¶

A SALUTE

TO THE

¶ GREATEST NATION ¶

IN THE WORLD

THE UNITED STATES

¶ OF AMERICA ¶

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

An

Inspirational and Motivational

Ceremony

To

Foster and Uphold

OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE

PRINCIPLES AND PATRIOTISM

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

_____________________________________________________

 

Petty Officer Jim Cava, United States Navy Retired

_____________________________________________________

    

 

                                                             (Sixty minutes)

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 FOREVER THANKFUL

My fellow Patriotic Americans

If one - if only one Honorable and Brave Patriotic American

Made-up of any one race, color and creed

Has served us!  Has saved us!  Has helped us!

Has supported us!  Has protected us!  Has suffered for us!  And has died for us!

To preserve our great Republic

To uphold the undeniable principles for which we stand

And to defend the unalienable rights to which all people are endowed by their Creator

Shouldn't we be forever thankful to Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American?

My fellow Patriotic Americans

Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

Our true American Patriots!  ¶  Our true American Heroes!

Made-up of all races, colors and creeds

Have served us!  Are serving us! 

Have saved us!  Are saving us!  Have helped us!  Are helping us! 

Have supported us!  Are supporting us!  Have protected us!  Are protecting us! 

Have suffered for us!  Are suffering for us!

Have sacrificed their lives, their loves and possessions for us! 

And are sacrificing their lives, their loves and possessions for us!

To preserve our great Republic

To uphold the undeniable principles for which we stand

And to defend the unalienable rights to which all people are endowed by their Creator

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THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

I pledge allegiance

To the Flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic

For which it stands
One nation under God
Indivisible

With liberty and justice for all

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That which is not loved - withers and dies!

Patriotism is love, support and defense of one's country.

American Patriotism is love for the Americans who founded our country

And the undeniable principles for which she stands:

¶ HONOR ¶

To Be Good

¶ LIBERTY ¶

To Be Free

¶ EQUALITY ¶

To Be One

¶ JUSTICE ¶

To Be Fair

¶ HUMANITY ¶

To Be Kind

American Patriotism is love for the Americans who uphold our principles

And love for the Americans who defend our country.

American Patriotism is loyal support for our very American principles.

And American Patriotism is defense of our country

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A principle is a fundamental truth

A guide for good behavior by which one directs one’s life.

Our American Principles and Values are one and the same.

Our American Principles show us the way:

To do - What is Right! 

To be - A Person of Good Character! 

And To be - All That We Can Be by Learning and Respecting!

It is of utmost importance to separate the Honorable Principles America stands-for

from the dishonorable and unprincipled behavior of some Americans.

For the Honorable Principles America stands-for have absolutely nothing to do

with the dishonorable and unprincipled behavior of some Americans.

Our American Principles and Honorable Americans are what make our country great.

Our American Principles and Honorable Americans are what American Patriotism is all about.

American Patriotism was the Honorable Spirit of our forefathers

Based upon an absolute moral belief in basic human rights

Upheld and defended with invincible determination

That forged a great nation, our nation.

It is that same spirit that remains the lifeblood of our country

And it comes from the heart and soul of a true American.

We hold these truths to be self-evident

That all people are created equal

That all people are made the same

With a Heart!  And a Soul!

With a Body!  And a Mind!

That no one is better than you are

That you are no better then someone else

That all people are endowed by their Creator

With certain unalienable, natural, rights

That among these natural rights are:

¶ LIFE ¶

The right for all people to Live

¶ LIBERTY ¶

The right for all people to be Free

¶ And the pursuit of HAPPINESS ¶

The right for all people to be Happy

With the Declaration of Independence

Our forefathers proclaimed to the whole world their faithful trust

In the God given fundamental rights of all people

And a new and free nation was born, our country:

The United States of America

The Constitution of our country

The basic instrument of our government

And the supreme law of our land

Founded upon the essential rights of all people

Is the embodiment of democratic principles

With the promise that those essential rights

Will be respected and protected.

To quote our Sixteenth President

This is what that great man said to us in his famous Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - November 19, 1863

“And that government

Of the people

By the people

For the people

Shall not perish from the earth.”

