It is an honor to participate each year in Sudbury's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony with an Invocation and a few words.
Honoring those who gave it all for America and the values that it represents, is humbling and something which I think is so important to do.
This year I shared the story of Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds as I thought that his story and what he did, is something that is extra relevant this year.
79 years ago in Germany’s STALAG IXA Camp, where over 1000 US Soldiers were being held in captivity, the Nazi officer gave an order that all the Jews among them should stand outside their barracks for a special selection.
Everyone knew what that would mean for them…
Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds of the 422nd Infantry Regiment was the senior noncommissioned officer among the group of prisoners of war who had been captured in the Battle of the Bulge, and he told his fellow American soldiers, that tomorrow morning, everyone of them was going to stand outside the barracks, not just the Jewish captured soldiers.
When the Nazi officer saw that all 1000 US Soldiers were standing outside their barracks the next morning, he said to Roddie Edmonds, “they cannot all be Jews”.
Edmands replied “today, we are all Jews”.
The officer promptly drew his gun and pointed it at Edmands and demanded that only the Jews stand forward for the selection.
Edmands stood his ground, and reminded the Nazi that the war was almost over and he will be tried as a War Criminal if he does this.
Paul Stern, who was also taken prisoner during that battle, was Jewish and stood near Edmonds during the exchange. “Although seventy years have passed,” Stern told Yad Vashem, “I can still hear the words he said to the German camp commander.”
There were dozens of Jewish soldiers whose lives were saved that day, thanks to Roddie Edmands and every one of the US Soldiers who stood their ground even in captivity, to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Jewish brothers in arms.
This is one little anecdote, that tells the whole story, of what it is that our brave men and women of the US Armed Forces have fought for, to protect the US and all of the values that this great country represents, including equality and respect for all.
This year, when the ugly virus of hate has raised its head, and when antisemitism has risen to levels we have never before seen in this country, the bravery and dedication for all of those who have served this country comes to mind. Their sacrifice reminds us of what it was that they fought for and that so many gave their lives for, to give freedom, equality and respect to all.
They marched into walls of bullets on the beaches of Normandy, to overcome the Nazis and the tyranny and hatred that they represented and lived by, because they knew that this kind of hate had to be overcome, no matter what.
Thank you Veterans and Family Members for your sacrifice and for helping us all to live in a safer and more secure world.
May we all merit to see the fulfillment of the visions of the Prophets - when the work of righteous shall be peace, and its effect, tranquility and security forever; when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.