A LOOK BACK AT VETERANS DAY IN BROWNSVILLE, PORT ISABEL

WE HONOR OUR VETERANS EVERY DAY

(Remarks by JP-1 Benny Ochoa in Port Isabel on Veterans Day)

It was just a year ago that we met here to honor our men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Some of the faces that were here last year are not with us today. God willing, we will see them again.

During that time, other Americans have stepped forward and taken the oath to defend our country against its enemies.

In Memorial Day we honor those who didn’t come back home to their country or to their families. Today, we honor those who served and who came back home. Some carry the scars of war on their bodies. Others bear the scars in their minds. We will care for them and thank them – and you – for serving our country.

Our nation is made strong by its citizen soldiers. That strength is shown by the fact that we just had a presidential election and the transition of power is being carried out in peace and supported by our national institutions. We respect both the winners and those who lost and go forward as one people.

Our veterans served to make that possible.

When children play in a park in safety, thank a veteran.

When our elderly get the food and medical care they need, thank a vet.

When young girls can dream of running for president, thank a veteran.

When protesters march against war, a veteran gave them that right.

When a reporter is free to write a story for a free press, he can thank a veteran.

Today, we can gather freely and express our appreciation to our veterans because citizen-soldiers before us gave us that right.

I have been given the privilege of telling you on behalf of our community, thank you for your service. God bless you and God Bless the United States of America.