Lt. Col. Sean O’Day, U.S. Army, Ret., praised the nation’s
veterans Monday during his speech at the Smethport Memorial Day
service, especially commending those who have served voluntarily
in the armed forces since the American Revolution.
Noting that the United States has waged the War on Terror for
nine years, O’Day said, “During this period, and the fact that
there is a high probability of being deployed to a combat
environment, has not deterred our young men and women from
volunteering to serve and defend our country in the military.”
One thing that makes our nation’s history so special and unique
is that most men and women who have joined the armed forces have
joined as volunteers — not as draftees, he added.
“During the Revolutionary War, the states had sometimes drafted
men for military duty or to fill state Continental Army units, but
the central government did not have the authority to conscript,”
O’Day explained.
It was not until the Civil War that the federal government first
used national conscription, according to O’Day.
“Of the more than two million Union soldiers, only two percent
were draftees, and another six percent were paid substitutes,” he
said.
He said that the draft was invoked for World War I following the
passage of the Conscription Act of 1917, but only lasted until the
war ended one year later.
In 1940, the nation’s first peacetime draft was put into effect
in preparation for the war that was on the horizon; and
approximately 66 percent of the World War II service personnel were
drafted, O’Day said.
Between 1948 and 1973 — in peacetime and periods of conflict —
men were drafted to fill vacancies in the armed forces that could
not be filled through voluntary efforts, according to O’Day.
“During the Vietnam War, less than one-third of the military
members who served were drafted,” he said.
“If you add up all the years our country has had a draft, it
totals 35 out of 223 years since our Constitution was approved.
That means the great majority of men and women who have served our
country faithfully and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, have
done so voluntarily,” O’Day said. “They understood that their
service was critical to support the freedoms provided by our
Constitution.”
O’Day called today’s military personnel “the best our country
has to offer.”
“I can attest to this fact, having served in Iraq in 2004 with
our young soldeirs, sailors, airmen and Marines. They are smart,
dedicated risk-takers who understand that freedom was and never is
free,” he continued. “When they return home, in my opinion, they
are often the best candidates for industry and their local
communities due to their demonstrarted ethics, morals and loyalty
to their service and country.”
Since the United States has more freedoms than any country in
the world, it will be forced to defend against those who seek to
assert control over American citizens by subverting, twisting or
even eliminating our Constitution, O’Day professed.
“Only because of our dedicated military and the sacrifices they
have made over the years do we enjoy the best quality of life and
freedoms in the world,” he said. “To lose these freedoms due to
apathy, our neglect of taking care of the country or to get
involved, will discredit all who have died to retain those
Constitutional freedoms.”
The Rev. Thomas Beam of Smethport offered the invocation and
benediction.
Lenny Anderson, commander of McKean County Post #2497, Veterans
of Foreign Wars, and C. Russerll Johnson, an Army veteran, each
made brief remarks.
George Tufts, Smethport American Legion commander, recognized
the Cub Scouts of Smethport Pack 501 for marching in the parade and
distributing flags.
Tufts also read the poem “In Flanders Fields.”
Following the memorial salute by the firing squad commanded by
Bob Funk, Natalya Nannen of the Smethport Area High School band
played “Taps” and Jackie Raymond played the echo.
