Veterans Day Observance

Wayland’s Public Ceremonies Committee holds a Veterans Day Observance at the Town Building annually. Wayland’s history of residents responding to the call to serve goes back centuries. This year’s ceremony recognized 2021 Wayland High School graduate, Jason Haims, who has entered ROTC training as a college freshman. His parents proudly stood in for him to read his letter of thanks for the Freedom Prize scholarship which the local chapter of American Legion Post 133 awarded him. Another Wayland High School graduate, Victoria Gitten, Class of 2015, now a graduate student in Theater Studies at Emerson, participated in the ceremony with her stunning renditions of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful.

The keynote speaker at the event, Town resident Paul Rufo entered military service in 1975, and offered a  riveting account of those who serve and their commitment to our country. It is a privilege to share his remarks with Wayland Historical Society members and friends as a reminder to cherish our freedom and to thank those who give of themselves to keep us free. Thank you, Paul Rufo.

Paul Rufo’s Address Veterans Day 2021

I once read that military service by its nature is temporary. The legacy of that service, however, can benefit generations for centuries. Having said that, I stand before you today after 40 years of military service in the U.S. Navy (active & reserve). Since I am retired, I guess the temporary still holds true. I enlisted In the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Program in March of 1975 and rose to the rank of Senior Chief by 1989. During this time, I served aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. Including two deployments. The last one was what turned out to be an eight-month deployment to the Indian Ocean during the hostage crisis/rescue attempt in Iran. The Navy, like most military branches, trains its own. So, after my sea tour I transferred to the Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Command as an instructor. After my tour there I transferred to the Navy Reserves so I could pursue a degree in Engineering and continue serving my country. After earning my degree, I applied for and received a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve. I was honored to receive my commission on board the deck of the USS Constitution.

During my time as an officer, I held many jobs in widely diverse areas of operation from a Surface Repair Officer assigned to General Dynamics in Connecticut to a ship Liaison Officer developing and coordinating logistics and replenishment plans using civilian ships during a time of war. I also served as the Commanding Officer of two separate Military Police units, my first at Pearl Harbor HI followed by a tour at Groton CT. From there I transferred to what became Naval Expeditionary Combat Command which provides Anti-Terrorism Force Protection for both seaward & landward assets and is the Navy’s primary resource for civil support to civilian disasters when requested by the Northern Commander. The command comprised Port Security forces for both seaward & landward areas, Navy Explosive Ordnance Detection, CBs, Riverine operations, (originally established during the Vietnam War) Combat Camera, and Naval Liaison Group. During this time, I was called up on three separate occasions to deploy for support after the 9/11 attacks. My last recall to active duty was as the Executive Officer for the Expeditionary Training Command responsible for certifying commands for deployment to Afghanistan or wherever they where needed. I finished my military career with a tour on the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Operations Department.

I share all this information to let you know what I have learned and witnessed during my career. Since the end of the Vietnam War when I entered, the U.S military has been ALL volunteer and no matter where they came from, rich or poor, high school graduate or higher education or just a GED, Big city or rural America, one thing held true. Through all the years, everyone I served with genuinely believed in what America was founded on and stood for, and if called upon was willing to make the sacrifice to protect that freedom. It is the legacy of those who have worn the uniform of the United States. A legacy of freedom.

There is no CEO or cultural icon that can truly claim to have greater responsibility than a platoon commander leading a team in combat. For these young people, a bad day at work does not mean a blown account or lost business. It can mean watching a best friend die, losing a limb, or being immersed in the collateral suffering that is synonymous with war. Even veterans who have not experienced combat share a bond with those who have. They have all expressed a willingness to die for their country when called upon. They have all subjected themselves to a military justice system which requires strict obedience and professionalism. And they have all pledged loyalty to the U.S. Constitution.

In the book Walk in My Combat Boots by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann, the authors interviewed veterans of various eras and published their accounts. Navy Reservist Ryan Leahy spoke of the rivalry as well as the bond. While on active duty, he felt a sense of dread in 2007 when he was approached by a Marine Vietnam War veteran in a bar. He is going to give me crap about being a Navy guy, Leahy recalled in the book. Leahy, who had not seen combat, was surprised when the Vietnam vet instead thanked him.When he asked why, the Vietnam vet said. “You guys saved my life more times than I can count. I can’t tell you the amount of times we would have been dead, but we were able to pick up the phone and you guys came in and got everyone out.”

For many veterans, our nation was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, bake in wild jungles, lose limbs, and, far too often, lose their lives. Military spouses have had to endure career interruptions, frequent changes of address, and a disproportionate share of parental responsibilities. It is not just the veteran that is serving his or her country. It is the entire family.  Fewer than 10 percent of Americans can claim the title veteran. Less than 1% of our population currently serves. Veterans have given us freedom, security, and the greatest nation on earth. It is impossible to put a price on that.

We must remember them. We must appreciate them.

I will end with a quote from President Ronald Reagan that I find just as appropriate today as when it was said if not more so.

Freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was like in the United States where men were free.

Before I go, I would be remiss if I did not let the veterans in the audience or family members of veterans in town that could not make the ceremony know your local chapter of the American Legion Post 133 which consists of veterans from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force that have served our country as far back as WWII. We are veterans here to support other veterans no matter their age, branch of service or time served. Please feel free to reach out. You can identify some of our members that are here today by the uniform I am wearing.

God bless you and thank you all for being here, God bless our veterans and God bless America.

Wayland resident, Commander Paul Rufo, USN RET. offers the keynote address at the Wayland Veterans Day Ceremony – November 11, 2021.

Jason Haims, now a first year ROTC midshipman at Cornell University, who won Wayland’s Freedom Prize awarded to him as a senior at Wayland High School.