Foundational Fridays -- Memorial Day Meaning
Remember -- Reflect -- Respect

Foundational Fridays -- Memorial Day Meaning

This morning, I am putting in final preparations and practice on my comments being delivered this afternoon while I officiate the promotion of a former troop to full-bird Colonel. Seventeen years ago, I promoted this same person to Captain. It is amazing to see how much he has accomplished, and I'm once again honored to serve him in this manner.

As we pause to remember this coming Monday, Memorial Day 2024, and as I put on my Service Dress uniform for the first time in six months, it occurs to me this is the first Memorial Day in 30 years where I no longer where the cloth of America on Active Duty.

The torch of that service has been passed on to the next generation. Some of them will give their all, including breathing their last breath in service and sacrifice so my family and I can continue living a life of safety and security. A life free from fear and full of hope and promise. They are the bridge between our storied past and what I hope is a still surging future.

---

Memorial Day Musings -- 2021

Please do not wish me a "Happy Memorial Day".

While catching up on some work email this morning, an unsolicited request for me to endorse a "no cost" contract was in the inbox with "Happy Memorial Day Shawn". First, I don't sign or respond to unsolicited emails from people I do not know, especially at work. Second, there is nothing "happy" about Memorial Day.

Methinks this person, from a private company, wasn't mal-intended, but doesn't understand when addressing a senior military official, they should know the context and conditions that led to our Nation, I think rightly, setting this day aside. It is to honor, remember, reflect, and respect all those military members who gave their last full measure of devotion in defense of our liberties and freedoms.

Those souls who swore an oath to defend the Constitution of this Nation ... the greatest republic in human history. Many of you know this adage, they wrote a blank check to our citizenry; they paid it in full, with a measure of devotion I pray my other brothers and sisters in arms never have to pay.

Many of you know my career and my history. The names, faces, and stories of a couple thousand Americans are seared into my heart, head, and soul. Every single one gave their last full measure of devotion in service. I buried many of them. Too many of them.

I was responsible for ensuring nearly two thousand American sons and daughters that we lost in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Northern Africa during the height of wartime operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were returned home with dignity, honor, and respect. It was a solemn duty, and I was moved and motivated to get it done well.

Memorial Day isn't about lionizing our lost Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, or Coast Guardsmen; it is a day to simply say a prayer and offer our silent, solemn gratitude that such humans lived, and died, so that we may live free, safe, and secure. Provide well wishes to a veteran on Veteran's Day. Today, just say thank you to those we've lost and remember your freedom came at a price someone else paid.

Stephanie Colón, Ph. D.

Government and Healthcare Leader in Human Capital, Health IT, Medical Logistics, and Graduate Medical Education.

9 个月

This is spot on!

回复
Tamekia Payne

Visionary Leader/Organizational Strategist/Change Agent/Helping leaders lead well and get winning results/Developing Generational Mindsets/

9 个月

We actually discussed the term "happy memorial day" at work when someone who works Survivor Care closely reminded us all that for the person living with the void in their hearts and life, this could be a very hard time. Her point was well received as it caused me to think what I say to people during this holiday, especially now that I support Survivors.

回复

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Shawn Campbell的更多文章

  • Foundational Fridays -- Remembering Resilience

    Foundational Fridays -- Remembering Resilience

    Many months ago, I had the great opportunity to be on Travis Womack's "So There I Was..

    3 条评论
  • Monday Musings -- Born or Built?

    Monday Musings -- Born or Built?

    The question asked in the piece linked at the end of my notes here is one I've heard for many decades. Are leaders made…

    2 条评论
  • Leaders Are Readers -- February 2025

    Leaders Are Readers -- February 2025

    Readers and Leaders, I know this is the second time across the past three months where I have missed my self-imposed…

    4 条评论
  • Monday Musings -- Meaningful Mentorship

    Monday Musings -- Meaningful Mentorship

    Likely anyone reading this post has benefitted from having a mentor, or two, or more. Across the past several decades I…

    2 条评论
  • Foundational Fridays -- What Wins?

    Foundational Fridays -- What Wins?

    This post is not meant to drive the NBA "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) debate. I came of age in the Michael Jordan era…

    4 条评论
  • Monday Musings -- Taming Time

    Monday Musings -- Taming Time

    So much goodness here. I have shared over and again how I finally came to understand these exact things but later in my…

    2 条评论
  • Leaders Are Readers -- January 2025

    Leaders Are Readers -- January 2025

    APPLIED AI & ANALYTICS Aside from the normal hook WorkLife uses to draw attention to the piece titles, as we continue…

    4 条评论
  • Monday Musings -- Noontime Nap?

    Monday Musings -- Noontime Nap?

    During my second assignment to the Pentagon, I worked for the Assistant Secretary or the Air Force for Manpower and…

    12 条评论
  • Monday Musings -- Venerable Vulnerability

    Monday Musings -- Venerable Vulnerability

    Several things struck me reading the piece linked at the end of these comments. Being open-minded; giving myself…

  • Leaders Are Readers -- December 2024

    Leaders Are Readers -- December 2024

    APPLIED AI & ANALYTICS Hat tip to one of my Gartner teammates, Johnna Torsone, for sharing this month's first piece…

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了