American Holidays: Time to Honor Military Sacrifices

Although rocked by a devastating Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was inspired to proclaim a national day of Thanksgiving during his administration.

On Oct. 3, 1863, Lincoln set aside the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise.”

Lincoln’s proclamation includes a prayer for “all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers” due to the Civil War.

As America celebrates Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we must be truly grateful for the blessings upon our land. We must also exemplify mercy, empathy, and compassion to all victims of war. America must be eternally grateful to all whose sacrifices have preserved our freedoms.

Heart of the Holidays

For the past 16 years, I have been privileged to address audiences throughout America on leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

At the conclusion of each presentation, I share a tribute honoring America’s military sacrifices.

America must honor our military personnel, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Inspired by the proclamation of Lincoln and the natural fire of devotion in the human heart, we must forever be thankful for sacrifices and sensitive toward grieving families.

Now that we have celebrated Thanksgiving Day, we enter into the heart of a sacred time in America. As we enter into the solemn holiday season, we must pause and honor the sacrifices that enable our festivities.

Honor the Fallen

Navy Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, 49, of Oceanside, Calif., died Oct. 24 at Al Udeid Air Base, Doha, Qatar, in a noncombat-related incident while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Cathcart, 31, of Bay City, Mich., was a Green Beret who died on Nov. 14 in Kundoz Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire while on dismounted patrol.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston, 35, of Houston, Texas, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Hairston died on Aug. 12 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by small arms fire.

Navy Boatswain Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villot Carraso, 23, of Parma, Ohio, died as a result of nonhostile causes on June 19 aboard the destroyer James E. Williams while the ship was underway in the Red Sea.

Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Garabrant, 19, of Peterborough, N.H., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Army Capt. Jennifer M. Moreno, 25, of San Diego, assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center, died Oct. 6 in Zhari District, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked her unit with improvised explosion devices. Moreno, a nurse, gave her life trying to help a wounded soldier by running into a mine in a bomb belt rather than staying put. Moreno personifies the Soldier’s Creed, “I will never leave a fallen comrade.”

Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew T. Weathers, 30, of DeRidder, La., assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; died Sept. 30 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds caused by small-arms fire Sept. 28 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. Shawn M. Farrell II, 24, of Accord, N.Y., assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died April 28, in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Roberto C. Skelt, 41, of York, Fla., assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Feb. 12 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

Final Reflections

America is as great as our honoring of all who have served, especially for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Our country is on the path to reawakening the nation when honor is the heartbeat for those who have served and for the families who suffer from their loss.

Note Well
As originally published in Vincent's "Reawakening the Nation" column for the Friday, Nov. 29, 2014 edition of the Epoch Times.

Photos
Courtesy National Arlington Cemetery

College Rapes, Sexual Assaults: America’s Nightmare

It has been my privilege to conduct extensive security initiatives over the years for colleges and universities.

These have included:
•Hiring, management, and training of security personnel
•Collaboration with law enforcement
•Development of post orders and emergency plans
•Keynotes for law enforcement, security directors, managers, and supervisors
•Serving as spokesman for families victimized by the Virginia Tech tragedy and the completion of a report on their behalf
•Publication of numerous articles, blogs, and a book
•Police academy presentations for law enforcement seeking crime prevention practitioner certifications

Aside from these security initiatives, I have also been privileged to conduct many programs in character, ethics, and leadership, which in my opinion are inseparable from security at campuses.

Staggering Statistics

A January 2014 White House report titled “Rape and Sexual Assault: A Renewed Call to Action” clearly paints the enormity of the crisis on college campuses:

•1 in 5 women have been sexually assaulted while in college
•Dynamics of college life with the “get high” culture fueling the problem with many victims being drunk, under the influence of drugs, passed out, or otherwise incapacitated when violated
•Perpetrators preying on incapacitated women and sometimes providing them with alcohol and drugs
•The “party mentality” problem with 58 percent of incapacitated rapes and 28 percent of forced rapes taking place at parties
•Campus perpetrators equating to repeat serial offenders—an average of six rapes each
•Lack of reporting sexual assaults by student victims to law enforcement—an appalling average of only 12 percent report the crimes
•Low arrest rate—approximately 12 percent of 238,000 annual rape and sexual assault victims result in arrests

A 2012 report by the CDC paints additional disturbing facts:
•Among sexual violence victims raped since their 18th birthday, 31.5 percent of women and 16.1 percent of men reported a physical injury with 36.2 percent of women requiring medical treatment
•During 2004–2006 an estimated 105,187 females and 6,526 males aged 10–24 received medical care in emergency rooms as a result of nonfatal injuries sustained from sexual assault

