News
Editorial: We are the heirs
Scott Wagar
11/05/2013
John F. Kennedy made one of the most profound statements about America’s veterans when he stated, “We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution.”
Over 230 years later, and numerous wars, we can still live by the words of Kennedy as being the heirs of freedom thanks to the veterans of our land who gave it their all and went to war and fought for the freedoms of our country.
In Bottineau County, we live among many great veterans who served their county well. Throughout the town history, its residents have lived among veterans who have fought in just about every major war in our country’s history.
Individuals who go to the Memorial Building will be able to see the battles our veterans have fought in. The history is extensive and filled with brave men who placed themselves in danger time and time again to protect our freedom. From hand to hand combat, bombing missions, to naval battles our veterans conducted their missions like true warriors, and did so in an honorably and moral manner.
These same soldiers, who when they left the services and became veterans back in their hometowns, brought back to their communities the same honor and morals they were taught in the service and have continued in serving their fellow soldiers and communities in the same way they fought for their country.
These veterans are often seen in the community today assisting schools, organizations, families and individuals in their everyday needs. They raise money for their brothers-in-arm and the local townspeople; provide medical care for such issues as soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder and local residents with cancer needs; serve food to the hungry; participate in patriotic ceremonies for community events; the list goes on and on.
I often wonder who would conduct all the events that take place in Bottineau County if it wasn’t for our veterans. I feel that if it wasn’t for our veterans a lot of productive, successful community events would not happen if it wasn’t for our veterans who volunteer so much of their time to simply, very simply help the towns they live in, in Bottineau County.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to our veterans in our county, and nation, for the wars they have fought in and battles they continue to do today on the home front. Kennedy was right, “we are the heirs” of our soldiers and veterans, and we should strive to be more like them in their moral ways and respecting others.