                                                                                                         ~  Abraham Lincoln, Sixteenth President (1861-1865)

Let's hear it for:

Our Sixteenth President - Abraham Lincoln

The United States is:

The land of the free and the home of the brave

And truly the greatest nation in the world.

♪ WE HONOR YOU AMERICA   

♪ THE YANKEE DOODLE BOY   

♪ YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG

♪ AMERICA

♪ THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

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American Patriotism is respect-for that which is Right:

Respect-for that which is: Correct!  Proper!  Decent!  Honest!  And True!

American Patriotism is respect-for:

Our Creator

Our country - The United States of America

And the symbol of her glory and all that she stands-for, our flag - The Star Spangled Banner

American Patriotism is respect-for:

Loving Parents

Let's hear it for:

Loving Parents
Devoted Principals and Teachers

Commendable Veterans

Dedicated Police Officers and Fire Fighters

Dependable First Aid and Ambulance Personnel

American Patriotism is respect-for:

The Mentally and Physically Challenged

    Let's hear it for:

The Mentally and Physically Challenged

There are all kinds of heroes in the world - not just military

Younger Americans and Senior Citizens

Honest workers and Selfless Volunteers

American Patriotism is respect-for:

Yourself by being - A Person of Good Character!

American Patriotism is realizing:

You are the highest of God's Creation!

“A-Number-One”

Made perfectly!

With a Heart!  And a Soul! 

With a Body!  And a Mind!

American Patriotism is realizing:

You possess the greatest treasure on earth

“The Gift-of-Life”

Born exquisitely!

With Virtue!  Intelligence!

And Potentiality! - Your very own Exceptional Power!

American Patriotism is realizing:

You are a Person! 

You are Somebody!  You are Special!

You are Important!  You are Great!  You are an American!

American Patriotism is believing: In your Country and Yourself!

Being-responsible-for: Your words and deeds!

Being-thankful-for: Who you are! 

And Taking-hold-of: Your power!

American Patriotism is Trying-your-best:

To do - What is Right!

To be - A Person of Good Character! 

To be - All That You Can Be by Learning and Respecting!

To see - Your American Dream come true!

And To feel - Pride in your Country and Yourself!

American Patriotism and values are one and the same.

American Patriotism is a moral code of conduct - an unmistakable way to build character.

American Patriotism in all actuality is a lifestyle of values - a good and worthwhile way of living.

American Patriotism breeds: Loyalty, Morality, Responsibility, Fellowship, Courage and Strength.

To quote our First President  

A great leader, soldier, statesman and father of our country

“Let us raise a standard

to which the wise and honest can repair;

the rest we leave in the hands of God.”

                                                                                                     ~  George Washington, First President (1789-1797)

Let's hear it for:

Our First President and the father of our country - George Washington

So be a patriot

Help renew patriotism and Increase Americanism as a Patriot

In you, in every one of you lie: America's future! ¶ America’s destiny!

♪ AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

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My fellow Patriotic Americans

We shall never, never, never forget

Our many Honorable and Brave Patriotic American men and women

Our true American Patriots!  ¶  Our true American Heroes!

Made-up of all races, colors and creeds

Who have given and who are giving unselfishly of themselves in service to our country!

To save us!

To help us!  To support us!  And To protect us!

To protect our basic rights and the basic rights of all people!

And To defend our country and the principles for which she stands!

To all who have bravely served and to all who are bravely serving our country with honor! 

We are eternally indebted to them and we shall forever hold their patriotism in esteem.

Would the Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans present who have served or who are serving:

In The Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States, please stand or raise your hand?

My fellow patriots as you I walk up to you, please state:

Your name - your rank and your branch and/or department of service as I do:

 Jim Cava, Petty Officer Third Class, United States Navy Retired

Standing before us are no ordinary Americans - They are special Americans.

They are special Americans:

Because they have bravely served (and are bravely serving) our country with honor!

They are special Americans:

Because they have given (and are giving) unselfishly of themselves in service to our country!

They are special Americans:

Because without Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans like them

Our great country would not exist!

My fellow Patriotic Americans

Let us show our respect

To our true American Patriots ¶ To our true American Heroes

With a big heartfelt round of applause.

My fellow Americans / My fellow Patriots / My fellow Veterans

We all thank you for your love, support and defense of our country:

The United States of America.

