Memorial Day Speech by John Maddox honoring Richard Hulse
who gave his life for our freedom.
May 26, 2018
I have been asked to give a Memorial Day Ceremony
presentation (McGuireville, AZ). Here is
my speech:
Memorial Day Ceremony
26 May 2018
McGuireville, AZ
Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who died, in
the service of their country. Unlike Veterans Day, which is a day set aside to
salute all Veterans, past and present, who have served their country with
distinction.
Throughout the history of this our country, there have been
tens of thousands Killed in Action during hostilities. The war of 1812, the two
World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the many other conflicts and hostilities around
the world. The majority of those who died on the battlefield have been
enshrined on memorials across our lands, in Veterans parks in cities and towns,
cemeteries and even documented in church records. Some names of those killed have
been lost to history, when their remains were never recovered, or when killed
on foreign soil and not identified--forgotten by most--but always remembered by
a few.
Who are these brave warriors, called to duty by their
country, taking an oath to “Protect and Defend” you and I, from ALL enemies,
foreign or domestic? They were once simply civilians, “Civilians," those
who go about their daily lives, oblivious to the high stakes “game” of War,
REAL WAR, a war where you can’t “recharge” your guy and then just continue on,
in battles fought with joysticks and keyboards. Because WAR is REAL, and in
Real War, people die.
Who are these people who gave their all? Where did they grow
up, did they have any brothers or sisters; who were their friends, their high school
sweethearts. What was their favorite color, their favorite food, their favorite
games? These are questions that can only be answered IF we remember that there
is a Name that goes with each and every individual who paid the ultimate
sacrifice, for each and every one of us.
Now, if you believe in the Bible, or even if you don’t,
there is a statement that epitomizes this type of sacrifice that says: “Greater
Love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Today, we want to share with you one such friend, a “Local
Boy” of sorts, who answered the call and paid the price. A young man who lived
among us and had he not given the ultimate sacrifice, might have become the
local store owner, your county supervisor, or maybe the guy who simply helped
you out at the gas station.
Today, in addition to remembering ALL who died in service to
their country, we want to recognize and pay a special tribute to Captain
Richard Hulse, United States Army, who was shot down and killed in Vietnam on
March 23rd, 1970, just shy of turning 25 years old. Today, we are joined by
Richard’s brother Doug Hulse, a 20-year resident of Cottonwood, who I had the
privilege to meet and talk with, about who Richard was and I want to thank him
for allowing us this opportunity to honor his brother and the information I was
able to gather.
Richard was born on May 5th, 1945 in Phoenix to Richard and
Betty Hulse. In 1953 the Hulse family moved from Phoenix to San Manuel, located
in Southeastern Arizona where they hold the distinction of being the FIRST
residences of this newfound community, when Magna Copper Company built the Town
of San Manuel, to provide a smelter for their mining operations. In 1957 the
Hulse family moved to Flagstaff, where Richard would finish out high school
with the Class of 1963, as the Salutatorian.
While in high school, Richard was very active as a member of
the school band, the marching band, jazz band and dancing band, playing the
trombone. He was in choir, the Glee Club, the National Honor Society, Key Club
and had attended Boys State (which by the way, is proudly sponsored by the
American Legion, to this day). Finally, Richard enjoyed skiing, fishing and
hunting. It was during this time that Richard’s dad, an avid golfer, would come
to Lake Montezuma to play golf at every opportunity and on many occasions,
Richard would join him, where he loved playing in the community and as I
understand it, also played a round or two of golf himself. (I was recently told
that Richard's dad is the Only person to have hit a Hole in One at the Lake
Montezuma Golf Course), somebody will need to check up on that piece of trivia.
Upon graduating high school, Richard received appointments
to West Point, the Merchant Marine Academy and the US Air Force Academy Prep
School. What all this tells me folks, is Richard, even as a young teenager, had
his act together. Richard’s lifelong dream had always been to go to West Point
and, he hoped to someday, become a helicopter pilot, but not in just any
helicopter, an AH-1 Cobra, the baddest of the bad attack helicopters in the US
Inventory. Richard chose and completed 4 years at West Point, went on to
Officers Candidate School and finally Flight School, where he began to train
and fly in, yes you guessed it, the Cobra.
Richard's short time on earth shows us an exceptional
individual, who pursued and realized his dreams, through hard work and perseverance.
He was a young man, like any of us here, who gave of himself to keep us free
and it’s through his untimely death we realize and therefore, must never
forget, that Freedom, Isn’t Free.
During Richard’s military career, he received the Distinguished
Flying Cross with Oak Leaf, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal and
the Purple Heart.
In addition, Captain Hulse received the Air Medal with “V”,
the National Defense Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam
Armed Forces Honor Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
I say all of this to you today, to hopefully drive home the
fact, that those who fight and die for your freedoms, are brothers, sisters,
neighbors and friends, so you might remember, that while Memorial Day can be a day
to enjoy family and friends, it is more importantly recognized as a reminder
that our Freedom has been paid for, with Real Blood, so that you can enjoy all
you have, living in a Free Society. And So, while I invite you to enjoy today’s
festivities, please, as you do, remember the sacrifices, remember the brother,
the sister, the school mate or best friend, who is with us no more.
Pass along the legacies, the stories, the history, for
generations to come – Teach Them.
Let Us Never Forget
(Used with permission from John Maddox.)
