Think of it as an “inside out” parade – a rickety video shot of parade watchers from atop the fire truck as I joined city council members and the city manager in the Veterans Day Parade. After the parade, a new Veterans Memorial was dedicated at the rebuilt Veterans Stadium. Along with Congressman Goodlatte, Superviser Breeden and JMU President Rose, I shared a few words (below the video).

Thank you. It is an honor to be here on behalf of the city council and the residents of Harrisonburg to dedicate this memorial to fallen soldiers of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

This memorial shall stand as a reminder for us of each individual person who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation, our freedom, and peace on Earth.

As we begin attending baseball games and other activities in this beautiful new stadium, we have the opportunity to not only honor our fallen each time we pass the memorial, but to do their acrifice justice by remembering what their sacrifice made possible.

They allowed for us to peacefully gather here today; to have a safe place to raise a family and educate our youth; to make America, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the central Shenandoah Valley a destination for people from around the world who come to call this place home.

Most importantly, the soldiers we honor today protected our ability to add our voice to the decisions made by our government.  Whether it be about a golf course, a school being sold, chickens in the backyard, or how to best provide for for the health and welfare of our citizens, we can honor our fallen soldiers and those who serve, past and present, by participating vigorously and respectfully in our democracy with each passing day.

May this memorial stand to honor our fallen and the core principles of the democracy they fought to protect.  Let us never forget them or disrespect them by not casting the votes – our votes – that they died to protect.