Memorial Day: Respect, Reverence, Reawakening

America must pause to honor all who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Our nation must be reawakened by igniting a fire of respect, reverence, and remembrance in our souls.

Honoring all who have offered the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom is not only a privilege, but a sacred responsibility.

There must be a renewal of respect in the heart of America.

America must eternally heed the words of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt:

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”

America’s Flag: Symbol of Respect

As we honor Memorial Day, respect for America’s flag must be integral.

Our flag is the symbol of America, deserving of reverence, respect, and dignity.

In traditional observance of Memorial Day, the flag is raised briskly to the top of the mast. Then, it is reverently lowered to half-staff where it remains till noon. For the remainder of Memorial Day, it is raised to full-staff.

The half-staff flag solemnly honors well over one million men and women who have died to preserve our freedom.

At noon, their memory is honored with a full-staff flag, symbolizing that their sacrifices are not in vain.

The Flags of Arlington National Cemetery

At Arlington National Cemetery, one of America’s national cemeteries and the hallowed ground for more than 14,000 veterans, our flag holds a special place of honor.

On the Thursday before Memorial Day, over 1,200 soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry place an American flag at each of over 260,000 gravestones at Arlington.

Afterwards, these soldiers patrol the cemetery, 24 hours per day, throughout the weekend, to insure that the flags remain standing.

America’s flag is inseparable from honor for all who have offered the ultimate sacrifice.

Perhaps these words of an unknown author best articulate honoring our fallen and our flag:

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”

There are countless stories of the fallen, of which these two inspire respect.

U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. August Sacker Jr.

During World War II over 400,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice to save civilization from tyranny.

One such American was U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. August Sacker Jr., who joined the Marines when he was 22 years old. After previously quitting high school, sacker went back to earn his diploma to meet Marine requirements.

Sacker was killed June 15, 1944, on the first day of the Battle of Saipan, one week after his 31st birthday. Six months prior, he was wounded in the Pacific theater and received the Purple Heart. After convalescence, Sacker requested deployment to the European theater but was sent back to the Pacific where he was killed.

I learned about Sacker after noticing his vintage World War II photograph in the living room of my neighbor Marie, his surviving sister who since then has also passed on. Marie inspired me by her devotion to her brother by visiting his grave on a monthly basis for over 40 years while she was healthy enough to do so.

Sacker is buried in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, N.J. His sister said, “Visiting the grave of my brother and remembering all who made the ultimate sacrifice reminds us of the enduring value of character that is America’s destiny.”

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mark H. Dooley

On July 13, 2007, I was privileged to attend the full military interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery of Army 1st Lt. Mark H. Dooley, 27—killed in Iraq on Sept. 19, 2005. Lt. Dooley’s assignment was in the 2nd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 42nd Infantry Division, Vermont Army National Guard.

I was invited to this solemn event by his parents, Marion and Peter Dooley. I met Marion Dooley at a school violence prevention presentation for the Wallkill School District in New York on Nov. 22, 2006. Because I honor American military personnel at each of my presentations, Marion shared with me the story of her son.

Although there are many vignettes that can be used to capture the event, I will never forget the expressive faces of those who honored Mark and the “clip-clop” of horse hooves in soothing cadence as they transported the caisson that carried Mark’s remains. It was the perfect orchestration of nature and emotions during the one-mile procession to Mark’s final resting place—as though even the horses sympathized with the gravity of the interment.

Final Reflections

As America honors the fallen on this Memorial Day, may we reawaken reverence throughout our land.

Perhaps these words, from President John F. Kennedy will assist us with our observance:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live them.”

Related Coverage:

Memorial Day: Honor the Fallen, Widows, Orphans

Memorial Day: Honoring America’s Sacred Sacrifices

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos

1. Changing of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. (Vincent J. Bove)
2. American flags at the graves of U.S. soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in preparation for Memorial Day in Arlington, Va., on May 21, 2015. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
3. U.S. Marine Lt. August Sacker, who was killed at the Battle of Saipan in World War II. (Vincent J. Bove Publishing)
4. Internment procession of Lt. Mark H. Dooley, Arlington National Cemetery, July 13, 2007. (Vincent J. Bove)

Armed Forces: Honor, Leadership, Protecting America

On Saturday, May 20, America will celebrate Armed Forces Day.

It is commemorated annually, on the third Saturday of each May, to express gratitude for all men and women serving in America’s armed forces.

Armed Forces Day is also a part of Armed Forces Week, which begins each year on the second Saturday of May.