Character Education and Leadership Initiatives

As mentioned earlier, during the many years that I have been conducting security initiatives, I have done so by integrating character and leadership programs as part and parcel to the issue. Security and character are inseparable in efforts to safeguard campuses. These initiatives paint the importance of this cohesion:
•“Transforming American Schools: The Heart and Brick of Security”—my signature presentation on school/campus security and character education that has been conducted for law enforcement personnel and educators nationwide
•“Be a Person of Character: Change the World”—a presentation conducted for students from middle school through college
•Articles, blogs, and a newest book and this weekly Epoch Times column that continually emphasize the importance of integrating security with leadership and character development
•Training initiatives for all elements of society—students, families, corporations, educators, government leaders, and law enforcement that present security as inseparable from character, ethics, and leadership. Just this year, events at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey titled Inaugural Conference: Character, Ethics, Leadership and Be a Person of Character: Change the World at Monmouth University were both filled to capacity with over 1,000 law enforcement officials, students, and family members

Final Reflections

America must enhance and integrate security and character education initiatives at our colleges and universities.

Each and every week we see tragic headlines of rape and sexual assaults as well as the violation of ethical principles that breach the call to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Only when America integrates cutting-edge security measures including physical, personnel, and emergency procedures with character education that emphasizes leadership and ethical responsibility will we be on the right track for reawakening the nation.

Photos
1. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and officials join student survivors in announcing support for a bipartisan effort in Congress to confront the scourge of sexual violence on college campuses. The announcement took place in New York on Aug. 13, 2014. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
2. Hundreds of law enforcement and educators assemble at the D.A.R.E. NJ April 29, 2009 conference prior to a keynote titled "Reawakening the Heart of America: Leadership, Vigilance , Collaboration" by Vincent J. Bove. (Vincent J. Bove)
3. Over 500 students from Bergen and Hudson counties in New Jersey at the annual Rebeka Verea Foundation symposium on March 31, 2009 prior to a presentation titled "Be a Person of Character: Change the World" by Vincent J. Bove (Vincent J. Bove)

Note Well
As originally published in Vincent's weekly "Reawakening the Nation" column in the Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 edition of the Epoch Times.

Domestic Violence, Shelters, Homelessness: Wake Up, America

There is a direct correlation between the scourge of domestic violence and the growth of shelter and homeless populations.

This is a very real fear to many victims of domestic violence and can influence decisions that prevent abuse.

Recently, I assisted a woman whose husband was arrested for domestic violence. She frantically stated that she had no other family members to assist her. She said, “Where will I live?” and “How will I make ends meet?”

I introduced her to a domestic violence prevention organization that provided the guidance she needed to immediately leave her abusive husband.

Unfortunately, there are too many domestic violence victims who remain trapped in the cycle of violence. A lack of financial resources, shortage of affordable housing, and a fear of shelters and homelessness exacerbate America’s domestic violence crisis.

Domestic Violence Definition

The U.S. Department of Justice states on its website, “We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.”

Domestic Violence and Homelessness

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness:

•Domestic violence survivors make up about 12 percent of the sheltered homeless population.
•Domestic violence is the immediate cause of homelessness for many women. Survivors of domestic violence are often isolated from support networks and financial resources by their abusers, which puts them at risk of becoming homeless.
•One study in Massachusetts found that 92 percent of homeless women had experienced severe physical or sexual assault at some point in their lives, 63 percent had been victims of violence by an intimate partner, and 32 percent had been assaulted by their current or most recent partner. Such studies suggest a correlation between domestic violence and homelessness.
•Survivors of domestic violence have both short-term and long-term housing needs. Immediately after incidents survivors require safe housing away from the abuser. Ultimately, the family requires access to safe, stable, affordable housing.
•Investment in affordable housing is crucial to this population, so that the family or woman is able to leave the shelter system as quickly as possible without returning to the abuser.
•One key challenge facing providers serving survivors of domestic violence is that safety and confidentiality concerns may make it difficult to track this group.

NYC Domestic Violence

As it is in cities throughout America, domestic violence is a serious New York City problem.

The mayor has begun a rent subsidy program to move abuse victims out of shelters but domestic violence is a complicated issue. Factors include the following:

•Economic hardships that influence women to return to abusers
•Minimal affordable housing opportunities throughout the city
•Domestic violence problems within New York’s public housing
•Immigrants’ fear of reporting to the police or seeking assistance that perpetuates the violent cycle
•Inability of victims to remain undetectable from abusers who can track them down at new residences or at work
•Over 46,000 domestic violence arrests in New York City already in 2014
•Lack of communicating problems to the police by victims—one report stated that 75 percent of the 37 victims killed in 2013 never informed the police
•Staggering NYPD domestic violence responses of 250,000 incidents annually—nearly 600 per day
•Reluctance of corporate domestic violence prevention initiatives. These should be ongoing and required for all staff

Final Reflection

Domestic violence is a national tragedy demanding collaboration between police, government officials, corporations, organizations, and the entire school system.

America’s schools and campuses must be an integral part of the solution. The youth of America often experience domestic violence within their families. We are fully committed to reawakening the nation when we safeguard all in society, including our youth, and empower them to identify and prevent domestic violence.

