We remember…

I never served in the military.  I was fearful.  I remember.  It was a time of social upheaval across the country.  It was the era of the Viet Nam War.  It was the last period when we had military conscription, aka “the draft”.  My draft number in 1971 was 271.  I remember. 

Today, I can only imagine the commitment, self-sacrifice, and bravery our country’s veterans must have had to preserve our way of life.  Thankfully members of our armed forces are continuing their commitment on our behalf. 

Monday, 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 156 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 battles for our freedom continues.  What are our “weapons” of choice? 

David Major, Course Director for Senior Enlisted Blended Seminar Program for Marine Corps University, taught a leadership class, Law of War and Profession of Arms at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.  One of the leaders he cites 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 we get too carried away 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 adds: 

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. 

“A matter of personal choice…”  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 

Memorial Day enables us to remember; to pause our work; to honor the men and women of our military; especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice: 

Then it’s back to work.  Hopefully, with character; integrity; ethical standards; using personal choice to do what’s right; leveraging value-based decision-making; and more… 

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.