By Dave Warner
LITTLE FALLS — Winter weather forced the City of Little Falls’ annual Veterans Day Ceremony indoors to the public library on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, but the solemn gathering of veterans, families, and community members proceeded with full reverence.
Mayor Deborah Kaufman delivered the keynote address, recounting the historic Armistice of 1918 and sharing the extraordinary story of Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer to underscore the timeless courage of America’s service members.
“Good morning, and welcome to our 2025 Veteran’s Day Ceremony,” Kaufman began. “On this 11th day of the 11th month, we mark the moment the guns fell silent in 1918. Exactly 107 years ago, at 5:45 a.m., German delegates signed the Armistice in a railway car deep in France’s Compiègne Forest, ending the horrors of World War I with a truce that took effect at the ‘eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.’”
She noted the tragic cost of that final day: “Tragically, the fighting raged right up to that precise instant, claiming more than 2,700 lives on the final day alone—a stark reminder that peace often demands the ultimate sacrifice.”
Kaufman then turned to the 2009 Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan, where Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer defied orders five times to rescue comrades under withering Taliban fire.
“Twenty-one-year-old Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer—a Kentuckian on his first combat tour—heard the plea from a mile away,” she said. “He disobeyed. Five times.”
Describing Meyer’s relentless missions into the kill zone, Kaufman continued: “Meyer saved 36 lives—13 Americans and 23 Afghans—and recovered four fallen heroes so no body was left behind.”
Two years later, Meyer became the first living Marine in 41 years to receive the Medal of Honor. “When asked why he kept charging in, he answers the same every time: ‘They would’ve done it for me,’” Kaufman quoted.
“If you ever wonder if there are true heroes out there…the answer is Yes—and he’s still out there, baling hay, waiting for the next call,” she added.
Wrapping up her remarks, Kaufman urged the community to live up to veterans’ sacrifices: “Across two centuries of battlefields, from Concord to Kandahar, that same unbreakable instinct has defined every American who ever wore the uniform… So today, on this Veterans Day, let us remember our heroes…let us tell their stories, to ensure that no veteran ever stands alone. To Dakota Meyer and to every soul who answered the call—thank you.”
The ceremony featured the American Legion Color Guard presenting and retiring the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Phil Lalonde. Lalonde also led a musical tribute with “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America.”
In her community acknowledgments, Kaufman recognized veterans, active-duty personnel, Gold Star Families, and volunteers from the American Legion, VFW, Scouts, Mike Bulger, Oscar Stivala and Phil Lalonde.
Closing the event, she said: “Veterans… Active-duty… Gold Star Families—We see you. We thank you. We will never forget your service to our country and to our city.”
The ceremony concluded with a reception at American Legion Post 31, where light refreshments were served and veterans connected with attendees.
Discover more from The Daily Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
