Abbruzzese Delivers Powerful Veterans Day Address at Harry Higgins Post 88 Ceremony
ASHLAND — Under crisp November skies, community members gathered Tuesday morning at the Harry Higgins Post 88 American Legion on Claremont Avenue, where Post Commander David Abbruzzese delivered a moving and deeply reflective address during the annual Veterans Day Memorial Service.
The ceremony began at 10:30 a.m., concluding in a solemn Honor Guard salute at 11 a.m., marking the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month — a tradition rooted in the armistice that ended World War I. Following the service, the Ladies Auxiliary provided a complimentary lunch for all in attendance.
Abbruzzese welcomed the community, including Mayor Matt Miller, distinguished guests, and especially local veterans whose service formed the centerpiece of the day’s reflection.
“Thank you for joining us today as we come together to recognize and honor the unwavering dedication and profound sacrifices of the brave men and women who have worn the uniform in service to our nation,” he began.
Abbruzzese opened his remarks by recounting the origins of Veterans Day, which began as Armistice Day after World War I. Though the Treaty of Versailles formally ended the war in June 1919, the fighting had ceased months earlier when the armistice took effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 — “the war to end all wars.”
He reminded the audience that President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaimed the first Armistice Day in 1919, a tradition later cemented into law in 1938. But the day evolved in 1954, when Congress replaced the word “Armistice” with “Veterans,” transforming November 11 into a holiday honoring American veterans of all eras.
The Post Commander spoke candidly about the burdens, challenges, and unique sacrifices borne by members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Our military veterans took on challenges that most people would avoid, faced dangers that many would run from, and shouldered burdens others might never understand,” he said.
He noted that military service leaves a permanent imprint on those who serve — shaping their character, resilience, and the deep bonds forged in uniform. He supported his message with powerful quotations reflecting the spirit of service:
2 Timothy 2:3: “Endure hardship as a good soldier.”
St. John 15:13: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
JM Storm: “And the truth is that all veterans pay with their lives. Some pay all at once, while others pay over a lifetime.”
George Orwell: “We sleep peaceably in our beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf.”
Abbruzzese reflected on the long lineage of American service members who defended freedom in every major conflict over the past century:
The Argonne Forest of World War I
The beaches of Normandy
Heartbreak Ridge in Korea
The jungles of Vietnam
The sands of Iraq
The mountains of Afghanistan
“Our service members have faced down tyranny, stood firm in the face of danger, and carried the weight of freedom on their shoulders,” he said. “We owe them more than gratitude — we owe them a promise: to never forget, to always honor, and to continue striving to be a nation worthy of their sacrifice.”
As he continued, Abbruzzese shared a more personal reflection on aging, purpose, and legacy.
“These are the questions that tend to surface with time — not out of regret, but out of a desire to live with purpose, and to make every day count,” he said.
He recalled a quote by President Ronald Reagan that struck him deeply:
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem.”
Abbruzzese extended that sentiment to all veterans.
“It speaks to anyone who has chosen to serve — to lead with integrity, to put others before themselves, and to give their best to something greater than personal gain.”
The commander emphasized that each veteran’s story forms a vital thread in America’s national fabric — one defined by courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to duty.
“Whether your time in uniform was during war or peace, your dedication played an essential role in upholding the freedoms and security we often overlook,” he said. “Your story is not just history; it’s a lasting example of the values that continue to shape the character of our country.”
He closed with a timeless reminder from Winston Churchill, encapsulating the heart of Veterans Day:
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
