Memorial Day Speech Calls For Stronger Bond Between Service Members And Communities

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The scene at the 2017 Foxborough Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremony was a familiar one for keynote speaker U.S. Navy Captain Gabriel E. Soltero. A small town coming out to remember those who sacrificed for their country and to say thank you to a group of service members was something he first experienced when he was 21 years old and preparing for his first deployment. Speaking at the common Monday morning, Soltero expressed a desire to see that bond between communities and those who have served strengthened for times of praise and moments of grieving.

It was days before his first employment that Soltero was told by an older veteran that he should do his best to learn the skills he would be taught in the military, practice them often, and hope he would never have to use them. It wasn’t until years later, while deployed in the Middle East, that Soltero truly appreciated those words.

“Despite our confidence and having the best training and equipment, we relied on each other, very much aware that we would have to work together and to get the job done. We chose to think about that instead of the nagging possibility that one of us may not make it back safely,” he said.

Those who did not make it back is the reason Memorial Day is celebrated. They are the ones who paid a price that can be felt by their friends, families, and communities as well. The ones who are sent off by cheering crowds with tiny flags, masking their mixed emotions with enthusiasm, Soltero noted.

“It causes no less pain to those who witness their comrades fall while fighting shoulder to shoulder and did not have the luxury to grieve. We are a better nation because of their actions to them we owe an enormous debt and though we will never be able to repay this debt, we can and do honor their heroic deeds by remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day. They gave their lives so we can live ours freely,” Soltero said.

In recent conflicts, the county has been fortunate to have fewer casualties because of better technology and medical advances.

“Our fighters are protected in ways that would have been unimaginable 50 years ago and we see it in the dramatic reduction in casualties in our recent conflicts,” Soltero said.

What is concerning for the keynote speaker is the tendency for veterans to segregate, leading to some to label today’s service members as belonging to the warrior class.

"We receive heartfelt gratitude but have a hard time starting a dialogue after someone says 'thank you for your service.' Many of us don’t know how to respond. We might smile sheepishly and say 'I appreciate your support' or 'your welcome,' which somehow doesn't seem to fit. Some of us might feel relief when the encounter is over but it doesn't have to be like this. If our fellow Americans are reaching out to us in a sincere form of expression, we should do the same and help strengthen that bond. If we don’t we risk widening this gap, and the wider it is, the less healthy it is for our society,” Soltero said.

State Rep. Jay Barrows, Board of Selectmen Chairman David Feldman, and Town Manager Bill Keegan also gave remarks. The event ended with the traditional gun salute and performance of Taps by the VFW, American Legion, and Foxborough High School Honor Guard.

Image via Foxboro Cable Access