Decker Brown - guest speaker for 2024 Memorial Day services

Decker Brown, Lawrence-Nelson history teacher and basketball coach, was the guest speaker for the Memorial Day services held by the Nelson American Legion Post 187 on Monday.

The Nelson American Legion Post 187 held Memorial Day services at the Salem Lutheran Church cemetery, the Nora Cemetery, the Nelson cemetery and at the Veterans Plaza in downtown Nelson on Monday morning. The morning started out early for the Legion members and volunteers who placed the flags at the Nelson cemetery, the courthouse and the plaza. Some but not all who helped were Decker Brown, Koltton Menke, Cooper Heikkinen, Jace Hoelting, Jackson Williams, Caden Culbertson, Carson Vaughn, Aidan Zikmund, Clay Williams, Lance Williams, Stella Williams, Bill McCutchan, Joe McCutchan and Dennis Melvin. Post Comander Ryan Koehler regrets if any voluteers were left out, and expressed how much everyone was appreciated.

The service was followed by a free will donation lunch at the Legion and the taking down and folding of the flags by Legion members and volunteers.

The following is the speech given by Decker Brown

"I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom, I can see rays of ravishing light and glory, I can see that the end is worth more than the means." -John Adams, July 3rd, 1776. A basic understanding of Memorial Day does not resonate with most Americans. It has become a day of barbeques and beers. Stemming from a failing education system, corrupt government and cultural revolution, U.S. citizen's level of patriotism has sadly diminished. Those rays of ravishing light and glory spoken by our second president have faded, but fear not, as they can be rekindled. The people who have given their lives for this country are proof sacrifice is willing to be made to preserve this union. Today we honor those who paid the ultimate price in protection of the United States of America.

The right to freedom is not granted by the government or even our beloved Constitution, but from those who gave their lives in the outskirts of Lexington and New Orleans, and the banks of the Rio Grande. Those from the hills of Little Round Top and San Juan. Those in the below zero temperatures in Bastone and Seoul. To those in the muddy mouth of the Mekong Delta and the sandy deserts of Kuwait. Those from the doorways of Mosul and Fallujah. Those from the valley of Korengal and the airport gates of Kabul. And to everyone who has fallen in the name of this country. These are the people who grant us our freedom.

In the divisive times in which stand, doubt and disgust can cloud our duty to remember these people. Understandably so, as it has consumed me immensely since 2020. Regardless of party, how do you remain loyal to this beautiful flag when we are drenched in propaganda from the media and our leaders? In conversations with my mother, I voiced this anger and doubt many a times. But she reminded me what I remind you today. Remember what we were built on and those who gave their lives to protect it. The construction and protection of the Constitution, did, and will continue to depend on it. We are citizens of the greatest design God has ever granted man. We must protect it. We owe it to Washington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Henry, to carry their torch.

These are all words, they are not actions. In the era of social media, so much of what we are exposed to every day is baseless and unimportant. What are we doing to carry the torch? What are you doing to carry the torch? What am I doing to carry the torch? Constant scrolling, Netflix, TikTok, Xbox, Facebook. Are these things that matter? Our future is dependent on the now. The lives of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice must be honored. But to honor them requires us to promote our values, encourage each other to be informed, think critically and for yourself. Because without those things, we are sheep walking an endless, pointless path. Be different than the rest of society. Make the founders proud of the product they created and the fallen grateful for your efforts.

I shared a story with my 7th graders about something I witnessed, which at the time was horrifying and humorous all at once. But in the grand scheme of things was a great lesson. In visiting a friend's farm, I was told there was a flock of guineas who hung out on the roof of one of their barns. A particular morning I watched as one by one, these guineas followed each other off the roof only to impale themselves on the fence posts below. Some survived, some did not. But this mindless behavior continued for days until the flock was no more. So what use would this story have for my students? Don't be a guinea. Make and follow your own path.

The story of this man, which many of you know, epitomizes the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. After being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, Pat Tillman started the majority of games his rookie season even after being forced to switch from linebacker to free safety. After seeing success, he was offered a five year, nine million dollar contract. Tillman turned it down. He had just watched four American airlines change the world forever. Because of 9/11, Pat Tillman ended his career in the NFL to go serve his country. On Aprill 22, 2004, this 27 year football icon was killed in action, in an unfortunate friendly fire situation. Throughout the year, I often reflect on the sacrifice made by Pat Tillman. Pat would want us to carry the torch. Pat would want us to follow our own path. Pat would want us to not be guineas.

We are Americans. That label makes me proud. Don't tie yourself to a political party. Don't allow loyalty to a certain candidate, senator or president cloud your judgment. We are Americans. George Washington expressed his fear of the emergence of political parties during his farewell address. This was a man who could have served a third term. A man who could have killed his fellow country men who were angry about taxes. A man who could have replaced King George simply on American soil. But he did not. He feared political parties because his allegiance remained with America, and nothing else.

On this day when we honor those who have fallen to preserve the blueprint for the greatest nation to ever exist, take some time to reflect. But also take some time to plan. What are you going to do to help make this community a better place? How are you going to make the flag raisers on Mount Suribochi proud? We owe it to these people. Don't be a guinea, make and follow your own path, and be a, proud, American.

I leave you with one last John Adams quote. "Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I am with my country from this day on. You may depend on it." Thank you