Twilight of Life Remembrance: Forgiveness, Healing, Kindness

It is my privilege to visit senior residence homes, as I did yesterday, administering the Holy Eucharist to about 35 seniors each time in the twilight of their lives.

Yesterday included a visit to Richard, in the last hours of his life, to offer prayers, blessing and the Eucharist for his journey to eternity.  

The visit was requested by his beloved friend after my Eucharistic service, who wept while we prayed at Richard's bedside.

The visit to Richard was profoundly spiritual, humbling, and a reminder of our own mortality.

And then today, coming across this profound article on X, which opened the floodgates of emotions within my soul.

These sentiments are a poignant reminder of how fleeting this life is, and the importance of loving-kindness, forgiveness, and devotion to loved ones and neighbors.

Fear of Parent's Old Age

"There is a break in the family history, where the ages accumulate and overlap, and the natural order makes no sense: it’s when the child becomes the parent of their parent." "It’s when the father grows older and begins to move as if he were walking through fog. Slowly, slowly, imprecisely. "It’s when one of the parents who once held your hand firmly when you were little no longer wants to be alone. It’s when the father, once strong and unbeatable, weakens and takes two breaths before rising from his seat. "It’s when the father, who once commanded and ordered, now only sighs, only groans, and searches for where the door and window are—every hallway now feels distant. "It’s when one of the parents, once willing and hardworking, struggles to dress themselves and forgets to take their medication. "And we, as their children, will do nothing but accept that we are responsible for that life.

“And He said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Mt: 18: 3

"The life that gave birth to us depends on our life to die in peace. "Every child is the parent of their parent's death. Perhaps the old age of a father or mother is, curiously, the final pregnancy.

"Our last lesson. An opportunity to return the care and love they gave us for decades. "And just as we adapted our homes to care for our babies, blocking power outlets and setting up playpens, we will now rearrange the furniture for our parents. "The first transformation happens in the bathroom. We will be the parents of our parents, the ones who now install a grab bar in the shower. "The grab bar is emblematic. The grab bar is symbolic. The grab bar inaugurates the "unsteadiness of the waters." "Because the shower, simple and refreshing, now becomes a storm for the old feet of our protectors.

"We cannot leave them for even a moment. "The home of someone who cares for their parents will have grab bars along the walls. And our arms will extend in the form of railings. "Aging is walking while holding onto objects; aging is even climbing stairs without steps. We will be strangers in our own homes. We will observe every detail with fear and unfamiliarity, with doubt and concern. "We will be architects, designers, frustrated engineers. How did we not foresee that our parents would get sick and need us? "We will regret the sofas, the statues, and the spiral staircase. We will regret all the obstacles and the carpet. "Happy is the child who becomes the parent of their parent before their death, and unfortunate is the child who only appears at the funeral and doesn't say goodbye a little each day. "My friend Joseph Klein accompanied his father until his final moments. "In the hospital, the nurse was maneuvering to move him from the bed to the stretcher, trying to change the sheets when Joe shouted from his seat: Let me help you. He gathered his strength and, for the first time, took his father into his arms. He placed his father's face against his chest. "He cradled his father, consumed by cancer: small, wrinkled, fragile, trembling. He held him for a long time, the time equivalent to his childhood, the time equivalent to his adolescence, a long time, an endless time. By Your Side Nothing Hurts Rocking his father back and forth. Caressing his father. Calming his father. And he said softly: "' I'm here, I'm here, Dad!' What a father wants to hear at the end of his life is that his child is there." "I love you, Dad, wherever you are, I always think of you, I will never forget you!"

Final Reflection

This sobering post on X reminded me of a moment in 2014 when I received an unexpected call from a residence home in California.

During the call, I was told that my father had just days to live, and had expressed his remorse at abandoning my sister Cathy and I when we were children, over 40 years ago.

Compounding this remorse, he was deeply sorry that he chose to be incommunicado. At times we only heard from him, or knew his whereabouts every few years, or sometimes decades.

I asked the attendant who called me for his address in California, and on the next morning flew cross-country from New Jersey. My visit allowed time for prayer, and to assure him of not only my forgiveness, but of God's.

My sincere prayer is that sharing this reflection inspires bridges in families where there is brokenness, and that we learn to be wounded healers, as our time on earth passes in the blink of an eye. Author quoted text unknown - Text (before Vincent J. Bove final reflections) on X by Fr. Charbel Abernethy @philokalia_min - photo w/out attribution noted, Oct. 17, 2024.

