Below is the text of today’s speech from former State Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos, delivered during a plaque dedication ceremony at Lowell Memorial Auditorium as part of Lowell’s Veterans Day ceremony:
This beautiful building was constructed by a grateful city a little over a hundred years ago. It was dedicated as a memorial to those from our city who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Lowell Sun editorial on September 21, 1922 would proclaim the following:
“It is fitting that the deeds of our patriotic dead should be properly remembered and there should be raised in their honor a memorial that will not only commemorate in a worthy manner their patriotism and valor, but that will also endure as a perpetual inspiration to the highest, purest and most heroic service in support of our constitution and our glorious freedom which it guarantees.”
Encircling the exterior façade of this building are the names of many famous battles and generals of note, and on each side of the main entrance is inscribed the warning; “LEST WE FORGET,” with the consequence being a corrosive ingratitude which can weaken our Freedom to the point of collapse, left silent, but inferred if we do forget.
But it is here, here in this Hall of Flags, where our city truly does not forget. It is here that we honor and remember what was given for us, for each of us, for our freedom, by each of them.
1,278 Lowellians have given their lives for our freedom. 646 during the Civil War and 32 in the Spanish American War. WWI would see 111 more give their lives and WWII 436. 31 more paid the ultimate sacrifice during Korea and 20 in Vietnam, one in the Persian Gulf War one during Iraqi Freedom.
The numbers are to quantify, but the names, the names that appear on these walls, are to personalize what they gave.
And no one captures that sacrifice any better than President Ronald Reagan, who once made this solemn observation when gazing upon the crosses and stars of David which symmetrically line the grass of the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, where he said:
“But most of them were boys when they died. They gave up two lives, the one that they were living and the one that they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands, and fathers, and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is to remember.”
And I would humbly add, for by remembering, we reveal our gratefulness. And by being grateful, we recognize the immeasurable value that their unmatchable sacrifice deserves.
Today, we gather as a community to add the one name that has been missing in this hall of honor, the name of Pvt. First Class John F. Landry Jr., the last Lowellian to give his life for our freedom and the freedom of others a half a world away.
John grew up in the Highlands with his parents, John and Pamela, and sister Brittney. He attended Lowell Catholic where he was a standout on the football and basketball teams. He had many friends, because as they tell me, he was the best friend that you could have.
Upon graduation with a cum laude distinction, his desire to serve his country led him to enlist in the Army. He would be stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas as a Private First Class, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
He was a rifleman and an expert marksman. His Battalion would be sent to Iraq as part of Iraqi Freedom.
On March 17, 2007, while on patrol, the vehicle that he was in was struck by a roadside bomb. John and other members of his team were killed. He was just 20 years old, with all the hopes and dreams of tomorrows that young men hold dear.
You know, I have heard Congressional Medal of Honor winners, Silver Star recipients and other military valor award winners say this, almost to a man and woman; that they aren’t the heroes. The men and women that didn’t make it back, those are the real heroes.
Today, we respectfully place the name of Lowell’s last hero, Private First Class John F. Landry Jr., in its rightful place of honor on these hallowed walls with the other 1,277 heroes of Lowell, fulfilling our responsibility as a city and community to remember, and completing this circle of honor.
Lest We Forget.
I know that the loss that John’s family and friends feel will never go away. But we as a grateful city hope that today’s remembrance will bring some solace to each of you to know that he will never be forgotten and his great, great sacrifice will always be revered.
May his memory be eternal.
