With those words, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Burley Malbrough from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle told those gathered, including veterans and students from Lyter Elementary School and Montoursville High School at the Montoursville Cemetery, how he did not initially aspire to be in the military.

“I didn’t come from a military family,” he said. “There were no uniforms hanging in the closets or stories of deployments around the dinner table.”

Instead, he said, his interest in the military began in high school, having joined the junior ROTC Reserve Officers Training Corps — not because he had his future figured out but because he wanted to challenge himself in how to lead.

What started as a curiosity, grew into purpose.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Lyter Elementary School third grade students sing patriotic songs at the Montoursville Cemetery Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday.

He said he learned leadership isn’t about giving orders but is about setting an example, taking responsibility and fostering teamwork.

The experience opened the door to continue in college through the ROTC program, eventually honored to be commissioned as an officer upon graduation.

His journey taught him that it wasn’t necessary to come from a long line of service to serve the country but to “just care enough to contribute, whether that is in uniform or for any calling that strengthens your community.”

Patriotism, he said, isn’t about slogans or politics but is about gratitude and stewardship.

“It is the belief that our nation – with all of its imperfections – is still worth the effort.”

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Arno Vosk performs the bagpipe prelude at the Montoursville Cemetery Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday.

To be patriotic is to recognize the freedoms that are enjoyed come at a cost and to live in a way that honors that cost.

It means showing respect for others, helping those in need, working hard, taking pride in your school and your community, he added.

It also means learning history – the good and the difficult – so that you can understand the sacrifices that brought us here today and the responsibilities that come with being American.

“When you stand for the flag, when you volunteer your time, when you treat people with dignity you are practicing patriotism,” he said.

“Those actions say, ‘I care about this country and I want to make it better.’

He called on the students to remember that freedom, which we often take for granted, was secured by generations of Americans who wore the nation’s uniform.

“We don’t gather to celebrate war, we gather to celebrate those who bore its weight,” he said.

It was a ceremony to reflect on those who stood guard for liberty, so that others can live in peace.

It was a stark reminder that every generation has answered the same call — to defend the idea that freedom, justice and opportunity are worth protecting.

From the battlefields of history, to the missions of today, American servicemembers — men and women — from every background, every branch and from every coroner of this country held that promise.

“Their courage and strength are what truly defines the character of our nation,” he said.