follow in the future.
Thank you May God protect Commander
Vauk and Chief Ruth for our service, and may God bless and protect you, your
memories, your families, and your sacrifice.
And may God continue to raise up
great patriot’s from His people and bless this great Republic they loved so.
Read my latest blog (below) post to
get context:
Patriot Day Preliminary Plan Fact Sheet Mt.
Airy 2011
Who:
Patrick Everich (an Eagle Scout candidate) is the event
organizer for the Mt. Airy 2011 Patriot Day ceremony. Working with his advisors and parents,
Patrick secured the assistance of the previous event organizer Bob Rossi, the
Marine Corps League, the Lions Club, the American Legion, Mr. Charles Samuels
of Lowery Associates, the Trustees of the Pine Grove Chapel, WALMART, the
Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, Honorary Lance Corporals Buster
and Gracie, and the Town of Mt. Airy.
These organizations and individuals are providing facilities, labor, material
and financial support.
What:
Before
the ceremony an existing memorial honoring Navy Commander Ronald Vauk and Army
Chief Warrant Officer William Ruth will be relocated from S. Main Street to the
Pine Grove Chapel and rededicated on Patriot Day, Sunday September 11, 2011 at
2:00 PM.
The
Patriot Day Ceremony will involve prayers and remembrance of Navy Commander
Ronald Vauk and Army Chief Warrant Officer William Ruth who died in the attack
on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Patriot Day also will honor various youth groups for their voluntary
community service. These youth groups
are from the Civil Air Patrol, the Venturing Crew, Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Girl
Scout, and athletic organizations.
Based
on their adult unit leader’s recommendation each young person will receive a
Promising Young American certificate from the Marine Corps League, Robert W.
Deane Detachment, 770 and an American Achiever certificate from the American
Legion, Gold Star Post 191. Recipient’s
names will be recorded in the official history of American Legion Gold Star
Post 191. Each participant will be given
a hand held American flag.
The
ceremony itself is planned to feature:
1.
Call
to Order by Mayor Patrick Rockinberg, Master of Ceremonies
2.
Performance
by the Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps
3.
Posting
of the National Colors and State of Maryland Colors by the Civil Air Patrol Honor
Guard. They will provide flag bearers
for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, POW, American Legion,
Marine Corps League, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion,
American Legion Riders and Honor and Remember colors
4.
Pledge
of Allegiance
5.
Amazing
Grace Violin Solo by Eamon Curley
6.
Invocation
and Remembrance, Chaplain Ann Wilson
7.
Guest
Speaker Rebecca Kneebone, American Legion County Oratory Contest winner
8.
Presentation
of Marine Corps League and American Legion certificates to unit adult leaders
by Commandant Bob Horensky and Commander Rob Benson
9.
Memorial
Rededication and Benediction
10.
21
Gun Salute
11.
Taps
by Luke Spiros, (USMC Retired)
12.
Photo
opportunities for the youth with dignitaries, speaker, Fife and Drum Corps
members and Honorary Lance Corporals Buster and Gracie
When:
Sunday,
September 11, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Where:
Pine Grove Chapel, S. Main Street, Mt. Airy
Maryland
How:
The Patriot Day Ceremony is conducted under
the purview of the Town Administrator of Mt. Airy Monika Weierbach, and
implemented by volunteers who contribute their time, talent and treasure simply
because we are Americans.
Pine Grove Chapel where the event was held has a long a distinguished history that covers two centuries. Below are some photos to give you an idea of just how distinguished. For example, notice the grave of John Vincent Ananasoff, the inventor of the computer. Yes, he really is and won a lawsuit against IBM to prove it.
Patriot Day Fact Sheet Mt. Airy 2011
Boy
Scout, Girl Scout, Cub Scout, Weeblos, Venturing Crew, Civil Air Patriot and
youth groups are invited to participate in the 10th Anniversary
Patriot Day Ceremony commemorating the events of September 11, 2011. Adult leaders are requested to
e-mail
the names of members who engaged in community service projects to robert.rossi@mris.com. At the
ceremony they will be awarded Promising Young American certificates and
American Achiever certificates by the Marine Corps League Deane Detachment and
the American Legion Gold StarPost 191.
