City Councilor David C. Abdoo and former Cpt US Army was the Keynote Speaker at the event honoring all veterans held at South Lawrence East Elementary on 11/11/19.
The SLEE School event hall was packed with people that came to thank the veterans for their selfless sacrifice. All the people in attendance were there for the same reason, to thank the men and women who have served over the years.
Probably, inspired by this sentiment, Br. Rene D. Roy, F.M.S.,Campus Minister, Central Catholic High School offered this wonderful opening prayer “Heavenly Father, we have come together this morning to honor and thank those who have served and are now serving in our armed forces. We remember the valiant men who enlisted immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the women who joined the military soon after or who worked in defense plants.
We honor all those who responded to fight in the Korean Conflict,Viet Nam, Operation Desert Storm, The Iraq War, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and who serve today in trouble spots around the world.
We offer our sincere gratitude to them for the sacrifices that they have made and are making as well as the support of our prayers, time and financial aid. May we never forget these good men and women, many of whom are disabled or bear in some way the scars of battle.
They put their lives in danger for the cause of freedom and for our beloved country. Out debt to them is beyond payment and our ceremony today, only a small part of the recompense due to them… Yet we continue to offer whatever we can to recognize and thank them for their service with sincere and indebted hearts. May they find comfort in our presence here and in the appreciation we extend to them… God bless them and God bless America! Amen”
That prayer seemed to set the mode for perfection on the JROTC Drill Team performing on their routine, specially on the passing of the rifle, done with such perfection; that perfection includes the JROTC Step Team, . Their performance was without any doubt, brilliant.
Good Bless America by the Lawrence High School Ensemble
And then, Bella Perrota, a High School student in Methuen, MA if her rendition of the National Anthem was great, when she finished God Bless the USA, many eyes in the audience were wet.
In every event honoring veterans we hear stories of valor, sacrifice and heroism, but is not common to hear from one of them, what makes them to enroll into the military. This time Keynote Speaker David Abdoo offered his personal reasons
“These men are examples of people who have served their Nation, and continue to serve their community, and for the purposes of messaging – I want the “opportunity to serve” to be the message that you take away from my remarks today. “ Clearly said Abdoo, and continued
“In 2019, I believe it to be of the upmost importance to recognize those who contribute to our community, at a time in the 21st-century when many people in our society are focused inward and live their lives primarily on social media.
The “service” of the aforementioned public servants’ did not end when they hung up their uniforms; they chose to continue their service in other ways. Military service teaches its soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen/women and Coast Guardsmen/women to fully understand the concepts of service to one another and selfless sacrifice. A deep respect is developed towards one another and encourages one to be selfless in their actions… expecting nothing in return. These types of values are not simply left at the door when “clearing post” for the last time, but instead, it often continues with each person as they settle back into their lives back home… like it obviously has for Dan and Roger.
Suffice to say, I am humbled to be at this days this morning. I am thankful for the invitation and the opportunity to address the veterans assembled here today.
My experience, like many others, was a unique one. I was a student at Salem State College, and it wasn’t really working out for me. I was missing something. A buddy of mine and I went down to the recruiter several times, and when I could not get a commitment to serve on one of the battleships in the United States Navy, I enlisted in the Army National Guard as a combat medic, or 91A. On the day I graduated basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. This global event set my azimuth for the next couple of years. I proceeded to my Advanced Individual Training as a Combat Medic where I would remain throughout Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
I was hooked. I loved what I was doing and wanted more of it!
When the opportunity to apply to OCS made itself available, I committed. Unfortunately, I did not have the requisite civilian education to continue in the Medical Service Corps, but then had the opportunity to commission as an armor officer. After completing Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, I volunteered for an engagement with NATO’s “Operation: Atlantic Resolve”. There I served as a liaison between British and other allied forces. Later in the 90s, I completed my college education at Salem State, finished military assignments as a platoon leader, company commander, and settled into my civilian career.
My series of active-duty engagements and National Guard service provided me a gift beyond all gifts, a better understanding of service, and how to be responsible for your fellow man and woman and be part of something much larger than myself. Along the way, you learn to look beyond yourself, care for others, and the meaning of a … “buddy check”.