Photo: Vincent with Li Nation children and teachers, Dec. 6, 2018, Li Nation, China. (Reawakening America LLC)

Note Well: Li County or Nation is a county in Hunan Province, China under the the prefecture-level city of Changde.  (Wikipedia)

About Vincent

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author. 

He authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police, and a total of 325 articles for numerous publications. 

His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.

He developed “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:

·         Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

·         Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange

·         Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University

·         Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York

·         Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. www.vincentbove.com

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  Vincent J Bove

New York Yankees 2024 Season: Reigniting Confidant Memories

Congratulations to the New York Yankees for clinching the ALDS last night to advance to the American League Championship Series, with the winner heading to the 2024 World Series.

Every Yankee game, especially playoffs, ignites memories of my years as confidant to members of two world championship teams from the 1970s - 1980s.

It is still a privilege to remain in contact, notably just this morning with my friend for 42 years, Bucky Dent, a world champion with two teams, and MVP for the 1978 World Series.

Related: 

New York Yankee Confidant and Little League Memories / Excerpt:

Major League Baseball (MLB) has lessons of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance for the upcoming Olympics, and for all who enjoy sports.

Since baseball has always been my favorite sport, I often used lessons from it not only during coaching, but in many of my presentations on leadership.

As a child, love for the game was expressed through card collecting.  The real fans always knew statistics, the lineup of one’s favorite team by heart, and articulating it with each batter at every whiffle ball, stickball, or Little League game.

Baseball became significantly more serious to me after the tragic death of Yankee catcher Thurman

Munson.

Soon thereafter, I found myself involved with MLB on a much more profound level - confidant to the New York Yankee baseball players, and to many players throughout MLB.

In particular, I will always be grateful to legendary former New York Yankee shortstop Bucky Dent. His appreciation for my work with poor youth as a Salesian of Don Bosco opened the door for me to work with New York Yankee players.  

Bucky's leadership was exemplary not only as a world-class player, but as a person of character. His respect by his teammates, and those in the Yankee organization led me to serve as a confidant the team, and collaborating with them on my first book.

During one summer in particular, I was working at a camp at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on 118th Street in Harlem in 1982 as a youth counselor. In the evenings, I took the subway to Yankee Stadium to work with the players, as well as to collaborate with them on my book, On the Eighth Day God Created the Yankees.

The experience with inner city kids during the day and with the great names of baseball in the evening, gave me an unforgettable perspective. I was working with the very poor and the very rich, extreme sides of the economic spectrum, all in the course of the same day.

The lesson from this experience remains with me to this day, money, fame, and prestige do not define the person. It is character – a good heart, appreciating life, and fostering good will toward others – that is paramount in life.

Final Reflections

Yankee pinstripes do not determine a person’s greatness, but the stripes of thoughtfulness, respect, civility, truthfulness, kindness, and charity toward others.

This is what is important in the game of life, and living a life of character is greater than any World Series Championship. 

Many Yankees learned that lesson in the summer of 1979 after the death of their beloved captain.  

It is a lesson each of us must live as life is short, and every day we must strive to live a life of character, and to do something to help others.

About Vincent

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author. 

He authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police, and a total of 325 articles for numerous publications. 

His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.

He developed “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:

·         Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

·         Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange

·         Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University

·         Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York

·         Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. www.vincentbove.com

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  Vincent J Bove

Photos:

1. Vincent J. Bove with Bucky Dent, April 19, 1982, Columbus, Ohio exhibition game. (Reawakening America LLC)

2. New York Yankee collage, includes photos from Yankee Stadium, the New Orleans Superbowl, and the Columbus Clippers Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, circa early 1980's. Also included is cover of my first of four books, And On the Eighth Day God Created the Yankees, copyright 1981 with all proceeds for poor youth in various Salesian of Don Bosco apostolates.

 
3. Vincent J. Bove with youth of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Harlem, New York City.  Summer camp 1982. (Reawakening America LLC)

School Violence, Active Shooter, 21st Century Policing: Presentation Abstracts

American School Violence Demands Moral Courage  ►

The school community is burdened with providing an unprecedented level of security diligence and professionalism to ensure safety for students, faculty, staff members, and families.

This program covers proactive responses to school violence that balance cutting-edge crime prevention tips, the preventive pedagogy of education, and the mobilizing and solidifying the community to serve as ethical protectors. 

