A Salute to our Veterans
The following is the speech that I gave at the Veterans Day ceremony in Newport on November 11, 2006
I am a deer hunter, and although deer hunting begins today, when I woke up this morning I knew where it was more important to be – right here. Although I am not a veteran, my father is a veteran as were my uncles and great great grandfather.
For as long as I can remember, I have tried to come to the Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies in Newport, first as a young boy with my parents, then as a young father with my children in tow. In later years I came here as a writer. But each time, I came here to pay my respects to the veterans.
It only seems natural that as one of the newest members of the Vermont House of Representatives that this is my first act as a legislator – to say, “Thank You- Thank You for Service to Your Country”
When I look out into the crowd, I see some of the faces of the servicemen that I have interviewed for my publication, Vermont’s Northland Journal.
Being a history person, let me tell you about a soldier from Derby who fought in the Civil War. Willie Johnston of Salem, Vermont (which has since be incorporated into Derby) was a member of the Third Vermont Regiment.
During the summer of 1862, the Army of the Potomac, under the leadership of General George McClellan, was on the verge of capturing Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy, when the battle turned against the Union Forces. The Army of the Potomac began a fighting retreat back to Harrison Landing.
Many soldiers seeing approaching death fled, but Johnston refused to abandon his duties. Because of his heroism, and dedication to duty, Johnston was awarded the Medal of Honor.
That young soldier from Derby was an 11 years old drummer boy. Many of you probably know that the role of a drummer during the Civil War was far more than about making music. The drums were a form of battlefield communication. When all the other drummer boys dropped their drums and fled, Johnston held onto his drum and continued to provide his fellow soldiers with important battlefield communications, communications that most likely saved hundreds of lives.
Willie was, and still is, the youngest person to every receive the Medal of Honor.
Thank you Willie for service to your country, and thank you to all the veterans here today for protecting the United States of America.