Speech presented on Memorial Day May 27, 2019
Today is Memorial Day, a day when we set aside part of our day to honor the memory and
sacrifices of our military heroes. We pay homage to their decisions to put their lives in danger
so that we could live in safety. These brave men and women came from all parts of our country
and from other countries as well. Most of these service men and women were citizens of our
country while some were not. Those who were not citizens decided to enlist in the hope of
becoming citizens of our country. All of the men and women in our armed forces came from all
walks of life; some were rich, but many were poor. They represented almost all the world’s
religions, races, and cultures and they had many and varied reasons for being in the military.
But the most important point to keep in mind and never forget is that they were willing to
defend and protect every one of us even if it meant the cost of their lives.
While serving our country, many of them contracted debilitating or terminal illnesses or
suffered from accidents that left them handicapped. Many became emotionally traumatized by
the horrors they endured. A great many of them perished in battles in far off countries whose
names we have difficulty pronouncing. We read their stories in the obituaries and in books and
heard about them on the news reports. They were usually described as being patriotic, daring,
courageous, selfless, compassionate, and noble. They were our heroes and they continue to be
our heroes. We remember them because of their sacrifices but we should also remember them
for how they lived. In their daily life, they demonstrated qualities and values we admire and
wish to see in ourselves and others.
These men and women had decided to tolerate ever present physical and emotional danger.
Many of them possessed an appreciation for the importance of their family, community, and
nation. Most of them cultivated self-discipline, an orientation towards problem solving, and
contributed their time and skills for the benefit of our society. Most importantly, they displayed
respect for authority, respect for one another, and concern for the welfare of their fellow
comrades. Through their actions, they manifested the democratic ideals of acceptance of
others including those who were different from them. To these men and women who we call
our heroes, their comrades were their family. When their comrades needed them, they
jumped in and did whatever they could. They understood that if they allowed themselves to
slip into a “Can’t Do” attitude or if they viewed their comrades with disdain, or if they treated
them with disrespect the consequences would be devastating to themselves and their fellow
comrades. They knew that it would tear apart the fabric of their cohesion and certainly lead to
demoralization, chaos and divisiveness. And it would place all of them in danger. For these very
same reasons we, who are here today, ought to cultivate in ourselves those values and
behaviors we saw and continue to see in our past and present heroes. It is not beyond any of us
to be the person we admire in our heroes.
It is not at all beyond any of us to tolerate greater inconveniences in our lives rather than just
coasting or choosing the path of least effort.
It is not at all beyond any of us to consider the needs of others instead of just being preoccupied
with our own needs.
It is not at all beyond any of us to respect those in authority and those who are different from
us.
It is not at all beyond any of us to value and revere our elders instead of dismissing them as a
burden and thinking that they don’t matter.
It is not at all beyond any of us, as we face life’s challenges, to have a “Yes I Can” attitude
instead of a “No I Can’t” attitude.
By mindfully doing these things every day, we truly pay homage to the memory of our heroes
and the sacrifices they have made on our behalf and we provide an inviting home and
community for those who return from service. In doing these things we too can become more
like the heroes we all admire. Then, when we look into the eyes of our past and present heroes,
we will see reflected back at us their pride and admiration in us.
At the meeting of our American legion Post 522 here in Monroe you become quickly aware that you are
in the presence of fellow servicemen who quietly project a sense of nobility, dignity, reverence, and
pride. Pride in ourselves, pride in our accomplishments, and pride in our country. Our meetings reflect
our continued service to the needs of service members, veterans, and their families, to our community,
and to one another. If this appeals to you, please contact Commander Jack Kirschenbaum at 609 642-
6199 or contact us by email at alpost522@comcast.net or visit our website at alpost522.com
Today is Memorial Day, a day when we set aside part of our day to honor the memory and
sacrifices of our military heroes. We pay homage to their decisions to put their lives in danger
so that we could live in safety. These brave men and women came from all parts of our country
and from other countries as well. Most of these service men and women were citizens of our
country while some were not. Those who were not citizens decided to enlist in the hope of
becoming citizens of our country. All of the men and women in our armed forces came from all
walks of life; some were rich, but many were poor. They represented almost all the world’s
religions, races, and cultures and they had many and varied reasons for being in the military.
But the most important point to keep in mind and never forget is that they were willing to
defend and protect every one of us even if it meant the cost of their lives.
While serving our country, many of them contracted debilitating or terminal illnesses or
suffered from accidents that left them handicapped. Many became emotionally traumatized by
the horrors they endured. A great many of them perished in battles in far off countries whose
names we have difficulty pronouncing. We read their stories in the obituaries and in books and
heard about them on the news reports. They were usually described as being patriotic, daring,
courageous, selfless, compassionate, and noble. They were our heroes and they continue to be
our heroes. We remember them because of their sacrifices but we should also remember them
for how they lived. In their daily life, they demonstrated qualities and values we admire and
wish to see in ourselves and others.