Their organization will receive unit citations so e-mail the name of the
unit, the adult unit leader’s name and the names of the members to receive
certificates.
What the ceremony is:
The 911Patriot Day ceremony commemorates Navy Commander
Ronald Vauk and Army Chief Warrant Officer William Ruth by honoring youth
groups for their voluntary community service. Commander Vauk and CWO Ruth died in the attack
on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Participating
youth groups are from the Civil Air Patrol, the Venturing Crew, Boy Scouts, Cub
Scouts, and Girl Scouts units.
Based
on their adult unit leader’s recommendation, each young person will receive a Promising Young American certificate
from the Marine Corps League, Robert W. Deane Detachment, 770 and an American Achiever certificate from the
American Legion, Gold Star Post 191.
Recipient’s names will be recorded in the official history of American
Legion Gold Star Post 191. Each recipient
will be given a hand held American flag.
The
ceremony itself will feature:
1.
Entrance
performance by the Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps
2.
Call
to Order by Mt. Airy, Mayor Patrick
Rockinberg, Master of Ceremonies
3.
Posting
of the National Colors, State of Maryland and Town flags by the Civil Air
Patrol Color Guard. They will present
the flags of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, POW,
American Legion, Marine Corps League, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the
American Legion, American Legion Riders and Honor and Remember colors
4.
Pledge
of Allegiance
5.
Amazing
Grace Violin Solo by Eamon Curley
6.
Invocation,
American Legion Chaplain Ann Wilson
7.
Guest
Speaker Rebecca Kneebone, American Legion County Oratory Contest winner
8.
Presentation
of Marine Corps League and American Legion certificates to unit adult leaders
by Past State Commandant Jack Severn and Commander Rob Benson and Town
certificates and proclamation by Mayor Rockinberg
9.
Memorial
Rededication
10.
21
Gun Salute by the Marine Corps Deane Detachment League Rifle Party
11.
Taps
by Luke Spiros, (USMC Retired)
12.
Retirement
of the Colors
13.
Photo
opportunities for the youth with dignitaries, speaker, Fife and Drum Corps
members, the Honor Guard , the Marine Corps League Rifle Party and Honorary
Lance Corporals Buster and Gracie and closing music by the Monumental City Ancient City Fife and Drum
Corps
When: Sunday,
September 11, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Where: Pine Grove Chapel, S. Main Street, Mt. Airy,
Maryland
Who: Patrick Everich (an Eagle Scout candidate) is
the event organizer for the Mt. Airy 2011 Patriot Day ceremony. Working with his advisors and parents,
Patrick secured the assistance of the previous event organizer Bob Rossi, the
Marine Corps League, the Lions Club, the American Legion, Mr. Charles Samuels
of Lowery Associates, the Trustees of the Pine Grove Chapel, WALMART, the
Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, Honorary Lance Corporals Buster
and Gracie, and the Town of Mt. Airy.
These organizations and individuals are providing facilities, labor,
material and financial support.
How: The Patriot Day Ceremony is conducted under the
purview of the Town Administrator of Mt. Airy, Monika Weierbach and implemented
by volunteers who contribute their time, talent and treasure simply because we
are Americans.
Over Labor Day 2016 on September 3rd and 4th I went to the Appaloosa Festival at the Skyline Ranch in the Shenandoah Valley a few miles from Front Royal, Virginia.
What was also unique about this festival was the number of young parents with small children enjoying themselves. Easily, one of four of those attending was under 12. Children were everywhere running around, laughing, and moving around spontaneously to all the music coming from the multiple stages. Who knows what future musician was first exposed to that future while there.
What was also unique about this festival was the number of young parents with small children enjoying themselves. Easily, one of four of those attending was under 12. Children were everywhere running around, laughing, and moving around spontaneously to all the music coming from the multiple stages. Who knows what future musician was first exposed to that future while there.
