A beautiful dedication ceremony took place at the town marina on Sept. 10 for the Tribute to Freedom Monument created by the American Legion Post 48 in Guilford. Although the monument was installed in February, the ceremony was delayed to coincide with this year’s commemoration of the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. A brochure for the event stated that “The Freedom Monument pays tribute to the military, first responders, government employees, and ordinary citizens who on 9/11 and thereafter responded in the War on Terror to ensure the preservation of our freedoms.” After a vigorous fundraising campaign and a year-long effort, the American Legion’s plans came to fruition. Although sunny skies gave way to menacing grey clouds and occasional rumbles of thunder, the event went on as planned.

Themes of patriotism, service to our country, and the sacrifices of our fellow Americans who have given their lives in the defense of our freedom were the order of the day. An enormous American flag was hoisted from a Guilford Fire Department bucket truck and fluttered in the breeze. Speeches from distinguished veterans of the different military service branches, a touching personal reflection from a Gold Star Mother, and a National Guard honor guard rounded out the ceremony.

While patriotism since 9/11 has seemignly declined and many criticize America as being “systemically racist,” pride in our great country was on full display at this wonderful event. Whether flying in “the dawn’s early light” at Fort McHenry, atop Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima, attached to a steel girder amid the smoldering ruins of the World Trade Center, or a fire truck in Guilford, our American flag endures as a symbol of liberty and freedom and a reminder of those who have died to defend those principles.

Colleen Roberts

Guilford