WWII Veteran Nick Morana (US Army 1944 – 80) gave the keynote speech at the Veterans Celebration in Brooksville on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Beginning with a lighthearted acknowledgement of his family members in attendance, Morana gave the following short, but eloquent speech of gratitude to his fellow veterans:
“I want to start off with the definition of a ‘Veteran’ … A Veteran wrote a check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his or her life. Now that’s a commitment. And so today we honor every man and woman who’s ever worn the military uniform of our nation, we keep in mind those who died in defense of our nation.
We keep in mind the missing, and those now serving in harm’s way. Let this Veterans’ day strengthen our resolve to always walk the extra mile for peace. But always walk it strong and unafraid for without a mighty America, no peace can long survive.
To our Veterans here today; Whether you serve here at home or overseas, in wartime or peacetime, whether you serve proudly in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. You are part of an unbreakable chain of patriots who served this country with honor. God bless you. God bless America, and thank you very much.”