The death of Osama bin Laden should make us think. We may be happy to know that he is no longer a threat but we surely have to question the way he was killed. Is it ever right to shoot an unarmed man? What has been achieved by his death except to make a martyr of him? Certainly his death is unlikely to bring closure to the threat from al-Qaeda because, in truth, only an old man was killed and others will probably take up his mantle… In fact is it time to question what the US government does in our name? Does a place like Guantanamo Bay show Americans up as being totally uncivilised and of bending international rules on the treatment of prisoners to suit their own purposes? How can anyone with pride in their own flag condone death row for instance knowing that many prisoners should be in mental institutions instead of prison? The growing awareness that America is out of step with other countries in this regard shows that at long last Americans are questioning what love of country really means. Is it time to question patriotism as we know it and concentrate instead on building peace through understanding. We have to ask what makes people prepared to commit suicide to blow us up? Real patriots must ask “How do others perceive us and could it be that they are right and we are wrong?” Patriotism is asking ourselves “Exactly what sort of country do we mean when we say God bless America?”

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Memorial Day is a day that should be commemorated with the appropriate words. Unfortunately many speakers have said the same thing year in year out and do not pay tribute to the past with new words or fresh ideas. It’s understandable of course as many of them will be public figures who are asked to give the same types of speeches over and over again. The occasion being marked though is one of great significance because our past determines our future. When we do not treat it with the respect it deserves we give out the message that it wasn’t really important anyhow and we should just concentrate on the here and now. Yet we should honour those who died in battle for a cause because in doing so they shaped our country as it is today. Certainly we should always remember our own families and tend their graves as a mark of respect for all they have done for us. It’s no harm to remind others of these facts and a good speaker will inspire them to remember those who have fallen in battle and to pause and think of our own beloved dead.

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Marines climb cliffs, soldiers climb obstacle courses and members of the air force climb into the blue yonder. Yet you don’t have to be in the military to scale oral heights. It helps, however, because there are so many military occasions where the C.O. has to say a few words. Like every other organization the army, the navy, the air force and the marines all have retirements for instance. There are speeches to and from the people or person retiring whether they are officers or enlisted members. There are promotions too and they call for a few words of congratulations. There are ROTC award speeches not to mention those words used when there is a change of command. There are re-enlistment speeches and re-deployment speeches and lots of graduation ones. When a member of the military dies, especially in battle, a poignant eulogy is often given. When you join the army you are taught how to march and shoot and to be patriotic. Maybe rhetoric classes would be a good idea too.

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Many of us have been told by our mothers that “Manners maketh man.” It’s true, of course, that a person with good manners is usually popular because they know how to be both appreciative and gracious in their dealings with others. Public speakers, though, have to know about etiquette as well as manners. That is they have to know the etiquette for individual speaking occasions. Obviously they must start by knowing how to address honoured guests such as The President, members of Royalty or even the Fleet Admiral. Most speakers will be familiar with titles such as Chairperson but different organisations have different names for those in office. There is, for instance, the Grandmaster of the Free Masons. So, depending on the occasion in question, the speaker has to start off on the right note by addressing the guests correctly. Depending on the occasion too he or she must know if he or she has to give a loyal toast. Winter is a time when many organisations have dinners and other social events. The speaker has to know who has to be introduced and who has to be thanked and whose responsibility it is to perform these functions. He also has to get the order right. At a Burns night supper for instance, when the guests have been welcomed the speaker must recite the Selkirk Grace before the haggis is served. Obviously you have perfect manners but if you are a public speaker do check out the etiquette too.

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Has it ever occurred to you how much influence a speech can have? Think how Hitler persuaded the German people to go to war. Think too how Churchill persuaded the British people to continue the war effort despite being bombed and blitzed. Remember how Martin Luther King shared his dream and how John F. Kennedy persuaded the American people to look into their hearts and see what they could do for their country. These are, of course, speeches that were made by famous people. Most of us are unlikely to change the fate of a nation. We can though, if we are enthusiastic enough, give a speech that changes beliefs or inspires an audience in some way. Obviously the speaker has to be convinced that the message he or she is giving is very important. Naturally too he or she has to have the urge to spread that message to everyone who hears it. You may be a conservationist who feels that a good public transport should totally replace private cars. Maybe you think that stem cell research is wrong. You could be against the proposal for a nuclear reactor in your area. If you feel passionately enough about the subject and you have your facts right you too can make an inspiring or motivational speech. If you can make your side of the argument convincing, your speech interesting and your sincerity apparent you may well change minds and hearts.

