9/11 Mayor's Speech of Remembrance 2016

On September 11th, 2016 I awoke and checked my cell phone around 8:30. 

There was a message from the Mayor of Mt. Airy at 2:02 a.m. asking me to write him a speech for the 911 ceremony. 
I went to work on it immediately (duty, honor, country). 

In half an hour, partially due to having done the same several years in the past for this ceremony, I was able to create the following speech for him to give.

Mount Airy Mayor 911 Memorial Speech

September 11^th, 2016

Good afternoon Mount Airy friends and neighbors:

I am proud to be joined by Councilman [Names Here]

As St. John says so beautifully in the biblical verse John 15: “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

We are here today to honor that Christ-like sacrifice by the men and women who laid down their lives to save us on 911, and the firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians who have continued to do so in the 15 years since.

Thank you for joining us today has Mount Airy remembers those lost on September 11th 2001.

Mount Airy residents Commander Volk and Chief Warrant Officer Ruth who gave their lives in the Pentagon assault that day join a long line of military Sons and Daughters who served and lost their lives for their country. 

Many of the names on the Veteran memorials in front of you are of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

We honor Chief Army Warrant Officer (CWO) William Ruth and Navy Lieutenant Commander Ronald J. Vauk for their lives and their sacrifice, especially on 911.

CWO Ruth, Marine Corps Pilot who in Vietnam evacuated the dead and wounded under heavy enemy fire went on to earn a Master’s degree when he returned from the war.

He taught social studies and history for 30 years to middle school students in Montgomery County and was pulled from the classroom In the best tradition of the citizen soldier to fight in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 

He presided one time as Commander Of the Mt. Airy American Legion before God called him home, Lt. Vauk graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, served on the submarines U.S.S. Lipscomb And U.S.S. Oklahoma City, was a supervisor in submarine technology at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and was the Watch Commander at the Pentagon Command Center on the phone trying to get jets to scramble when the Jihadi-hijacked plane hit the Pentagon like a cruise missile,

Both served to the last minute after a life of non-stop service.

So, too, with our fire fighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians. During the 911 assault, and in the 15 years since, when everyone else runs from the death and destruction, they run into it to save lives.

They are truly Christ-like in their courage, strength, humility, grace, tenderness, and grit countering daily the horrors that radical Islamic terrorists unfortunately visit on Americans and so many others each day.

These brave men and women are the tip of the spear. When terrorists strike, we count on them to defend and protect us. And the amazing thing is, they do each and every time. Think about that for a minute.

So we pray for and give thank all our military, law enforcement and emergency responder's who put their lives on the line every day for our safety and freedoms.

We had a physical and spiritual life before 911 and we have a New Life now because Christ never told us it would be easy.

So, please, let us celebrate our New Life together.

God bless you...God bless Mount Airy...and God bless America

Like so many small town events that are the backbone of this nation, this event was organized the the following little noticed, but critically important, patriotic organizations and individual patriots. Below is the full program of that day.

911 Patriot Day Ceremony at Pin Grove Chapel Program

Announce the display of the Chapel Flag at half staff in honor of the day.

Command, "POST THE COLORS" - Harry Wolfe

Post the Flag at Half Staff - Wolfe, Clemente and selected Boy Scouts.

Vocal rendering of the Star Spangled Banner - by Vance Hunt

Call for the Pledge of Allegiance - Harry Wolfe

Opening Prayer by Al Yeater, Chaplain of VFW Post 10076

Welcome - Joe Clemente, Master of Ceremonies

Acknowledge Participants:
Lcpl Deane Detachment, Marine Corps League
Young Marines, Carroll County Unit
American Legion Post,191
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10076
Boy Scouts Troop #460
Cub Scouts Troop #460
Boy Scouts Troop #1191
Cub Scouts Troop #1191
Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company
Maryland State Police, Mount Airy Detachment

Introduce Speakers:
Mayor Patrick Rockinberg
Recognize any members of the Town Cuncil
Mount Airy Police Chief Doug Reitz
Landon Becker, Caommander VFW
Ann Wilson, Commander American Legion
Chris Deboy, Jennifer Vauk's brother-in-law that worked with LCMDR Ronald L. Vauk
Battalion Chief gary Hubble B Shift - Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Deput Fire Chief Scott LeGore - Washington Dulles International Airport
Both were Firefighters/Paramedics at National Airport on 9/11/2001

At this time, two wreaths in honor of the two local service members who perished at the Pentagon 15 years ago will be presented, while the playing of Amazing Grace by Dale Gardner a retired Battalion Chief from the Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services. 

