The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
The Call of Duty
By John Lockwood, Memorial Day Speaker
PUBLISHED: May 31, 2007
Thank you for inviting me here today to speak and represent all of America's veterans.
Advertisement
Memorial Day has always been one of remembrance — the memory of service members, past and present.
The duty of the armed forces is to defend one's country. The past has revealed that when war comes, that the support of one's nation is essential. Their successful service would not be possible without this support. History has even shown us wars are won based on the amount of support the troops have back home. However, we do notalways remember to honor families, friends and community who make service to one's country honorable.
For those of us in the armed forces, we require a ton of support, care andlove. When the word came I was to be sent to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I received plenty from my family and friends. I, of course, was worried as to how it would affect the lives around me.
The family and friends of all of us Marines stepped up to the challenge, which allowed us to do what we needed to do. We spent several months inCalifornia training aggressively for our mission. While there, we receivedcountless letters and prayers of encouragement. The support we receivedreinforced our dedication and commitment to our mission and our country.
Once in Iraq, our focus was turned to fighting the insurgency and for thefirst time we actually saw who we were fighting. Our families sensed thechange, but they continued to take our phone calls, send letters, picturesand care packages. For us, we lived for mail call.
When in a war, nomatter the clime or place, the one common thread among the troops is theyhave something to link them to home — be it a picture, a letter, or a lockof hair, such as I did with my wife Lisa's hair.
I saw myself either coming home or not coming home at all. Life over therewas literally kill or be killed. I never imagined being seriously woundedor having to endure a long, painful, and difficult road to recovery.
On Nov. 19, 2006, those things were placed into motion when a buriedIED struck the HMMWV I was in. The insurgent that detonated the IED thatcaused my severe injuries was also responsible for killing a great friend ofmine and a true patriot, Marine Lcpl. Jeremy Shock. From that point on, life was permanently changed.
Several days after theexplosion, I arrived at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.Awaiting me was my family and in spirit my friends and community.
I spent almost five months recovering in the hospital. During our stay, wewere aware of a change that was taking place back home. Friends and familywere helping and always calling to make sure we were OK and offering prayers and encouragement. Before we knew it we were receiving phone calls frompeople we had never met offering the same support.
Sergeant Basso of the Saline Police Department, Sergeant Armstrong of the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office, the Saline American Legion, Saline Area FireDepartment, Saline Area Schools and the community as a whole organized aspaghetti dinner and fund-raiser supporting me and my family. Word gotaround. People came from all over, including other states who had just heardabout what had happened.
I was humbled, embarrassed, thankful, appreciative and amazed at the sametime. I have never heard of a community coming together like you did.
On this Memorial Day, we recognize the path of service members, past andpresent, and understand the importance of support. I've realized when a person joins the armed services it's not just them, but everyone they know.
I would like to take this time to personally thank all of you for everything you have done. You have done so selflessly and graciously. Thank you.
View video of John Lockwood delivering his speech on Memorial Day at www.heritage.com.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
Staff Blog, "Inside The Newsroom"
TOP JOBS
