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| Remarks by Senator Richard T. Moore - Re-Dedication of the “Ross Rajotte Bridge” |
| Delivered at Northbridge re-dedication ceremony |
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May 20, 2006 - Duty,
Honor, Country. Ross Rajotte
lived by this code. Ross
accepted as his patriotic duty the responsibility to serve his country
with courage and bravery in time of war.
And, throughout his life, he staunchly supported those in the
service, especially the National Guard, and the cause of all veterans
bearing witness to Lincoln’s historic plea… “to care for him who
has borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.” Ross remembered and honored his fellow veterans and their families in his heart, and he championed the duty of all of us to respect and revere those who have fought and those who have fallen for the cause of freedom and of America. His words, and more importantly, his actions always kept the faith with those whose service and sacrifice lets us gather here today. Ross made certain that no old soldier would ever “just fade away.” Ross
Rajotte’s life work embodied the words of the Bill of Rights in
everything he did. He
practiced religiously his right and civic duty to vote, to support
candidates and even be a candidate in free elections.
He served with great dedication as a Selectman of Northbridge. Ross
energetically participated in his right to peaceably assemble –
attending Town Meetings – our most basic of democratic institutions;
and his more than half century of attendance was legendary. He
abundantly exercised his right to express his opinion in countless
letters to the editor and by petitioning his government - at all levels
- more often and on more causes than probably any other citizens.
He
faithfully exercised his right to speak out for causes in which he
believed, to dream of things that never were, and ask, “Why not?” And
so we gather, this week before Memorial Day to salute Ross Rajotte – a
true patriot – and to re-dedicate this bridge in his memory and in
honor of the freedom which Ross, with God as his co-pilot, defended with
both bullet and ballot. We
here in Northbridge – in the Village of Rockdale – are also grateful
that people like Ross Rajotte who helped to give meaning and purpose to
the great principles on which this Nation and this Commonwealth are
founded. We say once again,
collectively as a community of his friends and neighbors, “Thanks,
Ross for making a positive difference in so many lives!” |
