Gunnar Eklund is a senior at Staples High School. He is president of the debate team. He is also an executive board member of BridgeBuilders, helping organize discussions with the Y’s Men of Westport that foster civic dialogue. Last year he was on the school’s “We the People” team, which placed 8th in the nation.
Recently, Gunnar worked on Addison Moore’s successful campaign for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). He has spent his summers as a Camp Mahackeno counselor, and a legal intern. Passionate about public service, he plans to study political science in college, focusing on medical ethics.
This morning, Gunnar represented Westport’s youth at the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony in Town Hall. In a powerful, insightful speech, Gunnar said:
Thank you for being here today as we come together to honor the veterans of our community. We are here to commemorate the men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, our country with courage, sacrifice, and heart.
My name is Gunnar Eklund, and I’m a 12th grade student at Staples High School. Today I’m honored to share my perspective, speaking on behalf of my generation as we celebrate the veterans among us.
Gunnar Eklund delivers today’s Veterans Day address.
As students, we grow up learning about wars and battles. In social studies classes we typically discuss dates, history and outcomes: which nation won, which country lost, and what changed.
The common trend is a focus on the military at the macro level. But Veterans Day asks us to look closer, beyond the maps, timelines and textbooks, in order to recognize the individuals who lived those events.
Every single veteran has a story alongside their service. Before we dive into those stories, however, it’s important to pause and think about what service truly means. For my generation, one that has grown up without the draft, service is something we’re still learning to understand.
Gunnar Eklund (center), with veterans and participants in today’s ceremony. The Westport Community band played the national anthem and “Taps”; 1st selectwoman Jen Tooker spoke, and a memorial wreath was laid by VFW and American Legion auxiliaries.
Service, at its core, is about commitment and honor. When a person joins the military they take an oath. They commit to live and act beyond themselves for the common good of their country, their community, and their family.
The oath is far more than codified words. It’s a promise to uphold values like honor, integrity and duty, even in the face of danger or death.
Service is also a mindset. It’s the willingness to act for something larger than your own comfort. And while many of us may never wear a uniform, the virtue behind the commitment, and mindset of service is something we can all aspire to in our own lives.
To understand what service truly looks like, it helps to hear the stories of those who have lived it. In my family and community, there exist remarkable examples of courage and sacrifice that help bring the idea of service to life.
In my own family, my great0grandfather served under General Patton’s army, which went into France and Belgium, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.
Years later my grandfather, Edward Slavin, joined the military during Vietnam, becoming at one point the youngest American drill sergeant, at age 17.
His leadership and dedication left a lasting mark. Over the years he received letters of gratitude from those he had helped, with people writing to tell him that his guidance and courage had saved their lives.
Howard Munce — a World War II Marine platoon sergeant at Guadalcanal, and noted Westport artist — painted this. David Meth has a signed original.
Of the anecdotes my family has shared with me, my favorite remains the story of Perry Watson, a friend of my great-grandfather.
In World War II he was a part of the flash-and-sound unit, locating enemy artillery by performing advanced calculations with sound and light. On one mission, his commander asked him to swim across a river while carrying wires in his mouth to complete a critical measurement.
It was the middle of winter, and the area was under enemy fire. Watson, an honorable man, volunteered for and accomplished the task. But the sounds of bombs detonating above him deafened him for life.
This magazine cover by Westport artist Stevan Dohanos honors residents serving in World War II. It stood at our original Town Hall (now Massi Co). Those servicemembers are now memorialized on a plaque in Veterans Green, across from the current Town Hall.
Stories like these remind us of the incredible cost of service. Behind every medal and every uniform, there are human lives marked by sacrifice and loss. Millions of men and women have given their lives in defense of this country. Their sacrifices are staggering, but rarely do we pause to appreciate them.
In a time as divisive as today, fewer people seem proud to be American.
Patriotism can feel complicated, even controversial. Veterans Day reminds us that pride in this country does not mean agreement with every policy. It’s about honoring the values, liberty and sacrifices that make this nation possible in the first place.
The generations that came before us, including the so-called Greatest Generation, did not serve for applause or personal gain. They served because it was the right thing to do. They understood that safety is not guaranteed. And above all, they honorably faced unimaginable pain and sacrifice without any expectations of reward.
Veterans at last year’s ceremony. (Photo copyright Ted Horowitz)
Today, as we honor our veterans, let us remember that their courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment reminds us of what it means to live beyond ourselves.
If we can carry even a fraction of that dedication in our daily lives, then their legacy lives on.
We must not forget these individuals, and we should all work to preserve their stories. Let us stand with gratitude and resolve as we honor the humanity behind every uniform.
Thank you.
