Speech
Patriots Day Commemoration
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Helena
9/10/2004
Thank you for that introduction. I would first like to thank all of the individuals who organized this special event. I was here last year and I appreciate the invitation to be with all of you again this morning. It is so important that we come together as a community, as a state, and as a nation in this time of remembrance.
This year I have been to the funerals of four of our Montana soldiers killed in Iraq. These young men have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
I am going to read their names, and as I do, if you are so inclined, please say a silent prayer for them and their families:
Army Lieutenant Matthew Saltz from BigFork
Marine Corporal Dean Pratt from Stevensville
Marine Lance Corporal Kane Funke from Polson
Army Private 1st Class Owen Witt from Jordon
Let’s all keep these soldiers and their families in our thoughts and prayers.
As we have gathered here today, we do so as Montanans and Americans, to commemorate the terrible events that shocked our country three years ago, and to give thanks for our freedom that these four soldiers and over 900 others have died for.
We gather together as Montanans, and as Americans, to defend our democratic ideals and to speak openly of our freedom in this time of war.
We pray for our soldiers who have been called to duty in a faraway land to protect our freedoms at home and abroad, and we pray for their families.
New York City, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon may seem far away, but not that far, because we too felt the pain of those terrible acts of three years ago, right here in Montana. We now look at the world a lot differently.
Each time I take a trip on a commercial airplane I can’t help but think of 9-11, with all of the safety precautions that we must now follow. The terrorists took thousands of lives, and they caused massive destruction. But they also provoked responses I do not believe the terrorists ever expected.
They provoked a new pride in each of us in the form of: Strength, and Courage, Determination, Family and Resilience. We stand even prouder today, because we are Americans. We know that the passengers on Flight 93 displayed this courage; the passengers on the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center towers had this courage as well.
It has been written that, “September 11th did not alter the American character, it merely revealed it.” That statement couldn’t be more true.
The events of that day awakened a deeper sense of patriotism in all of us. As Americans, we have found a new resolve, a resolve to strengthen our communities and to see that something good comes from what we saw three years ago.
We look at each other and find Strength, not weakness….and Faith, not fear. We must now rekindle the Unity we all felt then, not division and divisiveness.
We continue to grieve for the lives lost and the loved ones they left behind. We honor their memory, and the memory of all who have died serving in the line of duty.
We pay tribute to each of you here today who sacrifices everyday in service to our communities, our state, and our country. Law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, members of the military…you are our unsung heroes. Every day, you quietly do the jobs you love, displaying a quiet heroism and bravery. We honor you and express our gratitude for all you do. You and your families are the true patriots, and for that we are grateful.
Today is about healing, and about hope. It must be the renewal of dedication to our state and nation, to our communities, and to our families and to each other.
As Montanans, we cherish the blessings that have been bestowed on us and our state – which is truly, God’s country – and we must work hard every day to strengthen the communities in which we live and work and play, to make them even better places for our children and their children to grow up.
By recognizing the importance of civic participation and contributing our talents to our communities, every Montanan can do his or her part to ensure that the freedoms we hold so dear will prevail…today, tomorrow and long into the future.
Let today be a call….a renewed call to service, and a call to recognize and pay tribute to those who defend our families, our homes, and our livelihoods right here in Montana and all across this great nation.
I call on each citizen of this great state to find ways to strengthen our communities through acts of service and caring. Every day, each in our own small way, every Montanan can do their part to ensure that the freedoms we cherish will prevail.
Finally, I want to say a few words about Montana’s recently retired National Guard Adjutant General Gene Prendergast, and his successor, General Randy Moseley. These are two fine gentlemen and two distinguished soldiers.
It was my honor to reappoint General Prendergast, when I became governor, and with his retirement, I had the honor appointing Randy Moseley to be Montana’s new Adjutant General.
I know both of these gentlemen well and want you all to know that Montana’s National Guard soldiers are the very best trained and prepared for duty because of these two fine soldiers. Let’s all give them a big round of applause.
We are all so very blessed in Montana. It’s events like this that make me so proud to be governor of this great state.
Thank you, and God bless.
# # #
