Walking through Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery on
Memorial Day weekend is a stark reminder of the Operational Risk
Management challenges we have faced these past 19+ years. One example
can be found in the budget at the Pentagon, on how to defeat the IED.
Billions of dollars are devoted to the strategies and tactics to keep U.S. "boots on the ground" on foreign lands from becoming KIA, an amputee or another invisible wound such as Traumatic Brain Injury or Post Traumatic Stress.
Regardless of the dollars devoted, many grave markers in Section 60 have birth dates in the 1980's and 1990's. Standing there remembering Neil, a tear rolled down a cheek and the wind quickly blew it away...
Simultaneously, we must thank all of the other "Operational Risk Management" subject matter experts. The "Quiet Professionals" who operate everyday in the shadows. We hope that their decisions will continue to be the right ones. They live each day with the burden of managing risk decisions, that could send another U.S. patriot on their way to Section 60 or a remembrance "Star" on the wall at Langley.
Whether you are a Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Family or Friend, this Federal Holiday is your day of memorial to your loved one(s).
Some would say that our country is currently at a degree of War. Even though there is no official written declaration, that has been written and published to the world.
Yet, these three words, in this order, and in that continuous "Chain," means everything to those who have served and will serve our United States.
> Understand.
> Decide.
> Act.
Until the day, that all our military and all of our true "First Responders" decide, that America is no longer worth fighting for, these three words will consume them.
Thank you for being there...
Billions of dollars are devoted to the strategies and tactics to keep U.S. "boots on the ground" on foreign lands from becoming KIA, an amputee or another invisible wound such as Traumatic Brain Injury or Post Traumatic Stress.
Regardless of the dollars devoted, many grave markers in Section 60 have birth dates in the 1980's and 1990's. Standing there remembering Neil, a tear rolled down a cheek and the wind quickly blew it away...
"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May.[1] Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.[2] Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service[3]."If you are currently in the military we will thank you for your courage of service on Veterans Day, as we have before. This day however, is for those in the U.S. forces who have died while serving.
Simultaneously, we must thank all of the other "Operational Risk Management" subject matter experts. The "Quiet Professionals" who operate everyday in the shadows. We hope that their decisions will continue to be the right ones. They live each day with the burden of managing risk decisions, that could send another U.S. patriot on their way to Section 60 or a remembrance "Star" on the wall at Langley.
Whether you are a Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Family or Friend, this Federal Holiday is your day of memorial to your loved one(s).
Some would say that our country is currently at a degree of War. Even though there is no official written declaration, that has been written and published to the world.
Yet, these three words, in this order, and in that continuous "Chain," means everything to those who have served and will serve our United States.
> Understand.
> Decide.
> Act.
Until the day, that all our military and all of our true "First Responders" decide, that America is no longer worth fighting for, these three words will consume them.
Thank you for being there...
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