REMARKS OF MAX HERMANN

VETERANS DAY • NOVEMBER 11, 2005

VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK • ABINGDON, VIRGINIA

Good morning ladies and gentlemen!

Thank you for allowing me to be here to share some history, as well as my own thoughts about this important day.

Today we remember and honor the past service of America’s veterans, both those who returned home and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We renew our commitment to meet the challenges of America’s future for which they gave so much.

Since the founding of our country, 48 million men and women have served in the US military, about half of whom are alive today. We’ve spent 50 long years in Europe, Asia, and other areas around the world ensuring freedom and peace. Throughout the years, and even today, people ask, “Why are we doing this? Why are we spending all this money and keeping American troops overseas, separated from family and friends?” The answer is simple . . . to see that no person is deprived of his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as Jefferson stated in the Declaration of Independence. Our system of government, our way of life, and our liberties are so important that men and women might have to die to defend and preserve them for the next generation of Americans. The strength of our nation lies with its citizens. Only when each citizen feels duty bound to defend America is our nation secure. The memorial here today is just like the memorials in our nation’s capitOl. It honors those citizens who recognize duty to country.

I want to concentrate today on one simple word . . . freedom. Obviously, I am not a native-born American citizen. I immigrated over 30 years ago from Germany, a country which has democracy but not all the freedom I wanted. I know someday I will be able to pay my debt to the USA. The 20 years I served in the military was a privilege more than a duty. Freedom is worth death, for without freedom life loses its meaning. The love of liberty exceeds the love of life. We are thankful that Individuals of each generation have been willing to serve America, that they would risk everything to allow their children and grandchildren the opportunity to live in freedom.

Freedom has a different meaning to all of us. Freedom could be freedom of speech, freedom to live in pursuit of happiness, whatever you are looking for. Freedom really becomes important when someone wants to take it away from us. During my 20 years in the US Air Force, I witnessed parts of the world where the people would have given their lives for the freedoms that we take for granted. Military men and women throughout our history have always taken the oath to defend freedom.

Too often Washington, DC needs a reminder of what is important. It is not polls, partisan politics or the next election. Sometimes in Washington, the important things in life are too easily forgotten. I believe all politicians need a reminder of what is really important by taking a walk from OUR nation’s capitOl to the Lincoln Memorial. Between these two points they will pass the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Wall, the Korean War Memorial and the World War II Memorial. These memorials and monuments should put everything in perspective to our country’s great Leaders and to its everyday soldiers. I also believe the leaders of Abingdon and its citizens need to walk THROUGH Our Veterans Memorial Park more than just twice a year. We sometimes do not agree with our government, but we never forget our oath to defend freedom. This reminds me of a little incident in Abingdon, about two years ago while Driving past the Federal Court House. I witnessed people with signs protesting against our government and the war in Iraq. Initially, I got angry. Yet, after some time I began to realize that this is exactly what freedom is all about. I only wish that if you demonstrate against whatever it may be, please put a P.S. on your sign and thank the ones who are serving or have served. Without them you would not have the freedom to protest.

Let me take a few minutes to put a perspective on freedom and the Flag of this great nation. Many men and women make the ultimate sacrifice for our flag. This means you do not have the freedom not to respect our flag! You do not have the freedom to disgrace our flag! This flag represents our freedom!

Let me share some feelings about the country I grew up in. My grandfather served in World War I and World War II, not because he believed in the cause, but because he had no choice. He lost two sons in Stalingrad and he was a very bitter man when he passed away in 1974 at the age of 99. I wish I had the chance after spending some time in the United States to tell him what a great country I was living in. He was always thankful to the Americans for Intervening in World War II and freeing Germany, which gave him freedom to start his own business. He spent his last 54 years being free.

At this point, I want to especially thank all the World War II veterans for helping to free Germany. Without you, I would possibly not be standing in front of you. I thank you and salute you! Maybe someday, on a Veterans Day, you may have a foreign citizen in front of you to say thank you.

In closing, I would like to say, WE veterans do not expect a big deal to be made out of our liVES with THE exception of this day, which is more than just words printed on a calendar or a day that banks are closed. So how is it possible to honor such men and women, both living and dead? We can bestow thanks and show our appreciation through memorials like this today. When you leave here today and if you have a veteran in your family, or if you see one, just simply say “thank you for the freedom I have,”and he or she will understand.