I never served in the military. I didn’t want to in those years of social upheaval. My draft number during the Vietnam War was 271. Now, I can only imagine the commitment, self-sacrifice, and bravery our country’s veterans must have had to preserve our way of life. Today, our armed forces continue the tradition.
On Memorial Day we will pause to remember those who served; who sacrificed; who died; for our country; for our freedom. It is a “day of remembrance”.
According to Wikipedia this history of remembrance goes back 155 years:
In 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic called for a "Decoration Day", which was widely celebrated. By 1890, every Northern state had adopted it as a holiday. The World Wars turned it into a generalized day of remembrance, instead of just for the Civil War.
The struggle for our freedom continues. We Americans must address many difficulties. This is nothing new. What “weapons” will we use?
David Major is Course Director for Senior Enlisted Blended Seminar Program for Marine Corps University. He teaches a leadership class, Law of War and Profession of Arms at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. In David’s class one of the leaders cited is General Charles C. Krulak:
The military has a tradition of producing great leaders that possess the highest ethical standards and integrity. It produces men and women of character.
Were those the “weapons” you were thinking of? Ethical standards; integrity; character?
It’s easy to turn our media-fueled attention towards our country’s leaders. It’s easy to criticize the behaviors we’re seeing from our elected officials. Before going too far down that path though, General Krulak offers additional guidance:
Based on (character), we commit to doing what is right. We expect such commitment from our leaders. But most importantly, we must demand it of ourselves.
Character; integrity; ethical standards; doing what is right; these are the weapons we all must use to protect our freedom. David Major goes on:
Ethical decision-making reflects a cognitive process by which one makes decisions based on value judgements. While influences such as culture, upbringing, religion, nationality, and organizational culture can shape our ethics, ultimately, values-based decision-making is often a matter of personal choice.
Ahh, adding-in value-based decision-making and personal choice. Combine those with integrity and we increase the power to protect America’s freedom. Back to General Krulak:
My challenge to you is simple but often very difficult… wear your armor of integrity… find comfort in its protection… do not become lax. And always remember that no one can take your integrity from you… you and only you can give it away!
Each of us. It’s our choice. Only in America can cultures of diversity live together united. Truly, we have our differences and there is plenty of strife. Americans have much work to do in the pursuit of a more perfect union:
In every community, there is
work to be done.
In every nation, there are
wounds to heal.
In every heart, there is the
power to do it.
Marianne Williamson
On Memorial Day let’s remember. Let’s pause our work to honor the men and women of our military; especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice:
Yes Marianne, “In every heart, there is the power to do it!”
GAP
When
life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and
share the power of a positive perspective.
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