Transcription
Next up, representing the city of New Haven, leadership of New Haven is the police of Chief Chief of Police Carl Jacobson. Chief, good afternoon. On behalf of the mayor, I welcome you to New Haven. If you're from New Haven, welcome home. This is a beautiful day.
Um, and we're remembered. Oh, that might be your mayor. So, it calls me a lot. Um, I I speak at a lot of events, funeral events, and I don't really get nervous about it anymore. But today, I was extremely nervous cuz I think this is so important. I did not serve our country. Um, and that's probably one of the biggest things I regret in my life, but I have served our communities for 29 years as a police officer. Um, thank you.
And I was reflecting because two weeks ago we went to the police national memorial wall and we put 358 new names who died in the line of duty last year. But that pales in comparison to who we lose in our military and the cost it takes for us to be free and to be safe. So, I really put some thought into what I was going to say today. And I found a um a a saying from Matt Vess, who's a retired US Army veteran, and he's speaking to another veteran, and he says these words, and I thought it was appropriate.
And um our brotherhood is etched in stone. This unbeaten path we never we walk is never alone. And through the trails of terror, there is no obstacle we won't fear because we are unbroken. Unbroken. I would die for you. and you would give your life for me. The very sense of being free. Can we revisit the times of past as if I wish they would never fade and always last for no demon real or in mind could ever challenge the courage of brotherhood tested in time. So may we walk in the memories of those who forever hold the burden of our freedoms. And I promise to never let your memory die because I am free in it. and you are always with me and never forgotten.
I just think when we think about Memorial Day, we think about cookouts and time with our family, but it's really about the people we lost and have created this freedom that we have because of their loss. So, please enjoy the day, but please remember all the fallen military and veterans. Thank you. [Applause]