Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Earl Kishida served as guest speaker read this poem.
“It is the Soldier”
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army
Good Morning Gloucester 
Thank you for sharing… I attended some of this event this a.m. I felt quite proud of my own Rev. Wendy Fitting from my U.U.C. speaking at one point. I especially loved the bagpipes…
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Wonderful posts for Memorial Day ~ thank you ~ for honoring all ~ ^_^
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Thank you so much for these beautiful photos; I live on Kent Circle and am lucky to have a Dad that is still around: 69 years after he left home to join the Army, was wounded three times, and ended up being the sole survivor in an amazing group of brave (the oldest being 23) young men.
Proud to be an American!
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