MG Vallely speaks at the Montana Rodeo August 19th Kalispell Fair
By Paul E. Vallely
Today we salute and honor our Wounded Warriors, all members of our Armed Forces, Veterans and Patriots of America. We remember our fallen heroes, the men and women who answered the call of freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us remember and thank them for the nights they slept freezing in a tent or sweating in the desert, for the lonely days they spent fighting boredom and missing loved ones, for the hours they spent sick in pain from battle and without someone holding their hand other than their fellow soldiers, for the moments of sheer fright in the heat of battle, for the wounds suffered fighting evil, for the endless days in hospitals undergoing painful surgeries, for the precious occasions missed at home with family and friends.
The General escorted into the ceremony via wagon ride
For all of these sacrifices, we need to thank them on behalf of millions of Americans who are so grateful. We truly appreciate their dedication to duty. A special thank you to all families and friends, to the parents who raised them, stood by them and made them honorable men and woman. We thank the wives, husbands, and loved ones who stood by them and supported them with their love.
May their legacy be honored for generations to come, may the tears shed over their coffins fertilize the fields of patriotism in our nation. The new generations to come must be built on strength, duty, honor and country, willing and able to follow in their Warrior footsteps when duty calls to defend America. May their blood not have been shed in vain. May we prove worthy of their sacrifice.
You who have served and are serving as our brave ones, our heroes, are our national treasures. You are the pride of our nation, our strength and our foundation. Thanks to you, millions have been freed around the world. Those who criticize our country, burn our precious flag, and speak ill of this country, are able to do so because their freedom is built upon their blood and sacrifice.
Our son speaks from his resting place below our feet here in the Flathead Valley. He speaks to me each day from his hallowed space with beautiful skies and mountains majestic white with snow. God bless his soul and the others we thank them for their wonderful contribution to our life. They must live forever in our hearts and memories. I fear no evil when I walk with Warriors. We walk in the valley of death but we fear no evil. We are the Masters of our Destiny and the Captain of our souls. They are the wind beneath our wings. We fly with you forever in eternity.
We remember those who have served our nation in the past and those who currently serve America today. I went to Walter Reed Army Hospital last week and visited four of our recently Wounded Warriors, their family members and the Medical Staff. It was heart-wrenching and emotional to say the least. Please take a moment to remember and honor America’s fallen and current day warriors who are advancing freedom’s cause today. WE salute you one and all. WE bow before you in respect and humility. May God bless you and God bless America, land of the free and home of the brave. Thank you for being here today.
