Colonel Jackie Kaina and President Brad Hoch

 

Colonel Jackie Kaina, a student at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, spoke to the club.  Colonel Kaina completed 4 combat tours in Iraq and holds many medals for valorous service.

 

In his remarks Colonel Kaina recognized all veterans, current service men and women and the families and friends who support US military men and women.  He also recognized and thanked his own family, particularly his father and grandfather who both served in the US military and his wife and mother.

 

Colonel Kaina reminded us that President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, with these words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” 

 

In reflecting on the bravery, sacrifice and commitment of veterans and active duty military, Colonel Kaina reflected on G.K. Chesterson’s words, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him” and Elmer Davis who said “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

 

To illustrate this bravery, Colonel Kaina shared the story of Travis William Atkins, a soldier in the United States Army who sacrificed his own life to shield three fellow soldiers from an insurgent who was wearing and activated an explosive vest.  Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on March 27, 2019.  His son, who was 11 at the time, accepted the award on behalf of his father.  This is the reality of military service - we are able to be here in large thanks to those who are not here.

 

Despite this reality, America still asks for those to continue to serve and if necessary to sacrifice.  There are many challenges in today’s environment.  Colonel Kaina highlighted the valor of the American Armed Forces and expressed his confidence that the spirit of the American military is as strong today as it was in World War 1.

 

Colonel Kaina read a poem entitled The Stranger.  The poem was written by Firth High School Class of 2004 student Callie Crofts. 
 

The Stranger

One lovely summer day
As I was walking through the grass
Reflecting on the very fondest
Memories of my past

I past an unfamiliar place
And stopped a while to see
Completely unsuspecting
Of the change this place would bring

I stood before a wall of names
Two hundred and fifty-one
Engraved upon a monument
That pierced the shining sun

And though, to all these names
I was a stranger passing by
I looked upon these names
And there was one that caught my eye

It may have been a moment
Or an hour, or a year
I walked up to the name
And leaned in close so I could hear

I closed my eyes and listened
To the pure and priceless truth
And came to understand the love
Of which, this wall is proof

It’s said that he who bears
The very greatest love of all
Will sacrifice his life
Before He’ll see a dear friend fall

Though people often wonder
Whether such a man is real
I see him now
Through these engraved letters that I feel

He’s sitting with his brother
telling stories as they laugh
Of the greatest games he’ll ever pitch
Of the biggest fish he’ll catch

He’s standing by his colors
On a hillside far away
He’s diving through the amber fire
While others run away

I search through all my memories
Of the noble and the grand
The courage and the truth
That I’ve been taught to understand

Of all the stories that are told
This shall be told of you
Dear Soldier, How you gave your life
For those you never knew.

Colonel Kaina ended by reminding us that service never ends – veteran service has no expiration date.  We must always be grateful to our veterans and what they give to our communities. 

 

President Hoch thanked Colonel Kaina and on behalf of the Gettysburg Rotary Club presented him with a book by former Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College Gabor Borrit.