The observance of Veterans Day has passed, bringing with it reflections on those who have served our armed forces, those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those currently in uniform prepared to do the same. Chelsea has lost hundreds of residents to military service dating back to the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War claimed more than a handful of local lives. Dozens of Chelsea residents fell during the Civil War. The conflicts of World War 1, World War II, Korea and Vietnam each claimed hundreds upon hundreds of lives in the struggle for freedom. This year featured no parade, only select commemorative services held at local burial grounds and at the Soldiers Home. For Baby Boomers whose fathers fought in World War II, there remains a vivid memory of annual parades marching up Broadway filled with veterans—a tradition that began in childhood and continued well into the 1990. Those processions showcased thousands of veterans alongside floats and marching bands, making Veterans Day in Chelsea a memorable occasion. That sense of significance endures, yet the parades themselves have ceased; none have taken place in years. The World War II generation is passing away at an accelerating rate, and of the thousands who once marched, only a small number remain healthy enough to participate. What persists as the true meaning of this holiday, as the nation evolves, is the foundational belief that inspired so many to serve, fight and sacrifice across centuries. The courageous servicemen and women deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and around the globe, serving in defense of freedom and our nation, represent the new generation of heroes following in the footsteps of their predecessors. That is the essence of this holiday—honoring the sacrifices made by veterans past and present. It is about gratitude for a nation devoted to freedom and justice, and for the men and women willing to serve and sacrifice to preserve these principles. Veterans Day 2009 was an occasion for remembrance.
Veterans Day 2009
