Linda's tribute to Dad on Veterans Day

32 years ago, our Dad, Phil Hammer, gave this address to students of Baldwin-Woodville High School  at 11:00 a.m.  on Nov. 11, 1982. Thought I would share it here...
64 years....64 years to people of your generation might well span a period back to the day your Grandfathers, or even your Great Grandfathers first celebrated Veteran's Day, then known as Armistice Day.
This date, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. marked the end of the first great World War in history and was for Americans thought to be the war to end all wars.
As history has unfolded, this phrase has been proven to be a failed hope in that our country has since been involved in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War.
The change to calling the day Veterans' Day was the result of our nation coming to the realization that we should use the day to honor veterans of the four wars we have had in this century.
First and foremost in our nation's observance of Veterans Day, 1982, is the dedication of the beautiful new Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. at this very hour.
Each time our country has gone to these wars, it has been to preserve for America, indeed for the world, the right to the blessings of freedom, human dignity, and peace that each time was threatened by totalitarian power.
While it is a certainty that no American wanted war, or especially to be personally involved, yet those who were called, did serve, many were disabled for life, and many died for what present and future generations of Americans and the world hold most precious---Peace and Freedom.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, now being dedicated, has inscribed in black granite the names of all who gave their lives in this most recent war. This will, for all time, bring to Americans a recall of the names of all war veterans written in their hearts – men and women who were their loved ones and friends – patriots – who gave their all for peace and freedom.
Represented among us here today, are veterans from each of the four wars, American Legion members from the posts at Woodville and Baldwin. Each of us share the positive and patriotic motives, as well as a common hatred of war.
Today we live in a time of fragile peace, and great threat of a Nuclear wipeout. Yet all people of the world express the hope and prayer and mutual striving to make the world one of enduring peace through strength and resolve.
Dr. Norman Vincent Peal has said “We Americans will be better for all of this” if we remind ourselves, not once, but again and again, that Freedom is not just a privilege, but it is a test, and those who fail the test will not be allowed to keep it.
And just today, Mrs. Coretta King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, said in a speech to a group of students – “Get involved in Politics! Prepare yourselves now for you are the ones who are being handed the torch to be responsible for this country’s freedom.”
We pray that the God of all power and love will help us to keep that peace and that freedom as we, year by year, honor those veterans who fought and died for it.
In closing, I would like to share with you, “The American’s Creed”
“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people;
Whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed;
A democracy in a republic; 
A sovereign Nation of many sovereign States;
A perfect union, one and inseparable;
Established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity;
For which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it;
To support its Constitution;
To obey its laws;
To respect its flag;
And to defend it against all enemies”.