Once we get Halloween behind us, we are entering into the true holiday season of the year. Most people look forward to and relish the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Thanksgiving not only affords the longest stretch of legal holidays in conjunction with regular days off during the year, but it allows families to come together from near and far to reconnect and bond. More so than the single day off for Christmas, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend will see more grandparents, parents, children, nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends reconnecting after long absences. Thanksgiving is truly a great American holiday.
Even though I have given Thanksgiving it's due as a unique American holiday, I believe that the holiday in November that should be most recognized is Veterans Day, November 11th. If it were not for those who served and sacrificed for our country, there would not be a Thanksgiving holiday at all.
It was at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, in the 11th month of 1918 that marked the armistice. After the signing of the Treaty Of Versailles in June 1919, World War I -- also known as the Great War-- officially ended. At that time, it was labeled and portrayed as the "War to end all wars." Sadly, that dream was shattered in 1939 when World War II broke out in Europe.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. It was seven years after World War I that the United States Congress requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue a proclamation to observe November 11th with appropriate ceremonies. It was not until 1938 that a Congressional Act made the 11th of November of each year a legal holiday known as Armistice Day. After this country was plunged into World War II and with the enormous loss of life of our men and women in uniform it was a veteran of this war that led the charge to rename this holiday to honor all Veterans. With full support of President Dwight Eisenhower (also a veteran and Supreme Allied Commander of the European theater), Congress amended this act in 1954 and Armistice was replaced with Veterans.
Veterans Day should not be confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all Unites States military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who have fallen while serving and defending our nation.
Those who have served and those who continue to serve need to be recognized for their commitment and dedication to what we hold dear in this country. Also, in my opinion, that is equally true with cops who have served and are currently serving. Many active and retired law enforcement officers went directly from their service in the armed forces to public safety service. As we continue to receive the awful news of our soldiers killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan, we also hear the sad reports of our fellow brothers and sisters in public safety (police officers and firefighters) making the ultimate sacrifice while protecting us on the home front. Having been in this arena for a quarter century now, I know that those who enter this profession, and who will enter into this profession, do it for the good of others and not for the good of themselves. The same holds true for our veterans.
I have asked Editor Ray Shine to start a new monthly feature in the POA Journal remembering and honoring those in our own department that made the ultimate price for the citizens of this great city. Each issue of the Journal will remember those members who have fallen during that respective calendar month.
I hope and pray that there will never be another name added to this heroic list. There are 99 members on the Wall of Honor at the Hall of Justice, and each one has a story of duty, courage, and dedication. I have asked Past POA Presidents Gary Delagnes and Paul Chignell and others to author articles about some of these officers. I want our members to not only know how they died but, more importantly, how they lived and how they served our community. The first such article is about Officer Joseph Brodnik, who was murdered in the line of duty on May 1, 1969. That article is on Page 13 in this issue. I believe that members of the POA have many things for which to be thankful. I also know that we will face many challenges in the future. In the greater scheme of things many of our issues are trivial in comparison to the problems that face our veterans. During this month of thanksgiving we can certainly appreciate many of the blessings in our own lives but don't forget to thank a Veteran, as well.
Slainte!