Personnel, physical, and procedural security are integrated with community empowerment through the preventive pedagogy.  This serves as the launching pad to standards of excellence necessary for security awareness and educational revitalization.

This program is for school administrators, faculty, staff, coaches, law enforcement, students, and families of elementary, middle, high schools, and colleges – both public and private.

America's Active Shooter Crisis Demands Leadership  ►

Leadership is critical for law enforcement, private security, government officials, property managers, educational administrators, and all those responsible for safeguarding individuals entrusted to their care.

Violence is the new reality of American life and companies, schools, campuses, houses of worship, and public gatherings throughout the nation are potential targets.

Through his own moral courage, vast experience, and invaluable security, Vincent inspires and empowers attendees to rise to the challenge and become leaders in times of crisis.

He addresses a litany of contemporary issues and demonstrates how a community must meet them head-on.

​From active shooter response guidelines, personal safety, substance abuse, domestic violence, diversity, conflict resolution, situational awareness, workplace violence, crisis management, emergency preparedness, drills, evacuations, and warning signs

21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Protectors ►

Contemporary Policing demands visionary leadership, moral courage, and iron-clad collaboration that builds trust within the agency and community.

This highly-motivational, ethical presentation or training program fills the demands that 21st century policing requires.

Ethical policing training and development is a proven educational model that strengthens operational efficiency, improves moral, and increases respectability.

Ethics empowers the rank-and-file of an agency with leadership skills, vigilance enhancement, and collaborative expertise.

It addresses state-of-the-art ethical principles based upon recognized issues vital to the profession. This is the most effective way of developing, attaining, and sustaining the vision, mission, and core values of the agency.

It will strengthen agency accountability and improve community trust through principles that honor expectations, performance, and responsibility.

Ethical training assists in limiting the agency’s liability since it has been conducted by an independent, respected authority.

About the Speaker

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author. He authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police, and 300 additional articles for numerous publications. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.

He developed “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:

·         Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

·         Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange

·         Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University

·         Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York

·         Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. www.vincentbove.com

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  Vincent J Bove

Photos: Vincent J. Bove, a selection of 18 cover stories for The National Association of Chiefs of Police - magazines were published hard copy and distributed for 15 consecutive years, and a selection is also posted on their website.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt: A Reflection

On August 5, 2024, my wife and I visited the home, library, museum and gravesite of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) at Hyde Park, New York.

After the visit, I was compelled to revisit some of my published works including my cover story for The Chief of Police.

The Summer 2018 article titled American Government Requires Leaders of Character, was released hard-cover to police chiefs and law enforcement executives nationwide.  

It was also released in The Sentinel, my opinion column for Epoch Times, and as a chapter in my book Reawakening America.

The article in its entirely is noted below. Yet, the spotlight in the section titled Character: America’s Wake Up Call, highlighting FDR, is as follows:

“All who truly love America must stand on the pillar of moral indignation against the crisis of character in our society.

“We must be dedicated to the ideals of character in order to expedite our transformation from a culture that is often callous, crass, and corrupt.

“America must reflect retrospectively on events from our past that exemplified character, courage, and compassion.

“We must rise up against the moral deficiencies of the day. 

"The immortal words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) are applicable to us once again, ‘this generation has a rendezvous with destiny.’

“If the call to America by FDR during the ominous days of World War II were now reignited, our reawakening would be resuscitated.

“FDR stated that America have a ‘toughness of moral and physical fiber which is precisely the characteristic of a free people, a people dedicated to the institutions they have built.’”    

FDR Reflections

These reflections on FDR have their foundation on my appreciation his service to America. 

They are also inspired in a favorite book on American history titled No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II.

Reflections of Roosevelt are also in my 2006 article titled America’s Resolve in a New Era of Leadership for The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine:

"Moral outrage in a calm, demanding and persevering manner must be the order of the day and America must respond with a new resolution to leadership; highlighted by character, to expedite transformation from a culture of corruption to the ideals of service and dedication to community. America need only reflect retrospectively on the leadership and events of its noble past to be reignited with the call of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 'this generation has a rendezvous with destiny'".

The Original Article /  The Chief of Police, Summer of 2018 Cover Story

American Government Requires Leaders of Character

For the past twenty years I have addressed a crisis of character in American society through my presentations and published works.

This crisis is witnessed in the public sector at the highest levels of government with scandals, arrests, indictments, and prison sentences.

Yet, the crisis is also evident in the private sector with blistering violations of moral decency.