These men and women had decided to tolerate ever present physical and emotional danger.
Many of them possessed an appreciation for the importance of their family, community, and
nation. Most of them cultivated self-discipline, an orientation towards problem solving, and
contributed their time and skills for the benefit of our society. Most importantly, they displayed
respect for authority, respect for one another, and concern for the welfare of their fellow
comrades. Through their actions, they manifested the democratic ideals of acceptance of
others including those who were different from them. To these men and women who we call
our heroes, their comrades were their family. When their comrades needed them, they
jumped in and did whatever they could. They understood that if they allowed themselves to
slip into a “Can’t Do” attitude or if they viewed their comrades with disdain, or if they treated
them with disrespect the consequences would be devastating to themselves and their fellow
comrades. They knew that it would tear apart the fabric of their cohesion and certainly lead to
demoralization, chaos and divisiveness. And it would place all of them in danger. For these very
same reasons we, who are here today, ought to cultivate in ourselves those values and
behaviors we saw and continue to see in our past and present heroes. It is not beyond any of us
to be the person we admire in our heroes.
It is not at all beyond any of us to tolerate greater inconveniences in our lives rather than just
coasting or choosing the path of least effort.
It is not at all beyond any of us to consider the needs of others instead of just being preoccupied
with our own needs.
It is not at all beyond any of us to respect those in authority and those who are different from
us.
It is not at all beyond any of us to value and revere our elders instead of dismissing them as a
burden and thinking that they don’t matter.
It is not at all beyond any of us, as we face life’s challenges, to have a “Yes I Can” attitude
instead of a “No I Can’t” attitude.
By mindfully doing these things every day, we truly pay homage to the memory of our heroes
and the sacrifices they have made on our behalf and we provide an inviting home and
community for those who return from service. In doing these things we too can become more
like the heroes we all admire. Then, when we look into the eyes of our past and present heroes,
we will see reflected back at us their pride and admiration in us.
At the meeting of our American legion Post 522 here in Monroe you become quickly aware that you are
in the presence of fellow servicemen who quietly project a sense of nobility, dignity, reverence, and
pride. Pride in ourselves, pride in our accomplishments, and pride in our country. Our meetings reflect
our continued service to the needs of service members, veterans, and their families, to our community,
and to one another. If this appeals to you, please contact Commander Jack Kirschenbaum at 609 642-
6199 or contact us by email at alpost522@comcast.net or visit our website at alpost522.com
dies and gentlemen, Honorable Mayor Tamburro, council members, first responders and
fellow veterans
My name is Jack Kirschenbaum and I am the Commander of the American Legion Post 522 here
in Monroe Township. In a moment It will be my honor to read the names of the members of
our Post who passed away between Memorial Day 2018 and now. Then I will pass the
microphone to the leaders and representatives of our fellow veteran organizations here in
Monroe Township. “I now ask the leaders and representatives of the veterans’ organizations to
please come forward and stand along side me.”
On this Memorial Day, we at the American Legion Post 522 pay homage to our comrades who
passed away this past year. They are:
Bill Antes
Lenny Fahrer
Ed Falconieri
Neil Fitzpatrick
Walter Francis
Irwin Kaplan
Bobbie Morrison
Dan Mann
Tony Turano
Gregory Gatto
Tom Winters
Ira Hershbein
Pass microphone to others
Retrieve microphone
We will remember them; but especially on these holidays.
We will remember them when we hear the names of the far-off places where they had trained
and where they fought.
We will remember them when we see people in uniform.
We will remember them when we go to the places and activities that they enjoyed.
We will remember them because they remembered us, and they protected us.
I now ask for a moment of silence in memory of our fallen comrades.
Momen of Silence (15 seconds) Bugler plays taps
fellow veterans
My name is Jack Kirschenbaum and I am the Commander of the American Legion Post 522 here
in Monroe Township. In a moment It will be my honor to read the names of the members of
our Post who passed away between Memorial Day 2018 and now. Then I will pass the
microphone to the leaders and representatives of our fellow veteran organizations here in
Monroe Township. “I now ask the leaders and representatives of the veterans’ organizations to
please come forward and stand along side me.”
On this Memorial Day, we at the American Legion Post 522 pay homage to our comrades who
passed away this past year. They are:
Bill Antes
Lenny Fahrer
Ed Falconieri
Neil Fitzpatrick
Walter Francis
Irwin Kaplan
Bobbie Morrison
Dan Mann
Tony Turano
Gregory Gatto
Tom Winters
Ira Hershbein
Pass microphone to others
Retrieve microphone
We will remember them; but especially on these holidays.
We will remember them when we hear the names of the far-off places where they had trained
and where they fought.
We will remember them when we see people in uniform.
We will remember them when we go to the places and activities that they enjoyed.
We will remember them because they remembered us, and they protected us.
I now ask for a moment of silence in memory of our fallen comrades.
Momen of Silence (15 seconds) Bugler plays taps
