Tag Archives: Veteran

General Safety Issues

MORE DISTURBING NEWS ON DISTRACTED DRIVING

It seems there just can’t be enough discussed about the importance of stopping the use of cell phones while driving.  The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently published an article with this byline: “He survived Iraq but was killed by a distracted driver.”   

Javier Zamora, who served in Iraq as a helicopter door gunner and lived to tell about it, was killed after returning to the United States by a driver fumbling with a cell phone.  He lost his life in 2007 in Southern California, when his car was struck head-on by one driven by a woman who was reaching between the seats for her phone.  This Thursday, his wife, Jennifer Zamora, will relate the family’s story during a Texas Distracted Driving Summit in San Antonio.  Ray LaHood, Transportation Secretary, is scheduled to speak, and experts will talk about scientific studies on distracted driving and what politicians and phone and auto manufacturers are doing to curb it. 

Ms. Zamora, who is a Lockheed Martin air traffic controller at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, will serve on a panel of survivors who will discuss what it is like to live with the loss of a loved one – caused by a preventable accident.  USAA, a Texas-based military financial services provider, the Department of Transportation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children are presenting the summit.  In addition to LaHood’s appearance and testimony from survivors of crash victims, experts will take part in panel discussions about the latest technologies, corporate policies on mobile devices and public officials’ willingness to forge change. 

For Javier Zamora, it’s too late.  He was a “Mr. Mom” to their three children, and Jennifer’s daughter by a previous marriage.  According to his wife, he was their foundation.  He handled a more domestic role, seeing that the kids ate properly, wore nice clothes and did their schoolwork.  He served his country, yet was taken in his prime by a preventable accident.  

There are still about 54 per cent of motorists that believe that their driving ability is unchanged while they talk on the phone.  Even if one has all the hands-free devices in the world, it remains possible that just concentrating on the conversation takes away from paying attention to the road.   We continue to observe National Distracted Driving Awareness Month throughout this month, and should persist in doing so every day.  The Texas Transportation Department bought radio spots and billboard space for ads with the slogan: “Talk. Text. Crash.” 

Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

General Safety Issues

EVERY DAY SHOULD BE MEMORIAL DAY

The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began before the end of the Civil War, but the national Memorial Day holiday (or “Decoration Day,” as it was originally named) was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. As time passed, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service to the nation, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.

This year Memorial Day was on Monday, May 31st.  The Memorial Day Holiday usually ushers in the beginning of summer vacations.  As we look forward to activities with family and friends, we should never fail to think of all those who have served our country.

Every day should be Memorial Day.  More than 260,000 persons who served our country are buried at Arlington Cemetery, officially designated as a military cemetery by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, June 15, 1864.  There are also four courts that hold up to 5,000 niches each for cremated remains of military personnel.

The Tomb of the Unknowns holds three unidentified soldiers – a World War I soldier interred in 1921, World War II soldier interred in 1958, and a soldier from the Korean Conflict also interred in 1958.  In 1984, a soldier from the Viet Nam War was interred there; however his remains were disinterred in 1998, and identified and buried near his home.  That tomb will remain empty.  The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) began sentry of the Tomb of the Unknowns April 6, 1948, 24 hours per day, 365 days per week.

We salute all the veterans who have served our country in past wars, and those men and women who bravely serve us today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.  Thanks to them, we can celebrate our freedom and safety every day.

Uncategorized

A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON – VETERAN’S DAY

Wednesday, November 11 will be Veterans Day.  We aren’t history teachers, yet we want to share some information about this important observance.  Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set aside as a day to honor the military servicemen who fought so valiantly in World War I.  Here is part of a resolution made by Congress on June 4, 1926:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;”

At the time this was written, WWI was called “the end of the war to end all wars”.  In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day a legal holiday.  Then World War II was declared, which required the greatest mobilization of military in our history.  Next, we entered the Korean War.  The name was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day in order to honor veterans of all wars we have been engaged in.  Since then, we have been engaged in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Veterans Day focuses attention to its important purpose: a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Our forefathers who wrote the above quote from 1926 had no idea what the future would bring.  They only thought WWI was the Big One.  We are a great nation and we need to look back on those words and try to follow their hopes for us.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have fought so courageously.  Let’s hope someday, somehow they will be able to serve our country in a safer, more peaceful world.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

Uncategorized

EVERY DAY IS MEMORIAL DAY

The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began before the end of the Civil War, but the national Memorial Day holiday (or “Decoration Day,” as it was originally named) was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. As time passed, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service to the nation, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.

Every day should be Memorial Day.  More than 260,000 persons who served our country are buried at Arlington Cemetery, officially designated as a military cemetery by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, June 15, 1864.  There are also four courts that hold up to 5,000 niches each for cremated remains of military personnel.

The Tomb of the Unknowns holds three unidentified soldiers – a World War I soldier interred in 1921, World War II soldier interred in 1958, and a soldier from the Korean Conflict also interred in 1958.  In 1984, a soldier from the Viet Nam War was interred there; however his remains were disinterred in 1998, and identified and buried near his home.  That tomb will remain empty.  The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) began sentry of the Tomb of the Unknowns April 6, 1948, 24 hours per day, 365 days per week.

We salute all the veterans who have served our country in past wars, and those men and women who bravely serve us today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.  Thanks to them, we can celebrate our freedom and safety every day.