America’s crisis of character has also lacerated the reputation of the entertainment industry, professional sports, and even religious institutions thought to be sacrosanct.

Our nation must respond the crisis with a commitment to an ethical renaissance. The heartbeat of character is our nation’s destiny and it needs to be resuscitated.

A Warning from Lincoln

In my opinion, lessons of character from Abraham Lincoln are critical to the reawakening of America.

Abraham Lincoln is admired as an ethical leader, who possessed masterful communication skills built on the pillars of honesty, ethics, and character.

With character as Lincoln’s foundation, his timeless words are a new clarion call for America. They serve as a prophetic warning for a nation whose character has been diminished:

“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country... corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.”

If only the character of Abraham Lincoln were truly taken to heart, America would be transformed.

Character: America’s Wakeup Call

All who truly love America must stand on the pillar of moral indignation against the crisis of character in our society.

We must be dedicated to the ideals of character in order to expedite our transformation from a culture that is often callous, crass, and corrupt.

America must reflect retrospectively on events from our past that exemplified character, courage, and compassion.

We must rise up against the moral deficiencies of the day. The immortal words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) are applicable to us once again, “this generation has a rendezvous with destiny.”

If the call to America by FDR during the ominous days of World War II were now reignited, our reawakening would be resuscitated.

FDR stated that America have a “toughness of moral and physical fiber which is precisely the characteristic of a free people, a people dedicated to the institutions they have built.”

Complementing the leadership of FDR was General Dwight Eisenhower. General Eisenhower had a reputation of never yelling, shouting, or losing his temper. He was a dedicated father and grandfather figure to those entrusted to his care.

Eisenhower’s temperament helped foster collaboration without ever undermining his authority. He cultivated a mentality of patriotism among the special young men and women who will be eternally honored for saving democracy and civilization.

General Eisenhower made America proud of its call to be liberators. He kept his troops focused by his reminder that “the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and the security for us in a free world is our mission.

Truth: A Pillar of Character

As detailed in my article for the March 21, 2017 Epoch Times titled “America’s Culture of Deception: The Art of the Con,” I argued that “truth is the indispensable moral sanction for a healthy society.”

The article also stated that America is “experiencing a massive and pervasive pandemic of deception.” It argued that “wherever there is deception, or the misrepresentation of truth, the moral order required by society is wounded.”

America must respond to our crisis of character and dedicate itself to truthfulness. Truth must be reflected in our words, both verbal and written, and in our actions. Truth must be the light that emanates from our souls and inspires all the activities of our lives.

The illumination of truth is a light that penetrates the darkness. We are reminded of its power through the words of Winston Churchill who stated that “the truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

West Point: Developing Leaders of Character

The United States Military Academy (USMA) has lessons on character for all of America.

Their mission statement includes “to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character to the values of Duty, Honor, Country.”

The USMA leadership development system is designed to define outcomes. The demands including to “live honorably and build trust” and to “pursue excellence and continue to grow” are applicable not only to the Corps of Cadets, but to all truly dedicated to America.

As Lt. General L. Caslen, Jr., Superintendent of the USMA states, “As the Army looks to the future, our officers’ need for competence and character has never been greater.”

Character is critical to the future of the U.S. Army. Yet, the wisdom of the USMA and Lt. General Caslen, Jr. on character for the Corps of Cadets is also critical to all of America. Character must be the heartbeat of the duties, responsibilities, and circumstances of life for all privileged to call America home.

Final Reflections

The heart of America demands character which will be the only antidote to our current crisis of moral decency.

Character is the virtue which animated the great leaders in our history.

The resuscitation of our character is our responsibility and our destiny. Character must be alive in our homes, schools, workplaces, courts, communities, social media activities, and government.

Character must especially be alive, and continually beating, in the heart of every person privileged to call America home.

A Prayer for America

“Almighty God, enkindle us to be radiant light so darkness can be vanquished and our communities reawakened.

“Let us live by the splendor of truth and high ethical standards, so deception can be eradicated from our nation.

“Give us an unwavering confidence in our task, and keep the torch of character burning in our hearts.

“Forge partnerships between all members of every community.  Let apathy be conquered. Inspire us to exemplify respect, courtesy, and charity.

“Allow the providential wisdom of our American heritage to guide us.  Empower us with unfailing strength to bear all trials.

“Enlighten us so this unique time of challenge may impel us to transform the nation.

“Protect each person privileged to call America home with the ironclad shield of virtue, and the shelter of justice. 

“Ignite wisdom, understanding, and compassion within our souls.