As originally published in Vincent's weekly "Reawakening the Nation" column in the Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 edition of the Epoch Times.

Photos
1.The homeless on Skid Row are seated for the annual Good Friday meal hosted by the LA Mission and served by volunteers and celebrities in Los Angeles on April 18, 2014. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
2. Missionary Sisters of Charity, commonly referred to as the Sisters of Mother Teresa, assist a homeless woman at Columbus Circle in NYC on Sept. 4, 2011 (Vincent J. Bove)
3. Homeless woman at the entrance to Central Park at 59th Street on Columbus Circle on July 23, 2010 (Vincent J. Bove)

America’s Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes

As America commemorates Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, our nation must pause to honor the heroes who have rendered military service.

America must be eternally grateful for the sacrifices, dedication, and patriotism of our veterans.

Today, as in generations past, courageous military personnel are living heroically. They are carrying the torch of freedom, democracy, and liberty for America and securing peace throughout the world.

Let us honor them with our appreciation, respect, and prayers.

Air Force
The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to fly, fight, and win … in air, space, and cyberspace.

Achieving this mission demands that the Air Force has a vision of global vigilance, with these core values as the foundation:
•Integrity first
•Service before self
•Excellence in all that we do

One of the many inspirational U.S. military stories is of the Tuskegee Airmen.
More than 50 years after they helped defeat Hitler and the Nazis in World War II, a group of these African-American heroes were justly awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007, at a White House ceremony.

They fought two wars, one against an evil totalitarian force oversees and another against unjust racism on American soil. At a time when African-Americans could not eat, be educated, ride in the front of the bus, or use public restrooms with whites, these patriots bravely served America.

Army
As detailed on its website the mission of the U.S. Army is to fight and win the wars of America by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across a full range of military operations.

Currently, there are more than 675,000 soldiers in today’s Army, which includes 488,000 active duty and 189,000 in the reserve.

The Army is engaged in worldwide operations including humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, and direct combat. Enlisted army soldiers are critical to the Army mission, always ready to directly carry out orders.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur eloquently expressed “duty, honor, country” as the hallowed heart of the Army during his May 12, 1962, speech at West Point.

Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard is the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security. It has protected our nation’s maritime interests and environments worldwide since 1790.

Our Coast Guard is a military force of maritime professionals protecting our rivers, ports, littoral regions and high seas.

Currently, there are 42,000 active duty members dedicated to readiness as America’s maritime guardians. The Coast Guard motto is “Semper Paratus” (“Always Ready”) and its core values are honor, respect, and devotion to duty.

Marine Corps
The U.S. Marines have been America’s expeditionary force since 1775. The Marines are “Semper Fidelis” (“Always Faithful”) and dedicated to leadership on the battlefield and as citizens when returning to America’s communities.

The core values of the Marines are
• Honor: a code of personal integrity to do what is right when no one is watching.
• Courage: the guardian of all values expressed through mental, physical, and ethical strength.
• Commitment: a spirit of determination that compels the Marine to persevere when others quit.
• Ductus Exemplo: a Latin term translated as “lead by example,” the heart of the Marines character.

Navy
The mission of the U.S. Navy is to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.

The Navy motto is cited as “Non sibi sed patriae” (“Not self but country”) and its core values are:
•Honor: conducting oneself with the highest ethical principles.
•Courage: living with moral and mental strength to do what is right
•Commitment: dedication to the highest degree of moral character

Final Reflection
The legacy of America urges us to appreciate all veterans who have honored our nation through their service. When we are grateful for the heroism, patriotism, and sacrifices of our veterans we are on the course to reawakening the nation.

As published in Vincent's weekly column titled "Reawakening the Nation" in the Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 edition of the Epoch Times.

Photos
1. U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Carl Zador interacts with Afghan children near Patrol Base Atull in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Nov. 20, 2011. Zabor is assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group Forward. (Courtesy U.S. Marine Corps by Lance Cpl. Jessica S. Gonzalez)
2. U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles fly over wild land fires following a routine training mission. (Courtesy U.S. Air Force)
3. U.S. Army Capt. John Turner, of Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, interacts with an Iraqi child at Forward Operating Base Lion near Baqouba, Iraq, on Aug. 19, 2009. U.S. soldiers helped fit the boy and six other children with wheelchairs donated by a U.S. charity. (Courtesy Department of Defense by Petty Officer 1st Class Kirk Worley, U.S. Navy)
4. The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell stands at attention among pallets of seized cocaine during an award ceremony at Naval Base San Diego. (Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard by Petty Officer 2nd Class Connie Terrell)
5. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberley Ryan holds hands with Afghan children as they walk to the local children’s shura near Forward Operating Base Jackson in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on Jan. 20, 2012. Ryan is the team leader assigned to the Marine Headquarters Group, Female Engagement Team. The team, along with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, has been conducting shuras, or classes, to provide area citizens with a variety of educational opportunities. (Courtesy U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl Ed Galo)