I would now ask all family members

Of Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

Who have served or who are serving our country

In the Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States

To please raise their hand in respectful representation

  And to share that wonderful proud information with all of us  

Would all  Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

Present here today, please stand or raise your hand and show your pride

After I sound-off your respective branch and/or department of service?

I would also ask all family members of Veterans and/or Public Safety Personnel

To please stand or raise your hand with pride after I sound-off a branch and/or department that you favor?

Let us now show our respect

To all our true American Patriots ¶ To all our true American Heroes

Not professional baseball players - football players - hockey players - tennis players

Basketball players - golfers - not boxers and wrestlers - not movie stars - not rock stars

But our true American Hero’s

Who have bravely served and who are bravely serving our country

In the Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States

With a big heartfelt round of applause after I name each branch and department.

Let's hear it for:

The United States Navy     ♪ Anchors Aweigh

The United States Marine Corps     ♪ The Marines Hymn

The United States Army     ♪ The Caissons Go Rolling Along

The United States Air Force    ♪ The U.S. Air Force

The United States Coast Guard    ♪ Semper Paratus

The United States Merchant Marines

The Army National Guard

The Air National Guard

The Police Department of The United States

The Fire Department of the United States

The First Aid and Ambulance Corps of The United States

To all the Americans who risk their lives everyday for our country

To all our allies across the world who have helped us in the cause of Freedom

And to all truehearted Americans

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Loyal and selfless

Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veteran answered the call-of-duty

And defended the unalienable rights to:

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

For the good people of South Vietnam

When Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans returned home

There was - No welcome home.

Undesirable - unpatriotic - unappreciative citizens

Dishonorably displayed their indifference

And with total disrespect

Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veteran was cursed-at and spit-upon…

Are there Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veterans present, please stand and remain standing?

(Are there family members of Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veterans present

Please stand in respectful representation?)

¶ HONORABLE AND BRAVE PATRIOTIC VIETNAM VETERAN ¶

Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veteran  

Your character is irreproachable and your valor uncommon

You are the quintessential Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine of Liberty and Justice

Let us show our respect to Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veteran  

Our true American Patriot ¶ Our true American Hero

With a big heartfelt round of applause

 Would all our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans who have served or who are serving:

Our  country in The Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States

Please stand or raise your hand in fellowship with Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veteran?

Would all the family members of Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

Who have served or who are serving:

Our country in The Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States

Please stand or raise your hand in respectful representation?

And would all truehearted Americans please stand?

The following song is dedicated to Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Vietnam Veteran

To all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans present

To all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans who have been respectfully represented by their loved ones'

To all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

Who have served and who are serving our great country

Especially our Brothers and Sisters in Iraq and Afghanistan

And to all truehearted Americans.

♪ GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

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And now a tribute:

To Our Honorable and Courageous Patriotic American Woman

She has served and continues to serve our country with steadfast devotion

Not only in the Armed Forces and Public Safety of the United States but also in civilian life.

Through her bounty of abiding strength and gentle courage

She has mothered and safeguarded:

HONOR ¶ LIBERTY

EQUALITY ¶ JUSTICE

And most assuredly HUMANITY

Are there Honorable and Courageous Patriotic Women present who have served or who are serving:

Our country in The Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States, please stand or raise your hand?

Let us show our respect

To our true American Patriots ¶ To our unsung American Heroines                         
With a big heartfelt round of applause

Are their Honorable Gold Star Mothers present, please stand or raise your hand?

There is no greater suffering - no greater loss, than for a mother to lose her child in service to our country.

Let us show our respect

To our sublime American Patriots with a big heartfelt round of applause

Are their Honorable Gold Star Wives present, please stand or raise your hand?

Such great suffering - such great loss, for a wife to lose her husband in service to our country.

Let us show our respect

To our superb American Patriots with a big heartfelt round of applause

Are there Honorable Women present who have worked or who are working:

In Our Public Education, In Our Public Service, In Our Ladies Auxiliary, In Our American Red Cross,

In Our USO, In Our Special Services, In Our Defense Department and/or In Our Defense Plants, please stand or raise your hand?

Let us show our respect

To our true American Patriots with a big heartfelt round of applause

Would all Our Honorable: Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Wives, Aunts, Nieces - Girlfriends

Of American Servicemen and/or Public Safety Personnel, please stand or raise your hand?

