Office of the Mayor City of Jacksonville

Alvin Brown

2013 Memorial Day Wall Speech

May 27, 2013 as prepared for delivery

Thank you, Admiral Guillory, and thank you all for joining us today at this very special place in the

heart of our city. It’s amazing to think that nearly 20 years have gone by since we, as a proud and

patriotic city, first dedicated our Veterans Memorial Wall to the honor, courage and sacrifice of so

many. They say time flies, and they’re right.

Think for just a moment that the babies born as our Wall went under construction may very well be

in uniform today as full-grown adults. Or that some of the younger recruits would now be thinking

about retirement. Or, sadly, that our city has added even more names of loved ones who made

that ultimate sacrifice.

That’s why it’s so important for us all to be here. On Memorial Day, we gather to renew our

nation’s spirit. Each of us plays an important role. It’s a time to honor those who invested their

lives not only in our freedom, but that of our children and grandchildren.

In duty they were selfless. In death they are remembered, and they are in our hearts. Not just

today, but every day. While today is just as easily a day off work, or a day to hit the beach, or light

the barbeque, I ask that everyone also thinks about the well-being of our nation. We have enjoyed

many decades of progress in America. In Jacksonville alone, we are seeing signs of renewed

strength in our job market, our neighborhoods and our schools.

These are all great things. But the roots of our blessings grow heartily from the actions of so many

we come to honor today. Behind each of these names is a personality, a family and a story of

what drove them to enlist and serve. That’s what today is all about.

In a city like Jacksonville, where nearly a quarter of the population is tied to the military, we

understand this unlike anywhere else. The men and women in uniform are not simply soldiers,

sailors or Marines. They are our brothers and sisters. They are our neighbors, friends and loved

ones. In Jacksonville, our heroes live among us.

Throughout the past two years, it’s been an honor for me to work closely with our military and

veterans’ community as we all help to make our city a better place. I’ve met so many countless

men and women and their families, along with many veterans’ groups. They each reside so deeply

in our city’s fabric.

For many of them, we know that Memorial Day is every day. We know that many continue to

mourn the loss of personal friends and loved ones. And that many lament the wounds – both

physical and invisible – that have altered the lives of so many young men and women.

And it doesn’t take much more than a glance at the news to understand that the freedom we enjoy

is shared by a relative few worldwide.

President Kennedy once said that “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also

by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” Let’s all take stock of our blessings and give a

moment to reflect on the past to contemplate challenges met, progress made and missions

completed.

No matter what conflict took them, no matter how long ago or how far away, today we remember.

We honor their stories and the families left behind, and we salute those next generations who fight

on in their honor.