November 12, 2018
Veterans Day speaker reminds Americans to stand united
SIKESTON — Attendees of Monday’s annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at the Sikeston Field House were reminded by the honored guest speaker that everyone has a role in the country standing united. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Carr delivered the keynote address during Monday’s program which honored Southeast Missouri military veterans...
SIKESTON — Attendees of Monday’s annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Sikeston Field House were reminded by the honored guest speaker that everyone has a role in the country standing united.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Carr delivered the keynote address during Monday’s program which honored Southeast Missouri military veterans.
“The evolution and changes of how we fight and win our nation’s wars today and deter adversaries is a testament to the tenacity, fortitude, creativity and dedication of our service members — and the pace of change isn’t slowing down,” Carr said.
Over the last 100 years since World War I ended, something else has changed: What “over there” means, Carr said. Prior to America’s entry into World War I, public opinion was divided: should the United States get involved or should it stay at home because the problem is “over there,” he said.
“However, once united, America mobilized, and the infusion of American forces and fighting strength led to the victory we are recognizing today,” Carr said.
A similar pattern emerges over U.S. history where, when faced with uncertainty and the position in the world challenged, adversaries actively work to keep the country divided and disinterested in the affairs “over there,” Carr said.
“But ‘over there’ isn’t so far away anymore,” Carr said. “Global communications and the internet make ‘over there’ right here.
He continued: “An enemy doesn’t need an army of soldiers or high-tech weapons to cause damage at home. They just need to go to the internet, post some messages, twist reality into anything that can fit their image and reach into the hearts and minds of our people to turn us against each other and our shared American values.”
Carr, who enlisted in the Air Force in 1990 as an aeromedical evacuation technician, noted he’s collectively spent almost a decade overseas across 32 countries. He received his commission as an officer training school distinguished graduate in 2000.
A graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor School, Army Command and General Staff College and Air Force Command and Control Warrior Advanced Course, Carr served as a senior air battle manager with over 3,000 flight hours including 617 combat and combat support hours on 10 aircraft models and flown combat missions in nine named major operations.
Throughout his career, Carr has served a variety of positions an Air Force Air Battle Manager. Among those positions include NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) instructor passive detection controller, USAF E-3B/C AWACS evaluator electronic combat officer, Group standardization and evaluation evaluator, Flight Commander, Deputy Chief of AWACS current operations, and led Operational Test and Evaluation of sixteen command and control programs for Air Combat Command including NORAD Air Defense Sectors, National Capitol Region Integrated Air Defense System, and Control and Reporting Centers.
Additionally, he’s served as an operational planner for U.S. Air Forces Central Command supporting current operations. Prior to his final assignment as a squadron Director of Operations, he served on The Joint Staff as Chief, Advanced Programs and Air and Cruise Missile Defense Branch, Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization, Directorate of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
“In my experience, Americans have much more in common than we have different,” Carr said. “America’s continued place in the world is a beacon of freedom, hope and opportunity is predicated on our continued survival of a nation. The formula for our national survival — or demise — was outlined 219 years ago when Patrick Henry said in his final public speech: ‘United we stand; divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.’”
Carr said Abraham Lincoln echoed this sentiment when he said 59 years later: “A house divided against it self cannot stand.”
A more recent example is Ronald Reagan’s speech on Veterans Day in 1985, Carr said.
“Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we’re little more than the crust of a continent,” Carr quoted Reagan.
Carr then addressed the Sikeston R-6 students in attendance.
“You have a part to play, and we’re all in this together,” Carr said.
Carr noted an overseas deployment he was serving years ago when he put up on his locker wall all of the cards and pictures he received from children he’d never met and didn’t know where they lived addressed to anyone American service member.
“Every time I’d step on the jet before I flew a combat mission, I’d see all those pictures and know that their well wishes and prayers gave me the strength and added purpose — and a reminder that the folks back home have my back as much as I have theirs,” he said.
Everyone has a role, he said.
“Whether it’s sending a letter or care package, supporting your local veterans’ organization or even raising your hand and serving, the challenge before you is turning ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ into positive action before, during and after conflict,” Carr said. “This is the weapon that our adversaries fear the most. And we owe it to generations before us that sacrificed all on our behalf.”
Also on Monday Carr took a moment to recognize veterans and their family members in attendance.
“May God bless the veterans and may God bless America,” he said.
Also participating in the service were Sikeston High School choir, band and orchestra along with members from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. The Rev. David Nash, pastor of the First Christian Church in Sikeston, offered the prayer of remembrance.
Members of Sikeston Department of Public Safety presented and posted the colors. The high school students played the National Anthem while the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the 2018 American Legion Cotton Carnival royalty, Brianna Gadberry, Leilani Smith and Lakyn Kaminsky.
Steve Taylor, chair of the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee which organizes the event, reminded those in attendance of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
“Veterans Day was first established on Nov. 11, 1919, as Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson to remember those who served in World War I,” Taylor said.
Taylor thanked the Sikeston American Legion Auxiliary for selling poppies prior to the start of Monday’s event.
“Money from poppy sales go to help the veterans in need. Why poppies? Poppies represent those who served in World War 1 — those who died and those who survived,” Taylor said.
He then recited the poem, “In Flanders Fields,” by Lt. Col. John McRae.
Fred Barnes with State Rep. Holly Rehder’s office presented Carr with a framed resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives.
Then the high school band, choir and orchestra played patriotic music.
Tom Austin with VFW Post 3174 reminded those in attendance of the service men and women who remain missing in Vietnam and have still not returned home to their families. The high school band played “Taps” as prisoners of war were remembered.
Following the service, the Auxiliary of the American Legion provided lunch at the the Post on South Kingshighway for veterans and their families.
Jim Walton, chaplain of the Sikeston American Legion Post 114, provided the welcome and introduced Carr during Monday’s ceremony.
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