U.S. Army Major (Retired) Kevin Creed at American Legion Post 44 in Bantam
In an age of domestic terrorism, the celebration of Veteran’s Day is a vivid reminder of the price paid by military personnel to ensure our liberty, according to U.S. Army Major Kevin Creed.
Creed was the guest speaker for Tuesday’s ceremonies at Tyler-Seward-Kubish Post 44 of the American Legion in Bantam. He retired after 20 years service with the Army, which included tours of duty in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Europe.
“This is s time of war,” said Creed. “Our country has been attacked, and we are engaged in a clear struggle between good and evil. Our enemy hates us for no other reason than that we exist. They are cowardly and cruel and exploit the name of God to try and justify their actions.”
Creed said it is important to remember that our “strength of our arms” has ensured liberty for centuries and will keep peace in the future. He praised the current generation of soldiers, sailors, and airmen for volunteering to serve in dangerous places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
“They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different, and difficult places,” he said. “They have stood watch in blinding deserts and on snowy mountains. They have extended the opportunity of self-government to peoples that have suffered tyranny and war.”
The tradition of honoring veterans started after World War I, which ended when armistice was declared at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. About 116,000 Americans died in that war.
“In today’s wars, there is not always a simple ceremony that signals our troops’ success,” said Creed. “But the measure of their impact is no less great. In a world of threats that know no borders, it will be marked in the safety of our cities and towns and the security and opportunity that is extended abroad.”
John Lilley, post finance officer, served as master of ceremonies.
“If we fail to honor our veterans, their efforts will have been in vain,” he said. “We must provide aid for the wounded and disabled, because the battle is not over.”
The program concluded with a salute by the post firing squad and the playing of taps. Members of Post 27 in Litchfield also attended the ceremony.