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What sort of speeches reflect our patriotism? It all depends on the occasion, of course, and national holidays are definitely a day for speaking about love of country. For an Irishman or woman then it would obviously be St. Patrick’s Day while an Australian would definitely express his feelings on Australia Day. There are other occasions though when patriotism is the core message in a speech. Take Flag Day, for instance, or the 4th July. On such days speakers will speak about what their country means to them in a way they wouldn’t at any other time of the year. September the 11th is a day when we express what t it means to be American in today’s dangerous world. Veterans’ Day is another day when we remember those patriots who died for their country or who fought the good fight in the cause of peace. Naturally in the military almost all speeches are patriotic in tone whether it’s a change of command speech from an outgoing army officer or a eulogy for someone who has died while serving their country. It’s hard to explain how a bit of land can make such a claim on us but certainly when someone else says something disparaging about one’s country one’s initial response is to defend it. Like family members we may criticise our own but nobody else has that privilege!

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Giving a military speech can be difficult. They have to be different to reflect a different way of life. A military speech needs to be patriotic in tone. Whether it is the retirement of an enlisted member from the air force or an army change of command speech it must reflect the ethos of the forces. Some humour will, of course, add to the speech but overall it should reflect the camaraderie of the forces. It should mention shared experiences and the loyalty that is part of military life. It should speak of dedication and commitment to, not to mention belief in the work of the military. There are, of course dozens of different occasions where the right words can make a real impression. These can vary from ROTC Awards speeches to military re-enlistment speeches. Whatever the occasion though the speech should reflect that fact that members of the military are proud of their profession.

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Let’s bring patriotism back. That’s the real answer to the fiscal crisis. If we really believed in our country we wouldn’t belittle it in any way. Instead we’d work even harder to make it a success.
That is not to say that we haven’t made mistakes. Our foreign policy, for instance, has cost us a fortune and meant that thousands of soldiers have died. It has also brought us respect and gratitude from those that were under the yoke of dictators such as Saddam Hussein.
The U.S. has problems but they can and must be solved and the American people are the ones who can do it if they have the willpower and the determination. On July the 4th as we celebrate Independence Day we should think about how lucky we are to be free.
We should think about how much we have gained from all people who have become part of our nation. We should think, plan and act positively. Patriotism means more than fireworks and flying the flag. It means showing our love for our country by making it work.

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They are gone but not forgotten. How can they be when every year so many countries remembrance day or veteran’s day is celebrated? When we hear a eulogy for a mother or a eulogy for a father they are usually very personal, speaking of that person’s attributes and personalities. Remembrance Day is different because on that day we speak about the sacrifices of the collective armed forces. Words like courage, bravery and patriotism are an integral part of a remembrance oration or speech. Sometime Veteran’s day is called Armistice Day in commemoration of the ending of the first world war in November 1918. On that day we remember the poppies in Flanders, a symbol of the blood shed in the trenches. Monarchs and heads of State lay wreaths at the tombs of unknown soldiers. They are often flanked by today’s serving soldiers or by elderly veterans proudly wearing their medals. It is however, their families and friends who remember such patriots in their hearts.

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Isn’t it strange how countries differ when celebrating? The Irish drown the shamrock on St. Patrick ’s Day. The Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of fireworks while in Jersey they have the battle of flowers.
Some things are the same though whatever the country and whatever their reason for celebrating. One of those things is atmosphere. There is an air of expectancy and excitement. Flags and bunting flutter in the breeze and everyone is in good spirits and enjoying the occasion. Another thing they have in common is parades. Whether it is
the excitement of the Mardi gras or the Marksman’s parade in Hanover in Germany, people march past, often dressed in colourful clothing or aboard wonderfully decorated floats.
Military parades often take place on patriotic occasions. The sound of marching feet or the drone of aeroplanes as they do a fly past capturing the attention of a sometimes silent crowd. They are not as colourful as the others but they can be awe inspiring and they evoke a feeling of patriotism and pride.
Children love festivals and parades and it is traditional to see fathers hoist their offspring on their shoulders for a better view. A parade wouldn’t be a parade if young boys did not climb up every statue along the route to ensure that they saw everything. Bands play and crowds cheer and clap. So whether you are celebrating Workers Day or Independence Day enjoy it and be part of that crowd.

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