Duty Remembered

[onepingonly]

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who paid the final measure to keep our country safe and our world free. Those who occupy the office of Administrative Law Judge are privileged to administer the blessings of the nation others shed blood to keep free.

Whenever this task may seem overly onerous, we might consider the soldiers who set up courts on the muddy battlefield with nothing but a folding desk and a pen, to decide the fate of accused deserters, on penalty of death. With a tent for a courthouse and a boot for a gavel, their dignity, integrity, and resolve were their only judicial trappings. Were these not “real” judges?

This Memorial Day, and every day, countless Americans across the country are longing for the chance to work, even to work long and hard hours at unglorious jobs, simply to put food on the table and a roof over their family’s head. This includes veterans who served honorably and now are homeless. Who will look them in the eye and say, “My job pays well, provides many benefits, involves humane work hours, affords many holidays, and bestows pomp and circumstance on me, but I feel compelled to loudly protest its petty annoyances”?

This Memorial Day, I wish to extend my gratitude to those who served, to those who serve now, to those who have sacrificed mightily, and to their families. You have given America the freedoms which an ALJ is honored to safeguard, in ways large and small. I hope to live up to your uncomplaining example, through diligence, patience, and perseverance.

In fairness to the public we serve, let us strive to discharge our sworn duty with honest effort, with humility, gratitude, grit, tenacity, and good humor. In offering advice to the eager applicant, let us not squash their much-needed enthusiasm with undue cynicism. In respect for our peers, let us keep our criticism civil and measured.

And in honor of those who gave all, let us pledge to give much. We owe it to them.

Welcome, new judges, and good luck to all applicants!

[ALJD]

Well said!

[decadealj]

28 years ago, I was a military judge trying an arson and aggravated assault case in a GP tent in Unchon, Korea, about 1,000 meters South of the DMZ in a ROK Marine outpost. It was 20 degrees below zero- the tape recorder sat on top of a piece of cinder block on top of an oil heated stove to keep from freezing. The trial lasted about 10 hours with the logistics of being in a rock covered tree-barren field of ice. When I thought about how miserable it all was, I thought back to the First Marine Division assault in another dirction at the Chosin Reservoir in December, 1950, fighting their way though 9 Chinese Divisions. We had it pretty good in comparison. For those of you who get HBO, the last 5 parts of the PACIFIC are on today- its gut wrenching stuff- not for the faint of heart. Lest we forget!

[onepingonly]

Thanks for this entry, Decade. It puts it all in perspective.

[arlene25]

Amen.

[privateatty]

We are on our way out but I just heard the Vice President give his remarks at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

He talked about the deep love that the men and women on the battlefield have for each other. It is all about love this "last, full measure of devotion." It is love as profound as there is.

Although it was 39 years ago for me I will forever carry the resonance of that love in my veins. Once you have held your dying brother in your arms you will never forget it. My feelings come from a deep place and is sadly an emotion I share with my father.

And to think we now honor that love renewed such a short while ago....

[Orly]

God bless the USA!

[ohaer]

OnePingOnly: I'm not sure you even needed one ping. Sounds to me like you nailed it strictly in passive mode. I doubt seriously your CO would ever have had to have any reservations for you to go weapons free.

You are obviously a scholar and a gentleman, of which there are few left. Thank you for your service. Hang in there and never forget: Pride Runs Deep.

[maxlaw]

Thanks so much for this; it's good to see the sea services standing proud. I probably shouldn't say this, but I can't help but notice that this thread has only been viewed (as I write this) 340 times, which is a pittance compared to most. Still, I am grateful for those who are able to find the time to remember those who served and sacrificed.

[onepingonly]

Ohaer and Maxlaw: Thank you very much for your generous comments, and moreover, for your service. Truly, it shall not be forgotten.

[husbandof]

Decade, thanks for jogging my memory with your citation of Chosin Reservoir.

36 years ago, I was commissioned in the Royal Marines and after training my first post was 41 Commando. This unit was the rear guard during tactical withdrawal (we never retreat) of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign and lost many troops. The Commando Unit was probably unique in that throughout its 18 months history it operated exclusively under the command of the United States Navy and Marines. Events of the Korean War considerably enhanced the comradeship, admiration and mutual respect between the US Marines and Royal Marines. This was illustrated by the dogged persistence of the USMC to have American regulations amended to allow 41 Commando to be uniquely awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation. 41 was disbanded in 1981. (enough history lesson)

There were a few Chosin veterans still serving in 1974 and although proud of the achievement, they would speak little of the experience - which speaks volumes with silence.

As 6th generation military, with a nephew recently commissoned as a 2Lt in The Royal Welsh Regiment (Princess Diana's Own), it was a moving experince to visit Fort McHenry on this Memorial Day with my wife (the newbie ALJ) and listen to the traditional poems including Hara's The Bivouac of the Dead

Yes indeed, "Lest we forget!" The lads and lassies are still putting themselves in harm's way to protect our free Nations.

[hod]

I remember from the perspective of a spouse, how long it was between communications from my navy guy. I rarely knew what was going on or exactly where he was. I spent days afraid to leave my house in fear that that would be the ONE TIME that he could get in touch with me. There were no cell phones, no computers and the mail man didn't pick up mail from a naval vessel at sea (he did apparently drop off mail though). Fast forward thirty some years and I waited for news from my two marines. It was amazing, they seemed to be in relatively constant contact except during periods of shut down (usually due to a death in the group-that needed to be repectfully conveyed before e-mails broke the news). The fact that there was so much communication was sometimes even more anxiety producing, I spent a lot of time flicking on my e-mail and wondering if silence meant anything. It's a different war; a different time, but those who love those who serve still live day by day in faith, prayer and hope. God Bless all of you who served or serve and all of you who keep the faith and pray for safe journeys home.

[onepingonly]

Beautifully put, Hod. Many safe returns.

[decadealj]

husbandof- the bond between the Royal Marines and "us" will never be broken. As you so eloquently put it, we have bled together since the beginning of our history. And HOD- rest assured your Marines are still with the finest brotherhood known to man. A couple of years back, I visted with some young men from my old outfit, 3rd Bn, 5th Marines. They had just returned from their 3rd tour in Iraq and were looking forward to #4. The battalion had suffered almost as many casualties as in the battle for Hue during Tet of '68- they never change. John Basilone would be very happy with them.

[hod]

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that the "brotherhood" has sisters. One of my marines is a woman. :-)

[decadealj]

mea culpa- she is surrounded by the finest male and female warrior organization on the planet (with deference to all Royal Marines, Rangers, SEALS, Green Berets , and all other Special Ops men and women whose mission often keeps them out of the spotlight and poublic recognition). Now I better shut-up before I inadvertenly neglect to salute all who are serving or have served.

[hod]

And you do know I was teasing, decadealj. :-) I still get a kick out of when she answers her phone and says "Jane Doe speaking, how can I help you, sir or m'am. We have come a long way baby! But even I have a difficult time with years of referring to "his, he, him" and now having to remember to say, "he/she" etc. But I guess it is not as bad as other languages where one has to remeber whether the dang noun of any type is a boy or a girl! C'est la vie!