Happy Veteran’s Day 2022

Happy Veteran’s Day 2022

In the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in the year 1918, a temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. This date, November 11, 1918, was at that time, regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Originally proclaimed as Armistice Day, Americans commemorated with celebration and a brief suspension of business beginning in 1919.  On October 8, 1954, President Eisenhower signed the first Veteran’s Day Proclamation, officially changing Armistice Day to “Veteran’s Day”

Regardless of the day of the week on which it falls, Veteran’s Day continues to be observed on November 11.  In doing so, this preserves the historical significance of this date and the important purpose of Veterans Day—a celebration honoring America’s military veterans for their service, patriotism, duty to country, and self-sacrificing for the common good of the nation and mankind.

It is with this in mind that the National Naval Officers Association

salutes all who have served this great nation.

Happy Veteran’s Day 2022!

The United States Marine Corps 247th Birthday

The United States Marine Corps 247th Birthday

Born in Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, on 10 November 1775, two battalions of Marines were formed to be the soldiers of the sea, needed to protect what would become the United States of America.

For the next 247 years, the United States Marine Corps would distinguish itself as the foremost global fighting force, earning battle streamers from Montezuma to Tripoli to Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima, and from the Frozen Chosin to Hue City to Fallujah to Helmand Province and many other far off distant lands.

Whether Marines are striking fear in enemies worldwide or leading and aiding in humanitarian relief operations, Marines, with their warrior ethos, always stand ready to meet the nation’s security challenges head-on.

Marines— Leathernecks—Jarheads—Devil Dogs—Soldiers of the Sea, the National Naval Officers Association wishes our United States Marine Corps a Happy 247th Birthday.

Uncancelled – Nov 2022

Uncancelled – Nov 2022

We are very quick to cancel people. Even celebrities that died long ago are not safe. Cancel culture is nothing new. There is a story about a man named Zacchaeus who lived in a Palestinian city called Jericho around 30 C.E. Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector; the chief tax collector to be exact. The citizens perceived tax collectors as greedy, collaborators with the Roman government. Therefore, by Zacchaeus being a tax collector, he was helping to oppress his own people. He was a traitor, a literal sell-out! Therefore, the community cancelled him. Ironically, in Greek, Zacchaeus means “pure.”

Even though Zacchaeus had become very wealthy and wielded much power, he was still unfulfilled. He needed his community. One day, an influential religious leader came to town and served as a mediator between Zacchaeus and the community. He reminded both parties that Zacchaeus is still part of the family, regardless of what he had done.[1] As a result, Zacchaeus repented of his ways and offered to repair the wrong he had done to his people. The process of reconciliation had begun.

Being human is complicated. We all have the potential for great good and evil. At some point, we will all be the villain in somebody’s story, especially if you are in leadership. If we keep cancelling people at this present rate, who can stand? Instead cancelling people, we should be working on reconciliation. We can lovingly hold our family members accountable for their errors in judgement without excommunicating them. Afterall, does cancellation really help or does it create deeper resentments?

We will all be villains in somebody’s story; deservingly and undeservingly. I suggest when it comes to cancel culture, we treat others the way we want to be treated rather than how we think they should be treated.[2] Afterall, you could be next on the chopping block.

[1] Luke 19:9

[2] Matthew 7:12