Vigilance!

 

 

 

Vigilance 

We live in a free society.  Our freedom has been earned by those who have gone on before us.  In order to maintain our freedom, we must continue to think and act like a successful captor.  We must be vigilant!  To be vigilant is to be alert.  Alertness is the state of paying close and continuous attention.  Being curious is a good thing.  Maintaining a mental state of condition yellow or 360 degree awareness as explained by the late great firearms instructor Colonel Jeff Cooper is paramount. 

The painting of the red-shouldered hawk by Holly Byram is a reminder to all of the warriors.  “Vigilance” must be maintained.  The caption on the painting states “With a watchful eye, the successful captor is ever vigilant.”  Each year as we get further and further away from the events of September 11, 2001, as many people have stated, we must not only remember, we must never forget.  However, too ensure that our society is never thrust into chaos as it was on that day, we must pay attention to our surroundings.   

The Vigiles, or more properly the Vigiles Urbani (“watchmen of the City”), were the firefighters and police of Ancient Rome.  Each of us is now society’s new Vigiles.  The security and well-being of our society is in our hands.  When you see something that seems wrong, report it to your local authorities.  If you are the local authorities, investigate it.  Gavin de Becker explains in his book Gift of Fear that violent acts are predictable and preceded by clear warning signs.  We need only to be alert to these pre-incident indicators and take appropriate action when they are presented to us. 

We must maintain our freedom so that our way of life that we so cherish, survives.  We will do this by achieving victory against all of those that seek to harm us or our loved ones.   As stated by Sir Winston Churchill,” Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”  Victory is achieved through “Vigilance.” 

“Train Today for Tomorrow’s Battles”