Armed Forces Day History

As detailed on the U.S. Department of Defense Armed Forces Day website, Armed Forces Day was created on August 31, 1949.

The purpose of this new day was to integrate previous separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days and to combine these with honoring all who serve, including the Marines and Coast Guard.

This single day commemoration reflects the unity of all serving in our armed forces under the Department of Defense.

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, understood clearly the critical importance of America’s armed forces. His assuming the office of the presidency after the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the waning months of World War II served as his lesson.

In a speech honoring the formation of Armed Forces Day, President Truman “praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas.”

Truman also stated that our armed forces are “vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace.”

In his Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Truman articulated the principles of collaboration, readiness, and preparedness, by stating the following:

"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense".

Just a few years later in 1953, another president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, honored Armed Forces Day by stating the following:

"Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he-the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine-who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail."

Safeguarding Peace

America, and all governments of the world are obligated to work for peace and avoid war.

However, we need our armed forces since the dangers of war persist and we cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, especially when all efforts of peaceful negotiation have failed.

The wisdom of Winston Churchill in his speech before the House of Commons on May 31, 1935, is applicable to “a corridor of deepening and darkening danger” taking place in the world today.

“It would be folly for us to act as if we were swimming in a halcyon sea, as if nothing but balmy breezes and calm weather were to be expected and everything were working in the most agreeable fashion. By all means follow your lines of hope and your paths of peace, but do not close your eyes to the fact that we are entering a corridor of deepening and darkening danger, and that we shall have to move along it for many months and possibly for years to come … It is not only the supreme question of self-preservation that is involved in the realization of these dangers, but also the human and the world cause of the preservation of free Governments and of Western civilization against the ever-advancing forces of authority and despotism.”

Just War Doctrine

As America commemorates Armed Forces Day, a moment to reflect on the strict conditions for legitimate defense of military force deserves consideration.

America’s military has a treasured legacy as the ethical protectors of freedom, democracy, and moral decency. This honorable legacy is also applicable to our defense of innocent, law-abiding people of many nations.

As “deepening and darkening dangers” ignite, the gravity of a decision to use military force must always respect ethical principles. These are commonly understood as the Just War Doctrine.

These principles involve the following:

• The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
• All other means of stopping the aggressor must be impractical or ineffective;
• There must be serious probability of success through the military action;
• The use of military action must not produce destructive consequences and disorders greater than the aggression to be terminated. The capabilities of modern warfare, which can be catastrophic, if not cataclysmic, must be weighed heavily in determining the condition for using them.

Final Reflections

America must eternally honor all who protect us through military service.

These patriots are the ethical protectors of the security and freedom of America, and people of good will throughout the world.

When they fulfill their duty, they provide legitimate defense, a sacrosanct duty of their mission.

In the garden of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, is a powerful sculpture titled, “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares” by Yevgeny Vuchetich.

The sculpture depicts these words from the Book of Isaiah:

“they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

As a gathering storm continues with division among nations, may nations heed these words and pray for peace.

Yet, let us always remember the sacred right we have to defend ourselves, and all people of moral decency.

May we be forever grateful for our Armed Forces, and may their sacrifices throughout the world serve the path of peace.

Related Coverage:

America’s

Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes


Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photo's

1. U.S. Navy Sailors, Times Square, NYC, May 21, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)
2. U.S. Marine Corp, Times Square, NYC, May 22, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)
3. “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares” by Yevgeny Vuchetich, United Nations Headquarters, NYC. (Public Domain)

Trojan Horse in the Heart of America

The legend of the Trojan horse is ever-new, illuminating dire lessons to be learned due to contemporary issues in America.

Our country is in desperate need of an ethical renaissance. We must be vigilant due to the realities of deception from within.

America Beware

According to myth, the Trojan horse depicts a huge, hallow wooden horse constructed by the Greeks. It is designed to deceive by penetrating the walls of Troy during the Trojan War.

The Greeks deceived the Trojans to believe the horse was an offering to Athena, the goddess of war.

This deception violated not only physical security principles by gaining unauthorized access, but involved supernatural duplicity.

The Trojans were deceived to believe that their goddess would make Troy impregnable against their enemies.

Although the Trojans were warned, they allowed the Trojan horse to enter into the very heart of their society.

Afterwards, under cloak of night, Greek warriors emerged from the horse, and opened the gates for their army.

The moral of the story is to be aware of deception, especially through the guise of pleasantries, honor, and generosity.

