Veterans Day message from the Bard
Henry V, Act 4 , Scene 3
King Henry has donned a hooded robe to disguise himself, and is walking among his troops, to hear their candid thoughts and fears.
Near the end of the Scene, Henry voices these words, which are so apropos to the camaraderie, danger, and heroism shared by all veterans, no matter what war, what era, what circumstance; a perfect salute to Veterans Day:
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
Please hold a moment of silence today, in honor of those who have served.