WHAT IS COMRADESHIP?

by Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander

Many times we are confused by what this term means in the DAV. I have previously mentioned that we should all be as a family. We should be concerned about and care for each other because we are all members of this great Department and National Organization. However the local chapter is where the care for our members and their families occurs.

The Officers of the Chapter are responsible to carry out this care. As presented by each Installing Officer to each newly elected or appointed officer "I charge you to be earnest, faithful and devoted, and to remember that our mission as a Disabled American Veterans organization is not fulfilled until all our country's war-time disabled, their dependents and survivors, have been adequately cared for."

But, the officers cannot do the job alone. Each chapter member should be fostering an atmosphere of tolerance, respect and encouragement to each of their members in order to promote camaraderie (comradeship). In the obligation of New Members, all of us were charged with (5th purpose of our organization) "'To apply the principals of comradeship, loyalty and devotion among all disabled American veterans and their spouses, their orphans and their dependents". It is the responsibility of ALL members to assure that their chapter reflects the higher purposes to which all of us have been called.

Our organization is unique. We are the only Congressionally Chartered Veterans Organization to be exclusively committed and devoted to all disabled American veterans and their dependents. As such, we have a fitial (i.e.: under obligation or authority) responsibility to conduct ourselves and maintain decorum in all or meetings which will both foster and promote participation. I am reminded of the DAV Ritual for a Veterans Day ceremony which states "...we rededicate ourselves to the preservation and strengthening of those feelings of comradeship which still bind the airmen, soldiers, sailors and marines who fought shoulder to shoulder in behalf of our beloved country. Their self-sacrifices will be forever inscribed on the brightest pages of American history."..."Many are the hearts which are heavy with sorrow for the thousands still suffering from wounds and disease incurred in that great struggle; for them there is no Armistice; for them the War will never end."

Whether great or small, all of us bear the burden of injuries incurred or aggravated during our service to our country. Some suffer greatly. It is our duty not only to be kind, but to be understanding of each of our members.

During the closing of each meeting, the Commander should be reading the closing charge from the DAV Official Ritual: "...let us always be mindful of the principals of for which this organization stands: Comradeship; Friendship; Loyalty to principle and our Comrades; Devotion to our cause. And let it be our motto: IF I CANNOT SPEAK GOOD OF MY COMRADE, I WILL NOT SPEAK ILL OF HIM OR HER." I would encourage all Chapter Commanders to not only assure this is read at every meeting (as it may be left out when following the Order of Business guide only) and even consider reading it at the start of each meeting in order to remind us all not to be unkind to those in attendance. Simply put, use the Golden Rule: DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.

I will leave with you one definition of the word comrade to ponder. "a person who shares one's interests or activities; friend; companion, or; a fellow member of a group. The origin of the word is from an Old French word 'camarade' (meaning: roommate). We all have at one time lived together, worked together and sometimes fought together while serving to defend our Nation from our enemies and preserve the Principles of Freedom and Democracy for all future generations. We can do no less in our deliberations now.

What is comradeship? It is merely the practice of being a comrade.

When problems arise in a chapter, it usually can be traced (at least in part) to a failure to follow this principle of comradeship. I encourage all of you to be vigilant and understanding and by doing so you will promote the good order, welfare and discipline necessary to have your Chapter be an organization each member will be not only proud to be a member of, but willing to attend chapter meetings and participate in chapter activities.

Verbum sapienti sat est. (from the Latin: 'A word to the wise is sufficient')

SYMBOLS OF PATRIOTISM

by Sidney Siller, Sr., PDC, Department Adjutant

There is an unpleasant dissident voice in our country, in this instance it has to do with the inherit value of building memorials and maintaining them.

In the city of New York, there is a visceral and legal contest over the State's take over of the venerated 7th Regiment Armory. The Armory is a five story, 180,000 square foot edifice, which is the crowned jewel among 120 historic armories built between the late 18th and early 20th centuries across New York.

The 7th Regiment Armory went up between 1877 and 1881 with $120,000 in private fund from the National Guardsmen who were known as the "silk stocking regiment." The armory occupies an entire city block along Park Avenue, between 66th and 67th streets in Manhattan.

After it's completion, a community fair was held in the 56,000 square foot drill floor to raise money for it's furnishings. The armory's Veteran's Room has a stained glass window listing 10 Medal of Honor Recipients (six from the Civil War and four from WWI). Exquisite ceiling panels, blue-glass fireplace tiles, ornate woodwork and wrought iron chandeliers by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and displays of uniforms and swords of the National Guard going back to the early 19th century. It is a room steeped in history, art and memorabilia. It is just one room of many, containing antiques, art and furniture valued over 10 million dollars.

In 2004, Governor George Pataki signed a law giving the state power over the armory. There are legal disputes over the ownership of the armory and it's contents by the veterans of the regiment's lineage. The state has evicted the veteran's of the armory. Veterans argue that their case hinges on history, morality and military law.

The 2004 New York Law enabled the state to use a type of eminent domain to control the armory.

Another issue that has surfaced is that it becomes difficult to raise money for new memorials such as our Disabled for Life Memorial that DAV is well along in completing. Many individuals are contending that available funds should go to the living disabled veterans, and that there are more than enough monuments in the country,

I thoroughly disagree with what's happening with the 7th Regiment Armory and the negative attitudes towards patriotic monuments and memorials.

Shortly after my election as Department Commander in June, 1956, my good friend and mentor PDC Jimmy Schneider invited me to have dinner at the 7th Regiment Armory. Jimmy Schneider, an amputee from WWI had enlisted at 13 years of age, and was a machine gunner, who was one of the great heroes of the Argonne. He was an inspiration to me as it was my privilege to know him and to have the armory experience opened to me.

It is without question, that those of us who have seen the Vietnam Memorial; the WWII Memorial and the 7th Regiment Armory realize how intrinsically valuable it is to have institutional reminders of our historic patriotic heritage. Our fellow citizens must be conscious of the high value of freedom, and monuments and memorials fulfill this aim.

*Please see the May 2007 issue of the American Legion Magazine for the complete article about the 7th Regiment's Armories takeover by New York State.

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