Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
First and foremost, I would like to thank the School Administration for allowing me to speak, as well as thank Mr. Neago for inviting me.
When I look out in the crowd, I see a lot of young faces– many of whom are only a few years younger than the men and women I deployed with when I went to Iraq.
I can remember getting on a bus in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to embark on a flight to Kuwait.
And as a 23-year-old freshly minted platoon commander, I can commit to memory looking down the aisles and being reminded of an MVRHS sports team loading buses in the Steamship Authority parking lot.
But instead of students carrying lacrosse sticks and hockey bags for an away game, they were carrying rifles, packs, and flak jackets in preparation for a combat zone.
The reality of the situation is that America sends teenagers to War – 18-year-old kids from all walks of life, get on a bus, and then fly on a plane, and do their countries bidding in the name of service.
This is not something new, and a framework that has occurred since the beaches of Normandy, Jungles of Vietnam, and sand of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The statistical truth is that when young Soldiers, Marines, Sailors or Airmen get on that bus, – some will never come back. But the fact that young people are willing to get on that bus, is what makes America Special.
The unbridled volunteer commitment to service and self-sacrifice in the name of our Country is one of the many hallmarks of the America Way. This service and self-sacrifice is often demonstrated by people only a few months older than the students standing in front of me right now.
The United States can deploy troops to any beach in the world within 72 hours, and quickly project force and power to accomplish a variety of missions.
Regardless of personal opinions of America’s entrance into conflict, the fact that we have this capability preserves our way of life and protects our freedom. It defends the homeland and spreads our values of democracy across the globe.
But at the end of the day, it is not about fighter jets, aircraft carriers or submarines – it is about an 18-year-old getting handed a rifle and pack, and then getting on a bus – while knowing the full weight and risk of their decisions.
This legacy of service is an inspiration to all of us – and in many cases the purest thing we will be a part of.
An example of this service is from – 1st Sgt Gean Perreria – United States Marine Corps.
1st Sgt Perreria is a first-generation Brazilian immigrant who came to the island at age 12. He was a classmate of mine in the Edgartown School as well as also a 2001 graduate of MVRHS.
In 2015 he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the services’ highest noncombat decoration for heroism, for actions during a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
His award citation is as follows:
“For heroism while deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. On 11 October 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Pereira was one of the initial responders to a helicopter crash on Camp Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Despite the immediate risk of fire or explosion, he immediately jumped into the helicopter cabin, and assisted with the rescue of the three air crew members.
After removing the crew chief, Gunnery Sergeant Pereira tunneled deeper into the helicopter, using bolt cutters to remove a seat frame – so the next victim could be removed.
After Gunnery Sergeant Pereira lifted this victim onto a transportable litter, he returned to the cabin to pull out another unresponsive passenger while working in several inches of jet fuel.
He then tunneled back into the cabin to free the next passenger who was buried in debris and having difficulty breathing.
After that passenger was successfully removed, he assisted in the removal of two additional, unresponsive passengers before receiving medical attention himself.
Gunnery Sergeant Pereira’s bold leadership, wise judgment, and selfless dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”
If you ask 1st Sgt Pereira why he joined the Marine Corps he will tell you that it arose out of a sense of gratitude for all that the United States – his adopted country, has provided to his family.
If you look around today, I think we can all agree that there are very few places in the world that provide this level of natural beauty, high quality education, endless opportunity, or sense of community like the Vineyard.
It is people like 1st Sgt Perreria who enable this to happen.
There is a reason someone can come to this Island, start their own business. And there is a reason that someone can came to this Island, do well in a public education system and become a doctor or lawyer. And there is a reason that someone can came to this Island, work hard and build their own America Dream,
The reason is that America is truly the land of opportunity – plain and simple.
This opportunity is paid for by the service of the men and women who got on that metaphoric bus – knowing the full weight and risk of their decision.
But I want you to remember that, although Veterans Day is about honoring military service – service can come in many forms. Teachers serve, police serve, nurses serve, doctors serve, coaches serve.
Life is full of conscious choices and decisions.
Many of you will be highly successful in whatever future endeavor you choose to pursue, solely based on the endless potential that this island has fostered. Give back in what ever capacity you can – whether it be big or small.
Volunteer, help out your neighbors, and serve your community.
You can make millions of dollars over the course of your life, but you can’t take it with you when you die. Plain and simple.
The positive affects you can have on people’s lives through service will make you more fulfilled than any amount of money.
Although not always the most popular choice, the path of service is what makes this country what it is.
I challenge you to commit to something bigger than yourself – and remember the opportunities this community has provided you.
If you don’t realize it now, you will when you leave – and see the rest of the world. Don’t let it go to waste….and always pay it back. Perspective is everything.
I will leave you with this quote from Theodore Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Maj. J.M. Hagerty
USMCR