Councilman Matt Adams | November 10, 2023
Defending our great country, and the way of life that it stands for, affects us all. I don’t know of one Scotch Plains resident who does not have a story of perhaps a father, mother, grandfather, cousin or niece, or has proudly worn the uniform his or herself, in service of our freedom and liberty.
Both of my grandfathers served in World War II. My maternal grandfather, Douglas Sibole, and his wife, Anne, even performed in a wartime movie, “Winged Victory.” Anne, at 99, is still alive and is proud to tell you all about it. My grandfather’s service, more than 30 years after his passing, is still a source of pride for my grandmother.
I remember fondly visiting their home as a child and seeing a framed letter from the President of the United States on a coffee table commending my grandfather for his service to the nation. My paternal grandfather also served our nation in the military, working on communications systems at Fort Monmouth during the war.
Together, they were members of “The Greatest Generation” that liberated the world from tyranny. In my family, there is also my cousin, a U.S. Marine who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom experiencing heavy combat in Fallujah, the bloodiest battle of the war.
Veterans Day is tomorrow, and once again will be celebrating the enormous sacrifices of family members, friends and neighbors willing to lay down their lives for this great country. It is an important time to educate our children about what it takes to defend freedom and why our freedom needs to be cherished so deeply.
On a typical fall Saturday, with plenty of other distractions in our daily lives, it is easy to overlook the silent sacrifices made by those who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding our nation's freedom. Our safety, security, and liberty is easily taken for granted. It is often times second nature.
That is precisely why it is our solemn duty to pause, reflect, and express our deepest gratitude for our Veterans’ unwavering service and the profound impact that Veterans have made on our collective well-being.
On Veterans Day, I think of people like my colleague, Councilman Roc White, a U.S. Marine who served in the Gulf War, who quietly goes about his life without seeking accolades. Indeed, I know that he would rather not be highlighted in this message. To Councilman White and countless others like him, being part of something greater than one’s self is a vocation and calling that carries no individual fanfare, although the men and women of our military are deeply deserving of public displays of gratitude.
That is why, in our town, we make it a point to celebrate our veteran community - between the soldiers who are honored with their names on our street poles and banners, or engraved on plaques at the American Legion hall and on our war memorials downtown.
Veterans – living and dead – are deeply intertwined in the fabric of Scotch Plains. They are part of us, every day of the year. They are pillars of our community. Like Councilman White, they carry out their civilian duties, care for their families, and contribute to society.
These men and women, hailing from diverse backgrounds, left behind loves ones to answer the call to serve, pushing back personal aspirations to face the perils of war and the uncertainties of harsh military life. Their sacrifices extend beyond the battlefield, encompassing the emotional toll of witnessing firsthand the horrors of war and the enduring physical and psychological scars that often remain invisible to us.
As we mark another Veterans Day in Scotch Plains, let’s not just consider it a day of remembrance on a calendar filled with days of remembrance. Let it be the first day of a new mind set when it comes to honoring our veterans. Let’s make every day Veterans Day. Let’s go out of our way to honor their sacrifices all year long, because without them, our lives would look a lot differently.
This year, let’s make it a call to action. Let’s not just honor our Veterans and blindly say, “Thank you for your service.” We need to recognize the challenges they face upon their return to civilian life. As a community, we must do our part, where possible, to ensure local Veterans have access to adequate healthcare, housing, education, and employment opportunities. When a Veteran is struggling, lets lift them up, together.
Let’s celebrate Veteran-owned businesses, and ensure their success. Let’s support Veterans outreach programs with our time and money.
Engaging our youth is also important. We must instill in our children a stronger sense of patriotism, civic engagement, and an unwavering belief in the ideals of freedom and democracy. Connecting Scotch Plains youth with local Veterans – and having the next generation be inspired by the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity –– is a valuable way to mark Veterans Day.
As America faces challenging times, with global threats to our national security a constant concern, let us reaffirm unwavering commitment of our Veterans, the guardians of our freedom, ensuring that the torch of liberty continues to illuminate our path forward.
Join us tomorrow at the War Memorial/Gazebo on Park Avenue for our annual Veterans Day service. The event begins at 10:30 a.m., with the service promptly at 11:11 a.m.