He is a piper wit the Fire Brigade Pipes & Drums of Greater Baltimore.

The first wreath in honor of LCMDG Ronald L. Vauk will be placed by Ann Wilson, American Legion Commander and State Trooper Jonathan Horner, MSP
The second wreath in honor of CWO Willliam Ruth will be placed by Landon Becker, VFW Commander and ana member of the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company.
Benediction by VFW Chaplain Al Yeater
Honor Volley, LCpl Deane Detachment Fire Party of the Marine Corps League
Taps by Lucas Spiros, a member of the VFW of Mt. Airy, Post 10076

This concludes the ceremony
Thank you for your attendance

 Note: When so many other Americans have moved on and no longer remember the sacrifices made that day for our freedom, I pray we never forget. 

This Mount Airy 911 Patriot’s Day Ceremony at Pine Grove Chapel is one outstanding way that, together, we meet that goal.

Appaloosa Music Festival 2016

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.
It's a unique event. For one, the festival kicked off with Sunday Mass (see photos below). Pretty unique.

Here is a little background.
They donate 10% of the profits go to the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Appaloosa Blue Ride Acts Foundation. As described in the Festival Program: Giving Back...
"We believe strongly that every good gift comes from love. We've all been given love first, so Appaloosa would like to give back. Appaloosa is giving 10% of festival profits to charity:

• Little Sisters of the Poor. Once upon a time, we got to volunteer with these sisters and  learned that their life mission is to make sure the elderly receive a beautiful living space, and loving care right to their very last breath. We couldn't think of a more worthy beneficiary.
• Appaloosa Blue Ridge Arts Foundation. This year, we have founded a non-profit to expose children to roots music through a series of workshops. There is a rich musical tradition in the Shenandoah Valley and it is our goal to work towards establishing a permanent folk music school in Front Royal to share with the next generation.

The 40 musical acts are too many to list, so I'll list some of my favorites. 

• Six-String Soldiers: Actual American soldiers who play folk, Americana, bluegrass and Irish Music.
• Socks in the Frying Pan: From County Clare who specialize in 3-part harmonies.
• Bud's Collective: West Virginia blue grass band.
• Cake for Dinner: Scythian's music from Ireland to Gypsy to Ukraine for their 25 nephews and nieces.
• The Fitzgerald's: Tom, Kerry and Julie Fitzgerald who play Celtic, jaz, bluegrass, and French Canadian music while breaking into remarkable tap dance numbers.
• Gothard Sisters: Three talented violinists who are also sisters.
• Hillbilly Thomists: Actual Dominican bluegrass musicians.

My absolute favorite was the song Broken Shore by Cruz Contreras and the Black Lillies. Cruz wrote the song as a tribute to his grandfather's experience invading Iowo Jima. It portrays the twilight time between life and death American combat soldiers experienced in the full fury of invading a beach held by the fanatical Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. 

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.

Alexander Fedoryka and Daniel Fedoryka have always been the heart of Scythian. They have much to be very proud of, not least of which is this unique music festival they have created and the unique causes it supports. 

With so many negative, life destroying causes raising money out there, we found it wonderful to find a festival that supports positive, life giving causes.

 

9/11 Vauk and Ruth Memorial and Celebration

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 4^thClass 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:

http://poetslife.blogspot.com/search/label/American%27s%20Memorial%20Day%202011

 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 10^th 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.

Memorial Day Writer's Project

The Memorial Day Writer's Project is one way to honor those go sacrificed for this nation and to honor their memories. I was invited to join them this year and learned a lot from the other combat vets about what sacrifice and love entail.

Dick Epstein has done an outstanding job of keeping it going for 17 years. Here are some After Action Reports from prior years.

Below are a few photos and videos of the day. My mother's favorite memorial was the Korean so I include some photos of that to honor those who died in that conflict.