SIR, [Col. Michael B. Kelley, USAR, NU '74] thank you very much for your gracious introduction on this unseasonably warm afternoon in November; the weather is reminiscent of the Veteran's Day that I recall during my senior year in 1981. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge many of those who are sitting on the steps of Jackman Hall who are with us today. Unfortunately, Rear Admiral Schneider could not be with us today as he is currently traveling to Colombia on behalf of the School of Graduate Studies. In his place as the acting President is the Vice President of Development, Mr. Dave Whaley, Class of 1976, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Frank Vanecek, Commandant of Cadets and Vice-President of Student Affairs, Colonel Retired Mike Kelley, United States Army, Class of 1974, Major General (Retired) and Mrs. John Greenway, Class of 1956, Professor of Aerospace Studies, Colonel Jon VanGuilder, United States Air Force, Professor of Naval Science, Colonel Pat Delatte, United States Marine Corps, former Professor of Naval Science, Colonel Retired Steve Pomeroy, United States Marine Corps, Assistant Commandant of Cadets Colonel Retired Dave Scarchilli, United States Army, Class of 1981, Band Director, Colonel Retired Larry Porter, United States Army, our Deputy Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Retired Russ Holden, United States Army Class of 1973, Our Veteran's Advocate, Miss Joyce Rivers, Class of 1988, Our two Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Commanders in attendance today, Mr. Ronald Tallman from Post 79, Mr. Reginald Monguer from Post 6674, as well as Mr. Malcom MacAskill also representing the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, one of our newest neighbors in Northfield, The Veteran's Place in attendance today, thanks for coming and thanks for making Northfield your home. Northfield made a similar offer to Norwich some 143 years ago after a devastating fire destroyed our buildings and left us with little options. We welcome you both to Northfield and to the Nation's oldest private military college.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and most importantly Members of the Corps of Cadets welcome to this Veterans Day celebration. To our Cadets on the parade ground, you look great. I promise I won't take too long so that you will have time to change out of your tunics and get to leadership lab on time and in the proper uniform. Quite frankly, I do not need Colonel's VanGuilder and Delatte angry with me as I made you late as a result of the length of my speech!

It is indeed a privilege for me to be your guest speaker and to honor a very special group of Americans today -- America's veterans. As a career Soldier and Norwich graduate in my final year at the professor of military science, I can think of no place where I would rather be today than at this ceremony.

Before I begin my remarks, I would like to take this moment to recognize the victims and the families of last Thursday's tragic shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. In about an hour, Fort Hood will hold a large memorial service to remember the 13 victims who prematurely lost their lives as result of a senseless and heinous act and to pray for a quick recovery of all those wounded during the shooting incident. As Americans, our hearts and prayers go out to the family members of the fallen; we share their grief as we mourn their loss. I'd like to take a short moment of silence to show respect for the fallen and for the healing of a grieving military community. Thank you.

It is also fitting that Norwich host the Veteran's Day observance on the United States Marine Corps Birthday. For 234 years, our Nation's Marine Corps has lived up to the values of honor, courage and commitment in defense of America's cherished freedoms around the globe. Marine units all over the world will read the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps General John Lejuene's Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921 summarizing the history, mission and tradition of the Corps. To all Marines, past, current and future here today, and around the world serving as freedom's Guardians: Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis.

I would be remiss if I did not thank the members of Band Company under the capable direction of Colonel Retired Larry Porter and Cadet Captain Cameron; our Salute rifle team under Cadet Captain Diaz and the Norwich Independent Battery under the very capable advisement of Army Captain Mark Winker, Sergeant First Class Brunzell and Cadet Captain Jewell for their presence at today's ceremony. This ceremony, as with all other university ceremonies, would be markedly different without your participation. I am well aware that you constantly rehearse and prepare in order to be ready to perform at numerous university ceremonies throughout the year.

Ladies and gentlemen, our nation owes a great debt to its veterans, whose service spans every decade, and continues every day of our country's existence. Through untold courage and sacrifice, America's veterans have secured the liberty which the founding fathers sought to establish here in the new world.

In the winter of 1776, with thousands of Soldiers' enlistments about to expire, and the fate of our fledgling Nation uncertain, Thomas Paine wrote "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer Soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

Whenever and wherever the Nation called -- in times of darkness and danger, as well as in times of peace and prosperity -- America's veterans have been there. Veterans have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see. Just yesterday, a unified Germany celebrated 20 years of freedom and the anniversary of fall of the Berlin Wall. Our Veterans, who preserved our freedom at home and provided the same freedom to Western Europe after World War II, witnessed the beginning of the end of the Cold War as the wall could no longer contain the failed policies of communism. East Berliners rushed into West Berlin in order to embrace freedom for the very first time--a concept that we, as Americans born into a free society, cannot simply grasp. We owe our freedom to the legions of Veterans who have served before us and preserved our way of life.

The first Veterans Day was declared a national day of remembrance by President Woodrow Wilson, 90 years ago tomorrow in 1919. We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, the armistice that began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In the years since President Wilson made the 11th of November a national day of remembrance, the scope of our observance has changed, from a day set aside to remember the dead from one war, to a day in which American veterans from all wars, as well as those who served in times of peace, could be honored.

