NORWICH – A doctor and veteran of the United States Army spoke at yesterday’s Veterans Day service in Norwich, citing duty, honor, and country as the most noble developments of mankind.

The service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday in Norwich’s East Park. It was organized by Norwich’s VFW, and attended by multiple other veteran based organizations.

The keynote speaker, M.D. and U.S. Army Veteran Fern Thomas, spoke about the hardship and sacrifices veterans have made and continue to make in the name of serving their country.

“Duty, honor, country. These three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points,” said Thomas as she recited a speech from General Douglas MacArthur. “The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training: sacrifice.”

“In battle and in the face of danger and death, he disposes those divine attributes which his maker gave when he created man in his own image. No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of the divine help which alone can sustain him.”