As of this writing, it is unknown why. We may never know. For whatever the gunmen's reason, he seemed to be acting in the fashion of our time. Violence. So many times, we see the same thing, violence to publicize dissatisfaction with someone or something. Wether it be the cost of gas, a government policy or unhappiness with the way a person looked at you. We see violence.
The shooter, in this case was a former Naval Reservist. He had served in the Navy for several years. He was supposed to serve the Nation. His watch words were supposed to reflect the Core Values of the Department of the Navy. Honor, Courage, Commitment.
I have long maintained that those in our society who truly understand the meaning of those words, do not need to receive special training to live up to their meaning.
We must get back to the idea that we all, as citizens of the world live for something larger than ourselves. If we are disheartened, frustrated or just plain unhappy with the hand life has provided us, rather than resort to violence, we deal with it in an acceptable manner. We work to make a better world for ourselves and our children.
Examine closely, the picture above.
The Gentleman in the middle is Roy Hawthorne, Navajo Code Talker, USMC. He is seen here walking the last half mile of a 2 mile parade route, with the help of two Navajo Marines. (To read a short story about Roy and the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, see my Facebook page.
The scene played out in this photograph exemplifies the spirit of America. "Home of the Brave". Please note that I used Mr. Hawthorne's name here. I have not used the name of the Navy Yard shooter. The shooter perpetrated a cowardly act of violence against unarmed civilians for some unknown reason. This was an act of terrorism. It will be remembered as such. But no act of terrorism has ever succeeded in gaining it's objective. Terrorism has a 100 percent failure rate. I will not immortalize a mad man by using his name here.
The brave Marines pictured above are the embodiment of success through adversity. Roy Hawthorne succeeded in the saving of countless lives in the Pacific Theater during World War II. When faced with a threat to his freedom and the freedom of his country, he and hundreds of thousands of this country's youth faced that threat not by attacking some government building or installation. They served the cause that was greater then themselves.
The Code talkers faught so that others may live in freedom even after this country had treated the Native Peoples of this continent unfairly. Roy Hawthorne did not need to receive special training to understand what Honor, Courage and Commitment meant. He learned the meaning of those words each and every day of his life. He still embodies the meaning of those core values.
Note the two Marines helping Mr. Hawthorne complete the two mile parade. Both are modern day Marines, also Navajo. They are the heirs of the commitment forged in the blood of those who went before. It was their honor to assist their brother Marine. They too are living examples of those core values.
So, I will not remember the name of the coward who killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard today. I will remember the picture of a hero I saw on my Facebook News Feed this day.
Honor the fallen by remembering the heroes among us, not the cowards. Instead of showing our children pictures of the chaos at the Navy Yard today, Maybe we should concentrate on showing them the heroes who always think of others and serve a cause that is bigger than any one person.
To Mr. Roy Hawthorne, Navajo Code Talker, USMC and all the code talkers, for their service and so much more. My most heartfelt thanks. Semper Fidelis Marine.
Thanks to my friend, Tom Coffey for posting the picture via "Seal of Honor".
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