Unfortunately, this lesson has not been learned throughout the ages, as individuals are continually manipulated, tricked, or scammed. When subterfuge takes place from within, it is particularly destructive.

There is a Latin verse in the "Aeneid", Book II, "Equo ne credite, Teucri. Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes."

The expression is translated as "Do not trust the horse, Trojans! Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks, even bringing gifts."

America’s Crisis of Truth

Society must be built on the foundation of truth which always contradicts false witness, deception, and lying.

Truth is a moral requirement for society, and offenses against honesty, by word or action, are violations against character, ethics, and moral decency.

By our nature, we must exist in harmony with truth, as it is vital to the dignity of our humanity.

Truth is expressed through candor, sincerity, an honesty. It is a virtue required in the normal encounters of daily life, and it is mandatory at the highest levels of the nation.

Truth is always opposed to the destructiveness of deception, duplicity, and hypocrisy. Although deviance's may have their moment, truth must be forever upheld, for in due time, it will have its victory.

Truth is also a virtue which respects the virtue of justice. Whenever there are offenses against truth, as with rash judgement, deception, slander, immoral business practices, or calumny, there is an assault against justice.

Lying is commonly understood as the most direct offense against truth. The gravity of the lie is based on the manner in which truth is distorted, as well as the unjust suffering to its victims.

Lying is never acceptable, but tragically alive and well throughout America. If one is honest about contemporary realities of American life, we are experiencing a crisis of truth throughout every segment of society.

Dishonesty is rampant in our courts, with deceptive affidavits, perjury, and manipulating the truth with the intent to deceive.

Lying is also massive and pervasive through corporate greed, in families through infidelities, and at the highest levels of government through cover-ups, corruption, and hypocrisy.

America must realign its moral compass, and enhance our vigilance to safeguard democracy. We must have our eyes wide-open to the numerous seductive deceptions taking place throughout society.

We must be ever mindful that deceptiveness, under the guise of progressiveness, is a violation of truth.

The violation of truth always opposes the character, dignity, and destiny of America.

Dangerous false pronouncements that dishonor truth are toxic to the heart of the nation.

Truth must always be served. We must always take the moral high-road and never accept compromises that are intoxicated by mediocrity.

Final Reflections

America must dedicate itself to an ethical renaissance built on the pillars of truth, justice, and patriotism.

Our nation needs moral courage, ethical leadership, and unwavering vigilance for a reawakening. These principles must take place in the hearts of all; individuals, families, students, educators, law enforcement, community leaders, corporations, and government officials.

America will undergo a transformation when character, built on the foundation of truth is reawakened, renewed, and rejuvenated in the heart of the nation.

“We the People”, have a restlessness in our hearts that can only be satisfied when truth is served. This truth is only authentic when it is opposed to self-aggrandizing schemes, shallow slogans, or manipulative huckstering.

A Trojan horse has penetrated the heart of America, cloaked by a veil of deception, dishonesty, and hypocrisy.

It is time for all privileged to call America home, to change the course. This will only be possible through lives of character, honesty, and moral decency.

Related Coverage:

Drain the Swamp: Championing America’s Ethical Renaissance

America’s Corrupt Culture Beckons Ethical Renaissance

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Painting:

1. The Procession of the Trojan Horse in Troy by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (Public Domain)

2. People parade with a Trojan horse during an historical reenactment in front of the amphitheatre as part of the third edition of the Roman Games on April 28, 2012 in Nimes, southern France. (PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/GettyImages)

3. American Flags, Rockefeller Center, NYC. (Vincent J. Bove)

National Police Week: Honoring Ethical Protectors

As America prepares to commemorate National Police Week, we must pause to honor all who serve our communities, especially those who have offered the ultimate sacrifice.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

President Kennedy also designated the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.

During the same year, a joint resolution of Congress proclaimed National Police Week as the time to pay special recognition to those who died protecting others.

The Memorial Wall: Ever-Changing

As of May 2, 2017, the fatalities of ethical protectors reflect a sobering 32 percent increase over the same time frame last year.

The NLEOMF tracks law enforcement fatalities nationwide.

New York, California, Georgia, and Louisiana lead the nation with these fatalities.

Whenever an officer is killed in the line of duty, the NLEOMF informs the nation of their sacrifice through their Fallen Alerts Program.

This alert also initiates a process for the fallen officer’s name to be immortalized into the National Memorial.

The Memorial in Washington DC, honors federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve America.

Carved into the Memorial stones are the names are more than 20,000 officers killed in the line of duty.