“Animate our hearts, so we may work with one another and live in a nation of tranquility, solidarity, and liberty.  Amen.”                   

Vincent J. Bove, Reawakening America LLC, 11/21/21

FDR's D-Day Prayer

On June 6, 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt's usual "fireside chat" would be replaced with a joint prayer with the American people. 

Related Coverage:

We the People Demand Character in American Government

American Government Requires Ethical Leadership

America’s Critical Ethical Issues Demand Resolution

American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country

America's Shadow of Internment: Executive Order 9066

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author. He authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police, and 300 additional articles for numerous publications. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.

He developed “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:

·         Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

·         Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange

·         Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University

·         Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York

·         Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. www.vincentbove.com

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  Vincent J Bove

Photos:

1a. Collage from Aug. 5, 2024 visit to the gravesite of FDR.

1b. Section of published work for The Chief of Police.

1. The Cadet Honor Code memorial at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, Jan. 1, 2006. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Abraham Lincoln portrait, seated and holding his spectacles and a pencil, Feb. 5, 1865, about 2 months before his death. (Alexander Gardner / public domain)

3. General Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses American paratroopers prior to D-Day. His order of the Day. 'Full victory-nothing less' to paratroopers in England, just before they board their airplanes to participate in the first assault in the invasion of the continent of Europe. Eisenhower is meeting with US Co. E, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (Strike) of the 101st Airborne Division, photo taken at Greenham Common Airfield in England about 8:30 p.m. on June 5, 1944. The General was talking about fly fishing with his men as he always did before a stressful operation. (Unknown U.S. Army photographer / public domain)

4. Cadets changing class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. (Vincent J. Bove)

5. Headshot Vincent and Yiyi Bove, FDR bedroom, Aug. 5, 2024. (Reawakening America LLC)

Secret Service Scandals: Review, Resolve, Renew (Spotlight of 2015 Published Work)

On March 27, 2015, my article Secret Service Scandals: Review, Resolve, Renew, was published in the Epoch Times and The Sentinel.

Subsequently, it was also published as a chapter in my book Reawakening America.

Due to the extensive coverage of the assassination attempt of a presidential candidate on July 13, 2024, the article deserves review.

In my opinion, the issues memorialized in these 2015 publications foreshadowed the crisis the agency is now experiencing. 

Irrefutably, there was heroism on that day with agents who risked their lives in faithfulness to their oath to protect and serve. 

There was also a tragic loss of the innocent life of Corey Comperatore, a dedicated father and husband, who protected his family. His devotion to family must be forever remembered.  

Criticisms and the Call for Transformation

Criticisms of security deficiencies, many of which will prove to be warranted, will continue.

I will reserve my own personal analysis when official reports are released. For reports to have credibility, they must be independent, non-political, and formulated by third-parties.  

The heart my 2015 article, which spotlighted the following, deserves attention.  It was written in 2015 to memorialize that unfolding events were set in stone years ago that would guarantee failure if not corrected. Additionally, the wrong person at the top will always compound any crisis.

The article was written to ignite the positive, and to build on it as America needs the United States Secret Service to succeed.

If only the agency would have heeded the message, noted in the following summary of the article:

• The dignified vision and mission statement of the agency
• The honest assessment of the agency’s scandals and leadership crisis at the time
• The encouragement of, and call to renewal of this distinguished agency (as with all American law enforcement) remains my focus.

The United States Secret Service is vital to America. 

The call for transformation, on the pillars of leadership, vigilance and collaboration, is the reason we step-back so that we may step-forward.

March 27, 2015 Published Article

The professionalism of dedicated Secret Service agents since 1865 is deserving of recognition, respect, and appreciation.

It is important to accentuate their service to America by understanding the vision and mission of the agency:

VISION STATEMENT: The vision of the United States Secret Service is to uphold the tradition of excellence in its investigative and protective mission through a dedicated, highly trained, diverse, partner-oriented workforce that employs progressive technology and promotes professionalism.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Secret Service is to ensure the security of our President, our Vice President, their families, the White House, the Vice President’s Residence, national and visiting world leaders, former Presidents, and events of national significance. The Secret Service also protects the integrity of our currency and investigates crimes against our national financial system committed by criminals around the world and in cyberspace.

Transparency, Accountability, Commitment

But recently, this once-proud agency has been blistered with numerous scandals.

Transparency, accountability, and commitment must be front and center for the agency’s renewal.

