Speech Patriots Day 2004
Speech On The Occasion of Patriots Day
Delivered By Crook County Judge Scott R. Cooper
Crook County Courthouse, Sept. 11, 2004
A few days ago, as I was thinking about what I might say at this event, I received an email. It was from a young Oregonian serving in the American armed forces and currently stationed on the front lines in Iraq.
The young man is originally from Bandon, Oregon. His name is Adam Forrest. The basketball fans among you might recognize the name of his father, Bayard Forrest, a former NBA player.
Mr. Forrest is a distant relation to an uncle of mine. In his effort to make some sense of the events that he faces every day, he writes to his family. He included with his email, poem—a poem which summed up eloquently the reasons we gather here today.
I cannot read you the entire verse. It is too long, and in some regards too graphic for this audience and this event. But its spirit was so powerful, I felt it could not remain locked away in my deleted email file. So here, with some abridgement and modification to fit the occasion, I offer you today this young soldier’s thoughts penned on a day not so very long ago in a place so very far away from here.
His body lay motionless, not even a manHe’s no more than 16, his gun still in his hand.I’m searching for answers, but I can’t understand,How can they send their children to die for their land?
For sure, war is hell. Too many good people die.I can still see his face, and the look in his eye.
I have to remember to keep in perspectiveAll that goes on—let’s not forget the objective.
I’m fighting for what’s right, and I’ll never give in,I’m defending my country against evil men.
We have taken this fight to a land not our own.
We did so in defense of our lives and our homes.
I can’t always say I like the things that I do,But you’ve got to remember, my intentions are true.
I’m fighting each day for the values we cherish
If we don’t defend it, our freedom will perish.
It’s principle we fight for, and the fight’s not in vainIf necessary, I’d do it all over again.
On this day—Patriot’s Day, a day of Remembrance—this young, scared, thoughtful American reminds us of an important premise stated so eloquently by the great English protector of rights, Edmund Burke, who said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
On a bright clear fateful morning in September 2001 in the great city of New York our nation looked Evil in the face. And when we did, we not flinch. We did not falter. And we did not “Do Nothing.”
Instead, within days of that terrible day, we commenced a long and arduous journey to confront Evil head on. Today, brave young men and women like Adam Forrest continue to fight that battle for us, and I believe that history’s judgment will recognize that their service and sacrifice has indeed not been in vain.
That said, I recognize that this nation is not unified in its beliefs about how best to respond to Evil. We need only to turn on the television or radio or pick up the newspaper to hear the debate. From the Capitol to the statehouse, from the Courthouse lawn to the coffee shop, the debate goes on. It is a sign of a healthy democracy. It is a sign that nation that the principles for which our Founding Fathers were willing to risk their lives remain intact.
The Adam Forrests of the world differ from our enemies because they fight not in support of a particular political viewpoint. They have no stake in the outcome of the present conflict. Instead, they are the “Good men and women” of whom Edward Burke spoke. They make no personal judgments about the steps that must be taken to prevent the triumph of Evil--however we choose to define it. Without regard for personal safety or point of view, these young men and women put their lives on the line in defense of ideals—ideals such as the rule of law and the extension and preservation of fundamental freedoms for all mankind.
On this day when we ponder the true meaning of Patriotism, let us keep before us their example. Let us Remember that Democracy and Freedom are not the natural states of our existence, but that they are dearly bought and paid for. Let us remember that the price of Freedom is eternal vigilance, let us Remember that whatever course great nations may choose in the fight against fight Great Evil to do nothing is never an option.
Delivered By Crook County Judge Scott R. Cooper
Crook County Courthouse, Sept. 11, 2004
A few days ago, as I was thinking about what I might say at this event, I received an email. It was from a young Oregonian serving in the American armed forces and currently stationed on the front lines in Iraq.
The young man is originally from Bandon, Oregon. His name is Adam Forrest. The basketball fans among you might recognize the name of his father, Bayard Forrest, a former NBA player.
Mr. Forrest is a distant relation to an uncle of mine. In his effort to make some sense of the events that he faces every day, he writes to his family. He included with his email, poem—a poem which summed up eloquently the reasons we gather here today.
I cannot read you the entire verse. It is too long, and in some regards too graphic for this audience and this event. But its spirit was so powerful, I felt it could not remain locked away in my deleted email file. So here, with some abridgement and modification to fit the occasion, I offer you today this young soldier’s thoughts penned on a day not so very long ago in a place so very far away from here.
His body lay motionless, not even a manHe’s no more than 16, his gun still in his hand.I’m searching for answers, but I can’t understand,How can they send their children to die for their land?
For sure, war is hell. Too many good people die.I can still see his face, and the look in his eye.
I have to remember to keep in perspectiveAll that goes on—let’s not forget the objective.
I’m fighting for what’s right, and I’ll never give in,I’m defending my country against evil men.
We have taken this fight to a land not our own.
We did so in defense of our lives and our homes.
I can’t always say I like the things that I do,But you’ve got to remember, my intentions are true.
I’m fighting each day for the values we cherish
If we don’t defend it, our freedom will perish.
It’s principle we fight for, and the fight’s not in vainIf necessary, I’d do it all over again.
On this day—Patriot’s Day, a day of Remembrance—this young, scared, thoughtful American reminds us of an important premise stated so eloquently by the great English protector of rights, Edmund Burke, who said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
On a bright clear fateful morning in September 2001 in the great city of New York our nation looked Evil in the face. And when we did, we not flinch. We did not falter. And we did not “Do Nothing.”
Instead, within days of that terrible day, we commenced a long and arduous journey to confront Evil head on. Today, brave young men and women like Adam Forrest continue to fight that battle for us, and I believe that history’s judgment will recognize that their service and sacrifice has indeed not been in vain.
That said, I recognize that this nation is not unified in its beliefs about how best to respond to Evil. We need only to turn on the television or radio or pick up the newspaper to hear the debate. From the Capitol to the statehouse, from the Courthouse lawn to the coffee shop, the debate goes on. It is a sign of a healthy democracy. It is a sign that nation that the principles for which our Founding Fathers were willing to risk their lives remain intact.
The Adam Forrests of the world differ from our enemies because they fight not in support of a particular political viewpoint. They have no stake in the outcome of the present conflict. Instead, they are the “Good men and women” of whom Edward Burke spoke. They make no personal judgments about the steps that must be taken to prevent the triumph of Evil--however we choose to define it. Without regard for personal safety or point of view, these young men and women put their lives on the line in defense of ideals—ideals such as the rule of law and the extension and preservation of fundamental freedoms for all mankind.
On this day when we ponder the true meaning of Patriotism, let us keep before us their example. Let us Remember that Democracy and Freedom are not the natural states of our existence, but that they are dearly bought and paid for. Let us remember that the price of Freedom is eternal vigilance, let us Remember that whatever course great nations may choose in the fight against fight Great Evil to do nothing is never an option.
posted by Scott Cooper | 5:00 PM
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