Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith
Patriot Plaza Dedication

May 22, 2009

It is a privilege to welcome our veterans, service men and women, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens to the dedication of Baltimore County’s Patriot Plaza.

Founding a Nation

In the summer of 1776, a group of men in Philadelphia did something that had never before been attempted in human history. They founded a nation based, not on borders or shared ancestry, but on an idea. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to defend a deceptively simple notion:  that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

It was a controversial idea that launched a revolution, and though these men would be the first Americans to pledge their lives in its defense, they would not be the last. In the two hundred and thirty three years since, millions of Americans have fought to preserve those ideals. We know those men and women by many names - soldier, veteran, hero, friend, neighbor, parent, child, but above all patriot. They represent different races, religions, and backgrounds, but they are united by a common devotion to the ideals of freedom that are the foundation of this great country. They are united by patriotism.

George William Curtis, an American author, once wrote “Country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” The loyalty of generations of men and women in uniform to this principle has made it possible for this nation to grow, to prosper, and to more fully realize the dream of our founding fathers.

Patriotism in Uniform

The 5th Maryland Regiment proved their loyalty to the American dream on the fields of North Point in 1814, when they halted a British invasion and preserved the independence of our fledgling nation. And 130 years later, the 29th Infantry Division defended that dream again when they stormed the beaches of Normandy and helped bring freedom to a Europe struggling to survive under the yoke of Nazi tyranny. And at this very moment, in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, many of Baltimore County’s sons and daughters are continuing to defend the ideas that define America.

Their sacrifice reminds us that there is no higher calling than service in our armed forces. The commitment of those who answer that call and the sacrifices that they make on our behalf have not just protected our shores, but have strengthened our beliefs and enriched our world. These brave men and women serve as constant examples to all Americans of who we can be and what we must become.

I paraphrase President John F. Kennedy when I say, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men [and women] it produces but also by the men [and women] it honors, the men [and women] it remembers.” That is why Baltimore County is dedicating this courtyard as Patriot Plaza. For years, memorials along either side of this plaza have honored the memory of those firefighters and police officers who have fallen in the line of duty protecting our neighborhoods. As we dedicate this plaza today in memory of our military, it will now honor all those who fought on behalf of our freedom and our safety.

Dedicated Memorial

The Courts building will now have the flags of every branch of the military flying from its portico, in the order in which each branch was established, along with a bronze plaque commemorating each branch’s service. In addition, a Patriot Plaza flag has been designed by Bryan Dunn and the name Patriot Plaza has been added to the Plaza’s protecting walls.

We know that no monument, no matter how grand, can pay adequate tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of our patriots in uniform. We dedicate this memorial so that here, at the heart of Baltimore County’s three branches of government, our words and our deeds will always be guided by the patriotism of America’s soldiers, our noblest public servants, and by the ideals that inspired them.

To the Blue Star Mothers, and to the families of all those who are serving or have served our nation, you have the unending thanks of a grateful County. To those that have lost a loved one in service to our Country, please know that we acknowledge a debt of gratitude and respect that we can never fully pay.

But we resolve here today, in this plaza, in the shadow of those hallowed flags, to remember our patriots by cherishing and protecting the ideals for which they fought so hard. On behalf of all the people of Baltimore County, I thank the patriots of the United States’ Armed Forces for their service. We owe you more than words can say, and you will never be forgotten.

Inside the Inspiration

This is a proud day for Baltimore County, and none of it would have been possible without the thoughtfulness of Baltimore County employee Dave Phillips, who stopped me one day as I was entering the Courthouse and suggested dedicating this plaza in memory of our soldiers. I know that his gratitude to our men and women in uniform represents the gratitude felt throughout Baltimore County. Dave, please stand up and be recognized. Thank you for your inspiration.

I thank George Klunk, the Property Manager for Baltimore County, as well as Bud Oettel and Dan Shumaker from the Office of Budget and Finance for doing such an outstanding job in making Patriot Plaza a reality. I know that the additions to this plaza were a challenge, but your commitment to our idea was essential to its success and I thank you for your efforts. I also thank Bryan Dunn, our Office of Communications ’ graphic designer, who in addition to the Patriot Plaza flag also designed this beautiful memorial. Bryan, you always do great work, but I believe that with this memorial you have created something truly special. Finally, I thank Tim Winters and his crew from the Department of Recreation and Parks for getting Patriot Plaza ready for today’s ceremony.

A Debt of Gratitude

Today, we are fortunate to be joined by nine veterans from the 29th Division Association, Limestone Post 72. These courageous men landed on the beaches of Normandy as the Allies began their offensive to free Nazi occupied Europe. Following the successful capture of Normandy, these soldiers played a critical role in the breakout of Allied forces from Normandy, code named “Operation Cobra.” They proved to be a critical part of the liberation of Brittany and its essential port of Brest, the Rhineland campaign in Holland and Germany, and the final defeat of the German Army east of the Rhine River.

It is no exaggeration to say that everyone here today, along with people throughout the world, owe a debt of gratitude for their freedom to these veterans. On behalf of the people of our communities, it is my honor to recognize these men with citations as tribute to their service.