Page 13 - November 2020

Recording Secretary’s Report
Thankful to be a veteran on Veterans Day and every day
On a beautiful night when the moon and stars were within arm’s reach, I sat and wondered when I could again eat a Maxwell Street polish or a Tay- lor Street sub. The year was 2004 and I was an ac- tive-duty U.S. Marine. I was on my first deployment and in Fallujah, Iraq, as an infantryman stationed out of Camp Pendleton, California. I wondered how such a scenic place could be a war-torn country. I thought how I was thousands of miles from home. If you ask me what Veterans Day is, I’ll answer it’s a childhood dream come true. It marks love and pride
for country and a family tradition of service. Ever since I can re- member — sound familiar? — I wanted to be a Marine. As a kid, I did the most pushups and sit-ups, climbed the gym rope to the top of the ceiling, and ran the fastest. The dream became reality.
On Veterans Day we celebrate all veterans who took the call and served in the U.S. armed forces. To some, it’s just anoth- er day, but to veterans, it’s much more than that. It brings back memories, good and bad. It’s a look back on how you lived as a servicemember, your training, duty station, and the places or countries you went. But most importantly, it’s a day to honor your battle buddies and fellow servicemembers. Thankfully, I have a group chat to keep in contact with some of my buddies that were in my platoon.
With this Veterans Day edition of the magazine, the military committee wanted to honor our members who served, with pictures of our members serving our nation as the goal. The pictures of service past and present tell a great story of sacrifice, courage, perseverance and dedication to our great country. The collage of photographs and statements in this issue celebrates and recognizes veterans from Lodge 7. It is an honor to be with this awesome group. I want to explain what veterans bring to the Chicago Police Department. Our veterans put the leader in leadership. From the moment you step into basic training, mil- itary members are shown how to lead. Veterans flourish in our police profession. Veterans take charge of any situation, task or assignment they are given. We are told to keep our military bearing and conduct ourselves in a courteous and professional manner. I have seen this countless times on the streets of Chi- cago. Veterans handle situations as carefully and strategically as possible.
The training in the military is extremely intense and repeti- tive, so it becomes muscle memory. Veterans on Chicago Police Department have valuable knowledge, expertise and training in many different fields, which is extremely helpful to the de- partment and fellow members. The different leadership schools each military branch has are a bonus to growing as a leader. The different and unique ways veterans help our city are priceless to the citizens of Chicago we are sworn to protect each day. The military also teaches that missions must be accomplished, no matter what. There is no losing, whether it is a small detail or a monumental objective. Veterans push forward through adversi- ty and find ways to win. This is embedded in the esprit de corps veterans have.
a veterans’ organization like the VFW or the American Legion donating time to charity and helping causes for veterans, from disabled veterans to military servicemembers and their fami- lies. Please donate your time or money to helping veterans. Vet- erans are still doing the right thing for the right reasons.
I was lucky enough to be around an older generation of vet- erans. When I mean older, I mean WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. I mentioned earlier it was in my family to serve and was a rite of passage. The WW2 veterans always told me about how they signed up early for the war, even when they were not of age. They believed in American values and getting the job done. They composed a no-nonsense group that carried America to its superpower status. Korean veterans told me they were cou- rageous and victorious in withstanding the enemy and the bit- ter cold weather. I was told by my family that Vietnam veterans were victorious in many battles, too, and treated unfairly when they returned to America. Generations of veterans understand this sacrifice of mind, body and spirit. The difference now is that fewer people have served in the military. According to the Cen- sus Bureau, in 2000 there were 26.4 million veterans in the U.S. In 2020, twenty years later, the Census Bureau reported 17.4 million veterans. That’s a big loss. A major portion of our veter- an population is gone.
Why is this important? For one thing, veterans from this na- tion are an intricate part of society and have seen the reality of other countries, their failed governments and how people live in certain countries. Veterans are leaders in every aspect of American life. Veterans know what’s entailed in keeping Ameri- ca safe and strong. This great perspective of veterans is crucial. Veterans are proud and patriotic and respect our Pledge of Alle- giance, anthem, and flag. What those symbols and words mean to veterans is what they cherish and love about America. Veter- ans get emotional when they stand at attention and salute the flag. They hear that beautiful anthem and have a sense of over- whelming pride and joy to have been part of something so spe- cial. That part is still the American way of life. Veterans are the reason this country is still here and still free. Do not forget that.
When people ask me what it means to be a veteran, here’s what I say.
It means the world to me that I could serve this country. My service has given me everything in this life. I am so grateful to be here today. Serving in the military was a remarkable experience. I carry the pride of military service with me each day.
The FOP Lodge 7 military committee thanks you and wishes a happy Veterans Day to our members, the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the rest of the country, as well as to overseas servicemembers defending us still.
Veterans, you have given and sacrificed so much to ensure freedom here and in many places.
God bless U.S. military veterans everywhere!
ROB NOCEDA
The altruistic mindset of veterans is shown each time you see
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