Over Memorial Day weekend, our community joined together at numerous events to remember those who gave their life in service to our nation. These moving events showed how united our residents are in their appreciation of those who have served in our military. From Huntington to Smithtown to St. James to Ronkonkoma, families showed our veterans that their service and the sacrifice of their fellow service members is appreciated.
Unfortunately, this pride in our nation is at times lacking in our everyday lives and that is troubling. Recently, my office was contacted by a resident who had visited a local post office to buy some stamps and was asked if he would be offended by stamps with the image of the United States flag.
The constituent was astounded and moved to a second post office location only to get the same question. This is a person who has repeatedly displayed his respect for our military men and women and who is proud to be an American. To ask him if he would be offended by the most cherished symbol of our nation is simply disrespectful.
While we all understand that our nation has had flaws in the past and some that persist to this day, it is the fact that we are able to evolve by working together that should give us all pride to live in this nation.
The terrorist acts on our nation and our state on September 11, 2001, showed us clearly that we are strongest when we stand united. In the days and months following those attacks, it was obvious that what binds us as Americans is stronger than anything that divides us.
There is simply no greater example of that ability to join together to overcome differences than our veterans. In times of strife and times of peace, these brave men and women have always stood together regardless of their differences.
At the Smithtown Memorial Day ceremony, Tom Mooney, who is the Service Officer for the American Legion James Ely Miller Post 833, shared a tribute to a fallen comrade. His emotion was palpable and his passion unmistakable as he remembered his friend who had given his life in service to our nation.
These men stood together to provide us the ability to build a better nation and we must never insult their sacrifice by forgetting what it means to be an American.
These are lessons we must instill in our youngest residents. They must know that men and women from all walks of life stood up so that we are all free to create the fairest nation possible. They must understand that they have the right to complain openly about their country to create a better nation for all. And they must know that this is a right not afforded to every person in the world.
America is the strongest nation not due to strength or standing but due to our collective ability to change. Mr. Mooney, his friend and all of the fellow veterans endeavored to protect that ability and to show any disrespect to their service must be dismissed. It was their duty to ensure that we are able to be the nation we want and it is our duty to honor the memory of all who gave their lives for our future by remembering how lucky we are to live in this nation.
God bless the United States of America and all who have served to protect her.
Sincerely,
Senator Mario R. Mattera
