Fred Diehl, Osceola's Mayor in 2006
shared these words with the audience
at the Memorial Day Service on May 29, 2006

They were penned by U.S. Army veteran, Founder and President of the George
S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society:

It is the Soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us Freedom of the Press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us Freedom of Speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial;
And it is the Soldier — - who salutes the flag,
Who serves the flag, and
Whose coffin is draped by the flag - -
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Return to main page for Veterans from Hopeville and Murray by Fern Underwood

Last Revised April 4, 2015