Let us show our respect

To our true American Patriots with a big heartfelt round of applause

To all Our Honorable and Courageous - Gracious and Incomparable Patriotic American Women

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank God for you!

We could not have made it without you.

And we will never ever make it without you.

I had the distinct privilege of singing the following song:

THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

For the Vietnam Woman's Memorial Dedication Ceremony

In Washington DC - Veterans Day 1993

Today I dedicate this special song

To all Our Honorable and Courageous - Gracious and Incomparable Patriotic American Women

Who have served or who are serving our country in The Armed Forces and/or the Public Safety of the United States

And to all truehearted American Women

Thank God for you.

♪ THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

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Thousands upon thousands:

Of Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War served our country with honor

Many have suffered, many are suffering

 And many have died mercilessly at the hands of the enemy

And many never came home, never came home - We are home. 

They shall never-be-forgotten.

Are there Honorable and Brave Patriotic Former American Prisoners-of-War present, please stand?

(Are there family members of Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War present

Please stand or raise your hand in respectful representation?)

The suffering our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War endured

In service to our country is beyond human comprehension.

They are truly extraordinary Americans.

Let us show our respect

To our extraordinary American Patriots ¶ To our extraordinary American Heroes

With a big heartfelt round of applause.

And let us now bow our heads in silent prayer

For all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War, living and dead

And in reverent and ever-faithful recognition

To all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action

Still unaccounted-for

 They shall never-be-forgotten.

The following song is dedicated to all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War

And in reverent and ever-faithful recognition

To all Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action

Still unaccounted-for

 They shall never-be-forgotten.

♪ AMERICAN PRISONER-OF-WAR

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The greatest treasure we possess is:

“The Gift of Life”

There is no greater love / There is no greater sacrifice

In the entire universe than for An Honorable and Brave Patriotic American

To lay down his or her precious life so that we could live:

“The Very Best Life Possible”

 

My fellow Patriotic Americans

At this time, United-As-One

Let us show our respect / Let us pay homage:

To our many Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans who sacrificed:

Their precious lives - their precious loves and possessions for our country, for us, in the line-of-duty

To save us

To help us - To support us - And To protect us

To protect our basic rights and the basic rights of all people

And To defend our country and the principles for which she stands

Let us pray:

Now and Forever, Amen

My fellow Americans

Please place your hands on your hearts for the singing of:

♪ TAPS

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We are One Family! 

We are a Good Family!  We are a Great Family! 

We are: “The American Family.”

United-As-One

Let us love, support and defend

Our Good Country and Our Good Brothers and Sisters

And let us always safeguard Our Children from that which is harmful and anti-American

As together we sing:

 

♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA

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My fellow Patriotic Americans

You are the highest of God's Creation

“A-Number-One”

Made perfectly!

With a Heart!  And a Soul!

With a Body!  And a Mind!

You possess the greatest treasure on earth

“The Gift-of-Life”

Born exquisitely!

With Virtue!  Intelligence!

And Potentiality! - Your very own Exceptional Power!

You are a Person!

You are Somebody!  You are Special!

You are Important!  You are Great!  You are an American!

Please do not forget that

 

And please do not forget this:

Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

Our true American Patriots!  ¶  Our true American Heroes!

Made-up of all races, colors and creeds

Have served us!  Are serving us! 

Have saved us!  Are saving us!  Have helped us!  Are helping us! 

Have supported us!  Are supporting us!  Have protected us!  Are protecting us! 

Have suffered for us!  Are suffering for us!

Have sacrificed their precious lives, their precious loves and possessions for us! 

And Are sacrificing their precious lives, their precious loves and possessions for us!

To preserve our great Republic

To uphold the undeniable principles for which we stand

And to defend the unalienable rights to which all people are endowed by their Creator

 

Let us always be thankful to Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans

And let us always try to live what Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Heroes

Have served for!  Have suffered for!  And have died for!

 

I will be praying for you - please pray for me 

This ends our Patriotic Ceremony

May God Bless You and May God Bless Our Country:

The United States of America, The Greatest Nation in the World

Until I see you again

I wish you Health - Happiness and Peace

GOD BLESS

 

 

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