In no way am I meaning to degrade the topic, nor the man, but it's important to distinguish concepts here.
To remember this man today is good, but there were many, many others that came before him, and after him. His name only has significance in that he was the very last of the known WWI vets. No one remembers the 14th, nor the 2,339th, etc. The first and last entity of every major event are always known. His legend is that of happenstance; he outlived the others. Although no small feat, I do not salute him for that.
I salute his context, his fortitude, his committment, regardless of what date he was born to this world or departed from it.
What this man sought, bought and fought for is of consequence; that is the true measure of a man or woman. I suspect he, like most of our forefathers, would be mightly pleased if the values and freedoms they cherished were carried on.
How many of you know Samuel Jay Alley? I doubt any of you do; I would not expect you to. He is my gr-gr-gr-gr-grandfather, and he served three enlistments in the American Revolution. Just because you do not know of him, does not mean you don't appreciate his valor and sacrifice. On the other hand, to know his name, does not guarantee that you would embrace his efforts. That can be said of everyone even to this day, serving our country. I don't know them all, but I appreciate them all.
To teach our children not just the concepts but the actions necessary to more forward with honor and integrity are the greatest virtues. Dignity, honor, county, freedom mean nothing if not practiced; merely knowing of them is not enough - we must engage in them.
It is of note to remember this man's name; it is of great importance to remember his contribution. How many of us would have stood repeatedly in line, trying to serve, after being told "No" so many times, but feeling compelled to serve. It is nice to know his name, but it is his committment and sense of singular purpose that I honor today.
If the compulsion that drove this man to honor and serice and sacrifice is lost, it is the fault of his generation; it is the fault of ours.
