Today, in the 11th month, on the 11th day, in this the 11th hour;
I would like to pay tribute to those who stood up and did not cower;
to those who in the face of adversity showed the last full measure of devotion,
who sacrificed their lives so that I could sit here now so filled with emotion.
As I think of you brave men and women who gave everything you had,
I feel so much pride and love for you all, but I cannot also help but feel sad.

If more evidence were needed of devotion to ones people and to that of their country,
we need not look no further than to those who have fought in war to make the world free.
In Remembrance of the Veterans that have died and to those that live to see Armistice day;
to the families, and the innocents of war- this is the only way that I know how to pay
my heartfelt gratitude to you for the sacrifice that you have made
in the name of freedom, and that of coming to another’s aid.

I could never imagine the horrors that you went through, nor the fear that you felt,
I could never express in words my true feelings about the cost the world has been dealt.
I could never quantify the affect that war has had on you who have fought in it,
I could never truly come close to having the courage that you have had to commit.
I could never put into words the true debt that is owed, nor the respect that is due;
but what I would really like to say is two words long: thank you!

nunquam alieno

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