A Veterans Day Message

The following remarks were given by Col Sean Frisbee, USAF (ret.), on 11 Nov 17 in Morgantown, WV at the Veterans Day Ceremony

Good morning, warriors!

It's an honor to be here today, commemorating what began on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in 1918 as Armistice Day--a day that signaled the cessation of hostilities of the war to end all wars--a day we now know as Veterans Day.

If you've ever worn our nation's uniform, today is your day and we are here to honor YOU! Thank you for your service. Today is also a day of reflection as we remember those whom we've lost and those who remain missing.

It's especially inspiring for me to be here in Morgantown this Veterans Day because just down the road in Stansbury Hall, a little more than 30 years ago, I raised my right hand and took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Little did I know back then that those words spoken that day would guide me and, in many ways, define me for the rest of my life.

Now, to be honest, unlike many of you here today, I didn't take that oath because I was hell bent on serving our country. I didn't even know what serving our country meant. I didn't take that oath because America was at war; there WAS no war at that time! I didn't take it because I was inspired by the servicemen and women I knew. At that time, I had never been on a military base and, except for the ROTC Cadre, I had never even talked to a military person. I didn't take it because I had a long line of military service in my family and felt obligated to follow my family tradition and serve. I took that oath because I needed to pay for college and Uncle Sam was willing to step up and write a big 'ole fat tuition check!

But like all of you, I found out very quickly that serving in the military isn't about getting a check. It's not a job where one gets paid for simply doing good work. It's not even a way of life. When you're wearing our nation's uniform, it IS your life! It infiltrates every aspect of your being. It subsumes you, your spouse, your children, your parents, your brothers and your sisters. It determines where you live, how you act and the decisions you make. Service to our country is 24/7/365. It takes us to faraway lands, keeps us away from our families, places us in circumstances most people can't even fathom, and often puts us in harms way...all while feeding us some really bad food!

So why do we do it? Well, we all begin our military service for a variety of reasons and, frankly, the reason doesn't matter. Whether you volunteered or you were volun-told, you put on that uniform, raised your right hand and expressed your willingness to fight and die for the United States of America, and for that your nation is grateful.

Anyone who served in combat knows that when the shooting begins, service to our country becomes personal really fast. Supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States quickly comes into focus as survival and protection of what you care about most--those serving by your side. In the foxhole, in the air, on the sea, General MacArthur's rallying point of courage through Duty, Honor, Country is executed real-time by fighting for each other. It is at that moment many of us find our heroes and those we hold dear in our heart forever.

Our willingness of self-sacrifice is what creates the undying bond among all who serve. No matter your race, rank, gender, age, service, where you were raised or your socio-economic status, this bond transcends it all. Just last weekend, we had retired Navy Lt Jim Downing, a 104-year-old WWII veteran and survivor of Pearl Harbor here in town. Jim had us spellbound as he told the story of being on the USS West Virginia while it was being attacked in Pearl Harbor. His story was very personal and it focused on those he served with and those who perished. At the end of his story, he commented that, "our men gave a good account of themselves." I'm betting each of you could say the same about the men and women you served with and I'll bet each of you, while generations apart, would have felt the bond that I felt sitting with a man who served a full five decades before me.

What struck me most about Lt Downing is that although he took off the uniform many, many years ago, he never stopped serving. In his community, at high schools and universities, at veteran centers and in many other places, he continues to support our nation to this day--at 104 years old!

 I asked him what advice he has for a 50-year-old retired Air Force Colonel and he said, “I want you to think about three words.” He then paused as I waited with anticipation and he went on to explain that in the 1980s, President Reagan gave a speech that boiled down three words, "weakness invites aggression." He challenged me to consider what I could do to ensure that America stays strong. It was an inspiring moment.

So, on this Veterans Day, in addition to saying thank you for your service, I ask you to join me in Lt Downing's challenge: consider what you can do to help America remain strong. Consider how you can inspire those serving now or motivate our children to consider service to their country.

Many of you continue to serve long after you’ve taken off the uniform. You're supporting our troops and families when they deploy. You're welcoming them home when they return. You volunteer to care for veterans who desperately need help and you are always a reminder of service and sacrifice when our brothers and sisters are laid to rest. Thank you for your willingness to continue serving.

Upon closing, I want to say thank you to the unsung heroes among us today. These heroes are our families. Military families endure long separations, spouses interrupt their careers to move every couple of years and shoulder parental responsibilities, our children often miss the influence of a mom or dad while we're away. By this very nature, you too have done your part in serving our country and we are eternally grateful for your sacrifices. I salute you!

God Bless you for being here today, God Bless our Veterans, and God Bless the United States of America!

Thank you.

The following is a short video excerpt from my interview with Lt Downing during his visit to West Virginia University on 4 Nov 17.

Colonel Sean Frisbee, USAF (ret.), is President and CEO of West Virginia University Alumni Association Inc. and West Virginia University’s Vice President of Alumni Relations. He also serves as the Senior Veterans Advisor to the President of West Virginia University. He can be reached at [email protected]