This enhanced understanding of service carried over to my civilian life as a twelve-year trustee at Salem State University, long time Lawrence Planning Board member, twenty-year volunteer at Saint Patrick Church and many other volunteer commitments that I have been fortunate enough to be associated with. In addition to my civilian pursuits, I continued to volunteer for opportunities with the National Guard to serve the community. Whether it was post-9/11 security missions and other related activities, or to provide 2-months of security and support services to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, or to work locally for the Mother’s Day Flood of 2006 … each time, I was able to do something I loved doing while serving our Nation, our Commonwealth and our community.
These experiences taught me about stewardship and selfless service towards your fellow man and woman. Military service ingrained in me respect for institutions and the importance of tradition.
Here in our community we have individuals like the mayor and Councilor Roger Twomey as well as community leaders such as Don Silva, Carlos Cameron, Tom Murphy, Yoed Cameron Santos, Joe Hey, Frank Bonet, John Cuddy and many other ordinary men and women that commit themselves to our community. They serve other veterans in need, lead Cub Scout Packs, lead Girl Scout troops, serve hospice care, support organized veterans’ groups and much much more. These are but a few examples of ordinary men and women that give of themselves to the betterment of our community each and every day.
As many of you know, there are many opportunities to contribute to the betterment of our community. You do not have to have prior military service to commit to selfless service; you just have to have the desire, the commitment and heart to do something for others without the expectation of anything in return.
There is no greater feeling of satisfaction than service to one another. You can exhibit the same selfless values with service to your community. The benefit to others is great, and your reward to self is subtle, yet will fill you.
The service opportunities are bountiful in Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley. There are many organizations and opportunities to do “good” and enrich other people’s lives. Volunteerism is everywhere if you just look. For instance, you can seek out volunteer opportunities on several boards here in the city, as well as service opportunities at nonprofit organizations focused on housing needs, environmental consciousness, opioids, our homeless, our youth, mental health, and other organizations focused on the most vulnerable people amongst us. Regardless of your available time, I can assure you that your service to others can be the most rewarding thing you ever experience.
An added benefit is that your service will also contribute to the overall stewardship of your community. Your actions will make lives better, improve community assets, and enrich the experience of many. Your contribution of time, talent, or treasure to service will be fulfilling.
In closing, I ask that you remember our veterans not only today – but throughout the year. When you see the unit t-shirt or the black service ball cap with the military unit patch or ship designation, give him or her a smile and the courtesy of the day. Keep alive the traditions of honoring veterans. These ordinary people sacrificed extraordinarily for our Nation, and we give them thanks today on Veterans Day. On Memorial Day, we remember those heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice or are no longer with us. We must continue the traditions established years ago and make sure that these two days are more than a federal holiday but a day of reflection, celebration and honor. When you leave here today, ask Jamie Melendez how you can help support the next City recognition of Memorial Day at Bellevue Cemetery, seek out the Councilor Twomey or any member of the Twomey family and offer your help at next year’s 11th Annual Veterans Day breakfast, or simply attend these events and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to join you. Honor these traditions, and you will honor the Veteran.
As a community we must redouble our efforts to preserve and honor the two days set aside for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, recognizing the service of these men and women that sacrificed much for their Nation. Take a moment, to reflect and pray for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom and liberty. As for me, this Veteran’s Day Weekend, I am thinking of Army SGT Pierre Raymond and SGT Alex Jimenez. I am praying for the family and friends that each left behind on this Veterans Day.
As we leave this event today, ask yourself what you can do to give of yourself to your community… in a selfless manner… no social media and no expectation of recognition… just selfless service. Help a vet get to an appointment, see if they need some assistance with yard work, perhaps they would like company when they visit their counselor, or simply provide some human interaction. Believe me, that Veteran won’t mind the “buddy check”.
Go forth and serve. You will not regret it.
Thank you for attending this Veterans Day event and allowing me to share my thoughts with you. Thank you to the heroes in the room, and thank you to the public servants, volunteers and selfless citizens who serve others.
Thank you all, and may God Bless the Veterans, the City of Lawrence, and these United States of America”.