America needs the Secret Service and we must appreciate all who proudly honor their commitment to its vision and mission.

The dignity of this renowned agency demands transformation and refusal from all within its ranks to accept deviance, deficiencies, and dysfunction.

The fact is that agents are human beings and like all of us are capable of either meritorious actions or shameful behavior.

But because the Secret Service is responsible for safeguarding lives, property, and critical information—as well as preserving the morale of the nation—mediocrity and distractions from duty can be devastating.

The Secret Service mission deserves world-class on-going training, certifications, discerning recruitment, continual performance reviews, and, when necessary, counseling, reassignments, suspensions, and terminations.

The mission of all law enforcement, especially one as critical as the Secret Service—responsible for protecting the president—cannot be undermined by mediocrity, superficiality, incompetence, or apathy.

Honor, leadership, ethics, and character must be the hallmarks of the agency and these virtues deserve unwavering perseverance.

Recent Secret Service Scandals—A Partial List

Renewal of the agency will take place when recent scandals—including these in published reports—are honestly addressed and remedied:

• June–August 2011: Agents responsible for protecting the White House are pulled from their posts to protect the home of a friend of agency director Mark Sullivan.

• November 2011: Several bullets hit the White House but an inferior Secret Service investigation fails to uncover it until four days later when the marks were noticed by a housekeeper.

• April 23, 2012: About a dozen agents are sent home from Colombia after a scandal of their involvement with prostitutes.

• May 2013: An agency supervisor tries to re-enter a woman’s room after mistakenly leaving a bullet there.

• March 23, 2014: After being found passed out by intoxication in a hotel hallway during a presidential trip, three agents are sent home from the Netherlands.

• Sept. 16, 2014: An armed security guard violates agency protocol by being in the same elevator with the president.

• Sept. 19, 2014: A knife-wielding man climbs the White House fence, enters the mansion, and has access to the bottom floor before being apprehended.

• Oct. 29, 2014: The agency’s investigator of the Colombia prostitution scandal is forced to resign after his arrest regarding prostitution in Florida.

• Jan. 13, 2015: Four assistant agency directors were fired, with the option of retiring or reassignment.

• March 4, 2015: After drinking at a party, two senior agents run into a White House security barrier, passing through security tape of an active bomb investigation.

Renewal Without Excuses

In my numerous keynotes for the FBI and law enforcement officials, the human deficiencies that can distract us from our mission are honestly addressed. As counterpoint to these weaknesses; character, ethics, leadership, and moral courage are always stressed as the pillars of patriotic and personal responsibility.

Dysfunctional alcohol, prostitution, incompetence, or apathy issues deserve swift accountability.  Coverups, excuses, or enabling are unacceptable.

The good name of the Secret Service will be restored when leadership is the foundation, and a renewed commitment must begin immediately.

The renewal is critical, not only to the vision and mission of the agency, but to America.

Before we conclude, let us memorialize and pay tribute to a hero who gave his life to protect his family on July 13, 2024:

Corey Comperatore Obituary: Tribute To A Hero

"Corey D. Comperatore, aged 50, of Sarver, passed away on Saturday, July 13th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and courage.

"Born on June 16, 1974, in Natrona Heights, PA, he was the son of Karen Bird and the late Carl L. Comperatore.

"Corey was a proud graduate of Freeport High School, class of 1992, and went on to honor his country as a dedicated 10-year veteran of the US Army Reserves. His commitment to excellence continued in his professional life where he excelled as a project and tooling engineer at JSP. Corey's passion for his community shone brightly through his active membership at the Cabot Church and his lifelong service at the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department, where he notably served as chief in the early 2000s.

"But above all, Corey was the quintessential family man and the best girl dad. His love for his wife Helen (Scott) Comperatore was a testament to the power of partnership and devotion. Together, they raised two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee Comperatore, who will carry forward his spirit of compassion. Also surviving are his mother, Karen (Denny)  Bird, his sisters, Kelly (Doug) Meeder and Dawn Comperatore Shaffer, his stepbrother, Steven (Megan) Warheit, his two beloved Dobermans, Ivan and Negan, and many nieces, nephews and great nieces.

"Corey's life was a reflection of his faith. He was a man of God who loved Jesus with every fiber of his being. His actions were guided by his unwavering belief, and he inspired those around him to live with purpose and grace. His ability to lift the spirits of everyone he encountered was unparalleled."  Complete Official Obituary

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author. He authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police, and 300 additional articles for numerous publications. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.