Rotary Celebrates Veterans in Honorary Program

November 8, 2011: Rotarian Steve Morse introduced our speaker, fellow Rotarian, Colonel Myron Charles Harrington, Jr. Born in Georgia and a 1960 graduate of The Citadel, Colonel Harrington was commissioned 2nd Lt. US Marine Corps in 1961. He earned a masters degree in Public Administration from Shipppensburg State College in PA in 1980. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1991 and in 1992, joined the staff of Trident Academy of Mount Pleasant as Headmaster. Upon his retirement from Trident in 2007, he was designated Headmaster Emeritus. In 2008, he was appointed Co-Chairman of the Medal of Honor Convention 2010 Committee. He is the recipient of a long list of service and campaign medals. Personal Decorations include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and Gold Star in lieu of second award, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, and the Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal 1st Class.

Colonel Harrington spoke about the meaning and significance of Veterans Day. Below are excerpts of his eloquently-delivered speech.

“This week, in communities large and small, all over our great country, people will gather to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans, some who gave their all so that we may enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this glorious day in Charleston. …The many veterans here today are, no doubt, remembering their comrades who, on the field of battle, became their brothers, sisters, and their most trusted friends. But all of us are here to honor and recognize those veterans and their services that allow us to live in freedom and not in oppression.”

“As we reflect over our lifetime, I know that each of you realize how truly blessed we are to live in this great nation. But we need to know that our presence as citizens of this wonderful land is not a gift from God or just our luck to be born here. We have the privilege of living in this great nation because those who preceded us had the willingness to fight, shed their blood, and yes, even die so that we may live free in a country with liberty and justice for all. …It is up to us to keep their legacy always in our memory.”

“In the past 236 years of our history as a nation, from the revolutionary war to Afghanistan, we have had 11 major wars or conflicts and hundreds of smaller conflicts that have been lost in history, but nevertheless, men and women have served and died defending our freedoms. Over these years, almost 50 million of our citizens have served in time of war or conflict. Over one million died gaining and preserving our way of life. Approximately 22 million are living today.”

“This Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to give thanks for and remember our heroes, ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things, warriors who went through some of the most difficult and challenging times in our history. Thinking of them and their heroic deeds and sacrifice renews our spirits, feeds our soul, makes us stand tall and proud, and validates their sacrifice and especially the ultimate sacrifice of those who fell in battle.”

“So today, ladies and gentlemen, let us remember the legion upon legion of veterans who, throughout our history, have served and especially those who died for me, for you, for our country and are still dying today. …God bless you. God bless America. Thank you.”

Colonel Harrington received a standing ovation.

Submitted by Loretta Wilson, Keyway Committee