These names date back to the first known death in 1791.

But unlike other iconic memorials in our nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall (NLEOMW) is ever-changing.

As new officers offer the ultimate sacrifice, their names are etched into the Memorial each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week.

Recently Fallen Ethical Protectors

As one pauses to reflect on the sacrifices of our ethical protectors, we must remember they are members of America’s communities and families.

These are individuals with lives of hallowed service to America, who must be eternally remembered as individuals who represent the best of all of us.

This is a partial list of recently fallen ethical protectors as detailed on the NLEOMF site.

Deputy Sheriff Mark Burbridge
Pottawattamie County (IA) Sheriff's Office
End of Watch: May 1, 2017

Deputy Sheriff Mark Burbridge was shot and killed while he and another deputy transported an inmate back to the Pottawattamie Jail after a court appearance. The inmate was able to disarm one of the deputies and shot them both, killing Deputy Sheriff Burbridge and wounding another deputy.

The inmate then stole the transport van and fled the scene. Afterwards, the inmate was found and taken into custody.

Deputy Sheriff Burbridge is the 14th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed in 2017 and the first officer fatality from the state of Iowa.

Deputy Sheriff Justin Beard
Ouachita Parish (LA) Sheriff's Office
End of Watch: April 30, 2017

Deputy Sheriff Justin Beard was killed in a single vehicle crash while responding to a burglar alarm during a severe thunderstorm. Deputy Sheriff Beard is the 7th law enforcement officer to be killed in a single vehicle crash and the third officer fatality from the state of Louisiana.

Corporal Stephen J. Ballard
Delaware (DE) State Police
End of Watch: April 26, 2017

Corporal Stephen J. Ballard was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle at a gas station.

One of the suspects in the vehicle fired upon Corporal Ballard striking him multiple times.

Corporal Ballard was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

One suspect was apprehended at the scene and the second suspect barricaded himself inside his home.

Corporal Ballard is the 13th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed in 2017 and the second officer fatality from the state of Delaware.

Sergeant Megan Lee Callahan
North Carolina (NC) Department of Public Safety - Division of Prisons
End of Watch: April 26, 2017

Sergeant Megan Lee Callahan was killed after being assaulted at the Bertie Correctional Institution in North Carolina.

She was attacked by a male inmate serving a life sentence for a previous murder.

Sergeant Callahan was provided medical aid but later succumbed to her injuries. Sergeant Callahan is the second officer fatality from the state of North Carolina.

Agent Benjamin De los Santos-Barbosa
Puerto Rico Police Department
End of Watch: April 19, 2017

Agent Benjamin De los Santos-Barbosa was shot on April 16, 2017, when he and three other officers attempted to stop a vehicle with illegal window tint.

The suspect, who was on parole, led officers on a pursuit. The suspect then backed into the patrol car and opened fire as he exited the vehicle hitting Agent De los Santos-Barbosa in the head.

Agent De los Santos-Barbosa succumbed to his injuries on April 19, 2017.

Agent De los Santos-Barbosa is the 12th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed in 2017, and the first officer fatality from Puerto Rico.

Final Reflections

America must appreciate the service of dedicated men and women protecting our communities in a dangerous profession deserving of honor.

As detailed in my article title “Fallen Officers Demand America’s Reawakening” for the July 20, 2016 edition of the Epoch Times, fatalities of our ethical protectors pierces the heart of America.

This senseless, unending anguish violates America’s security and rips the cohesiveness of police-community relations, critical to the preservation of society.

The alarming killings of police throughout the country is like one not experienced in decades. Law enforcement officials are being killed nationwide and the appalling reality is that things might get worse before they get better.

These tragedies are a sad commentary about the brokenness of American society since without collaboration between the police and the people, a society cannot endure.

America must build ethical bridges of respect, dignity, and decency within every facet of society, especially between the police and the people.

We will be on the path of reawakening the nation, when these bridges are built in our schools, campuses, workplaces, families, and communities.

Related Coverage:

Fallen Officers Demand America’s Compassion, Vigilance, Unity

NYPD Fallen Officer Randolph Holder: Fidelis Ad Mortem

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos

1, 2, and 4. (Credit NLEOMF)

2. Memphis, Tennessee, Police Officer Nick Koonce makes a pencil rubbing from the memorial wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial May 15, 2009 in Washington, DC. Koonce made a rubbing of the name of Officer John Sykes, Jr., who was killed in the line of duty in 1982. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)