With yellow ribbons abound, this town truly exemplifies the “support our troops” motto. The Red Sox say thank you by offering specially priced “standing room only” tickets and any troop can catch a free ride with the MBTA.
Veterans are treated equally as well. Whether we are studying for an academic degree or immediately entering the work force, your community and collegiate veteran support is unmatched. Financial Aid Departments at every one of Boston’s esteemed universities work hand in hand with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits are fully utilized. Additionally, to ensure veterans can afford your private institutions, many universities, including Harvard, participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program where they voluntarily reduce tuition costs for veterans.
This tradition of support and sacrifice rivals any city in the nation. Even today, whispers of the Continental Army are heard in Boston and the freedom trail reminds us all of our patriotic duty. Moreover, a significant portion of Massachusetts’ 263 Medal of Honor recipients hailed from within 50 miles of Boston.
Today, your proud tradition of selfless service is carried by the thousands of local heroes who enlist in the Armed Forces, and by the cadets (Academy and ROTC) who will lead our troops in tomorrow’s battles.
So, while we celebrate the efforts of past patriots on Independence day, , please take a moment to remember the thousands of present day patriots who serve this great nation around the world and reflect on how you will “support our troops” this year. Please know that your effort is humbly appreciated by us all. Thank you, Boston.
At Your Service,
Robert Wolfe
Robert is a former Major in the United States Air Force. He is currently a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a student at Harvard Business School.
The service and sacrifice was yours.
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p>The appreciation and thanks are ours.
Nice to see a Tea Party reference that actually has a relationship to reality.
Boston does a lot of things right.
but to whom. The corporate dweebs who reserve the right to frisk my wife after ten years of stellar service to the elderly and injured of this country. Stuff your holiday, it means nothing to this suburban born here american.
I am glad to say that while many of us oppose the war we have always supported the troops and that is an important lesson my generation learned from my fathers. That said the ‘Republic’ of Cambridge has had a few bumps along the way. From removing Boy Scout donation bins to troops from polling places because some far out lefties were offended, to having a bunch of lefties protest the Army when it came to celebrate its founding, our track record could be better. I appreciate that you see the silver lining and recognize that most people, even in Cambridge, proudly support the troops. My sisters close friend lost her son in a training accident on his way to Iraq and within months the city had put up a fitting memorial at the park outside the pool he frequented as a child, which was also subsequently renamed for him. I was also glad to see in the renovations to the War Memorial Athletic Complex a renewed commitment to truly making that place a memorial to our many war dead past and present. Many local businesses and churches also have ways you can donate various essential items to the troops. Hopefully we can all continue to do our part to remind everyone that the independence we celebrated this past July 4th came at a heavy price marked by the ultimate sacrifice of the blood of patriots: our sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, and neighbors.