Chelsea officials have long sought out U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton for the keynote speaker’s role at its Memorial Day Program.
Moulton has been an outstanding congressman for the Sixth District since 2015. He is also a war hero, having served four tours of duty in Iraq. As a young lieutenant in the United States Marines Corps, Moulton led a platoon that was among the first to enter Baghdad in 2003. For his leadership and bravery in combat, he was twice decorated for valor, receiving the Bronze Star and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, both with the “V” device.
The wait was well worth it for Chelsea residents in attendance at the ceremony as Moulton reflected on his first-hand experiences in a crucial leadership position during a time of combat.
“For those of us who have served, war is a profound series of contradictions,” said Moulton. “It is a place where death and life sit right next to each other in the exact same ditch. It is undeniable that the worst days of our lives happened overseas. But it is equally true that some of the best days happened there, too, because we were surrounded by some of the closest friends we will ever have in this life.”
Moulton, who holds a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from Harvard, also spoke about “the true meaning of patriotism” in an inspiring portion of his speech.
“Today, on Memorial Day, we are here for them, those who never made it back,” said Moulton. “We are here to remember the names, the faces, and the unfilled futures of the generations of Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others wouldn’t have to.”
“So the question for us today, the question for every American gathered in towns across the country is this: How do we properly honor a sacrifice of that magnitude?
“We do it by living out the true meaning of patriotism,” said Moulton. “True patriotism is not passive. It is not a performance. It is not merely hugging the flag or standing during the national anthem. It is the hard, daily work of making sure the flag actually stands for something.”
Concluding his remarks, Moulton said, “We are a nation built on the foundation of their sacrifice. May we live lives worthy of their gifts, and may we always remember that we are here for each other.”