This Veterans Day, as for the past eight years, our nation is at war. We continue to fight to defend our freedoms and combat terrorism. This calls for us to honor and celebrate both those veterans whose service is recorded in the history of past conflicts, and recognize our current warriors, such as members of the Vermont National Guard 86th Mountain Brigade who are readying to deploy to Afghanistan early next year. Our Veterans continue to add to our Nation's rich history every day. They are stationed around the world standing in harm's way to protect us at this very moment and as proclaimed in Scripture to heed the command of Isaiah: to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free."

Two Medals of Honor have been awarded to service members for their heroism in Afghanistan and four have been awarded for heroism in Iraq. Let me mention one example of a recent hero in our current fight.

In September, 2008, 1st Sgt. Eric Geressy of Company E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment assigned to Multi-National Division-Baghdad, Iraq was also awarded the Silver Star. First Sergeant Geressy heroically led his company in high intensity combat. On numerous occasions, he fearlessly exposed himself to direct enemy fire to instill confidence in his men, care for his wounded and to destroy the enemy. As a direct result of First Sergeant Geressy's preparation, leadership and gallantry, Eagle Company killed 18 Al Qaeda fighters. First Sergeant Geressy's personal courage, uncommon valor, and selfless service contributed directly to the safety and evacuation of two wounded and the recovery of one fallen Soldier. First Sergeant Geressy, without regard to his personal safety, courageously risked his life under enemy fire to save the lives of his fellow Soldiers.

In true keeping with the legacy of veterans over generations, 1st Sergeant Geressy's grandfather Mitchell Resch, a World War II veteran, took pride in pinning the medal on his grandson at the award ceremony.

This is but one American veteran for whom we have come to honor today. They represent the millions of American men and women who have served the republic over the past two hundred and thirty three years. Fortunately, this country has been blessed with citizens who have taken their civic responsibility seriously and have taken up arms and marched to the sound of the guns whenever and wherever the rights of man have been threatened. Norwich's own Captain James Burt, Class of 1939, spoke in humble terms in regards to receiving the Medal of Honor from President Truman stating that he did his duty, as any other Soldier would have done his duty, and saw nothing uncommon in regards to his actions in combat.

These citizen-soldiers were not seeking personal gain or even fame for doing their duty. Their country needed them and they answered the Call to Duty. Theirs was a simple, patriotic response. They recognized their civic duty and acted accordingly. Many of you in formation today will also answer the Call to Duty upon completion of your academic degree in four years. Know this— presently less than one half of one percent of all Americans will ever wear a federal military uniform in the service of their country.

I believe there is a common thread that runs through a Veterans motivation to serve. They answered the Call to Duty because they believed in the adage that "freedom isn't free" and that the freedoms that we so often take for granted are worth fighting for.

Those who survived, and are represented here today, returned home convinced that they had done something worthwhile, something to make this world a better place in which to live. They served in the cause of freedom for all mankind. And for them, that was reward enough.

Our men and women in the military are the finest in the world. They are superbly trained, have the best equipment and have very capable and adaptive commanders. And they have another great advantage - - they have the example of American veterans who came and served before them. From the very day George Washington took command, the uniform of the United States has always stood for courage and decency and a shining hope in a world of darkness. And all who have worn that uniform have won the thanks and gratitude of the American people.

Today is important because we choose to honor the living veterans from the Greatest Generation to the Latest Generation. We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to serve for us. But we must honor them with deeds, not just with words. So how do Americans properly thank their veterans this day? Americans can thank them by living their lives as productive citizens and enjoying America's greatness. Americans can thank veterans by taking full advantage of all your rights that they defended. As citizens I challenge you to vote in every election; write letters to the editor of your local paper; volunteer your time for a worthy cause; fulfill your jury duty; be a volunteer fire fighter; mentor a child; get involved with Scouting; represent your country well while abroad; ensure you are registered for Selective Service, live your lives and be good Americans, then all veterans will be proud to know that their sacrifices were not in vain. This is the thanks Americans can give. Live your lives well, as productive citizens should and with character and integrity.

Veterans Day is set aside to remember every man and woman who has taken up arms to defend our country. We honor every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coastguardsman who gave some of the best years of their lives to the service of the United States and stood ready to give life, itself, on our behalf. Twenty-five million military veterans walk among us, and on this day, our nation salutes them all.

Would all the veterans of our Armed Forces in the audience today and those who are still serving please stand now?

President John F. Kennedy once said that "a nation reveals itself not only by the by the people it produces, but also by the people it honors, the people it remembers." President Calvin Coolidge, our 30th president and native Vermonter said, "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are, simply put, all ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things and you have the eternal gratitude of a very grateful Nation. May God bless you and bless the beacon for freedom, the United States of America. Thank you.

Colonel Carney has noted that many of the themes and thoughts in this speech came from the Department of the Army Public Affairs office which provides information for use in speeches by Army officials when speaking at functions such as this Veterans Day address which he made at Norwich on November 10, 2009.