Loyalty Day 2020

(Greetings)

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to virtually gather today. The COVID-19 pandemic has had many negative impacts on our world and our daily lives, but one silver lining, is that it has also reminded us of how resilient, tenacious and steadfast the American people are.No matter the challenges we face, and the destruction and heartache trials like this bring, we will always find a way to rise above, and stand together united.

It is times like this, and days like today, that serve to remind us what Loyalty Day truly is about. It reminds us that Loyalty Day is a celebration of America, and everything our nation stands for. It provides the chance to pause for a moment, and look back at where we’ve been, and most importantly to look ahead at where our nation will go.

Originally observed as “Americanization Day” in 1921 and enacted into public law by Congress in 1958, Loyalty Day celebrates the legacy of freedom and the shared ideals that bind our great nation together. While initially established to counterbalance the May 1 celebrations of the Communist Party in the United States, the day has endured as a permanent fixture on America’s calendar.

Even as the Communist threat has greatly diminished over the years, Loyalty Day remains a day worth recognizing … bringing back into focus the great principles of freedom and democratic values that define our nation.

Some of the holidays we celebrate honor great Americans, while others recognize great moments in our history. But this one – Loyalty Day – celebrates everything, from the moment we delivered our Declaration of Independence to the British, to the moment we decided to come together from locations all across our great city and nation.

Today, we must remind others and ourselves that there is no substitute for loyalty, and we must pledge ourselves to maintain and defend a free society in which loyalty is respected and encouraged.

In his 2008 Loyalty Day proclamation, President George W. Bush said, “Americans believe that every man, woman, and child has unalienable rights, dignity, and matchless value. Advancing these ideals was the honorable vision of our Founders and the mission that helped shape this great country. On Loyalty Day, we celebrate the legacy of freedom and the shared ideals that bind us together.

“Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen demonstrate their love of country by stepping forward when America needs them most. By putting our country’s security before their own, the men and women of the Armed Forces have strengthened our Nation and brought hope to millions around the world. All Americans are grateful to the members of the military and their families for their service, sacrifice, and dedication, and we are proud of their accomplishments.”

We must not forget that sacrifices will continue to be demanded of our military as they fight and protect us against the new evils of today.

It is our duty to ensure comfort and support is given to those who sacrifice so much to keep us safe. It is our obligation to fully demonstrate our commitment to them and to prove that America stands behind them. It is the least we can do.

America’s history has been built by generations of citizens who have endured many struggles to sustain our freedom and to uphold the guiding values of which our Founding Fathers fought so fiercely. And in our great nation, a place where human dignity is treasured above all, American ideals continue to allow for growth, distinction and an opportunity for success.

Woodrow Wilson once said, “America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal – to discover and maintain liberty.” And it is those same ideals and values – freedom, democracy and equal justice – that make us unique in the world today.

As we look toward the future with determination and hope, we can take pride in knowing that these legacies of freedom, so gallantly defended by so many, will be there for generations to come.

Happy Loyalty Day!

-VFW-