Take a few moments this Memorial Day to reflect on the sacrifice so many made to fulfill the American promise, the radical concept that “All men are created equal with liberty and justice for all.”

Until our forebears adopted the American Declaration of Independence, the world believed people were assigned their station in life by Divine Right. America rejected that stultifying proposition with the dynamic notion that “We the People” could govern ourselves under a self-established rule of law.

Of course, to state the proposition that all men are created equal was easier said than accomplished. Sadly, our Constitution rejected equality by institutionalizing chattel slavery.  Yet, the struggle for freedom and equality continued. In time, the struggle for freedom led to the Civil War with casualties greater than all our other wars combined. In response, survivors set aside a day to remember the heroic dead, which is now our Memorial Day.

On Memorial Day, as we honor our forebears’ sacrifice, we should also remember that the promise of America is still an unfulfilled, ongoing struggle. As we memorialize the dead, let’s also resolve to achieve America’s promise so those who sacrificed their all will not have died in vain. 

FLVCS remembers fondly one of the best FLVCS members ever, Harry Stimmel. Harry served in WWII as a combat medic fighting the Japanese in the jungles of New Guinea and in freezing cold during the Korean War. After his military service, Harry continued to work to bring about the Promise of America by striving to make our communities and country better. Harry was a stalwart FLVCS member and served on our board with an optimistic, forward looking attitude. Harry was always doing something special for fellow veteran like deliveries to patients at the VA hospital or helping out a veteran down on his luck. Harry we miss you.

                                                                                Harry Stimmel                                             

                                                                                    (1925-2014)

Article about Harry: A Veteran’s Grit, Echoed in his Service to Others, Sarasota Herald Tribune: September 2010:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20100920/a-veterans-grit-echoed-in-his-service-to-others