学校と認知心理学の国際ジャーナル
オープンアクセス

概要

A Moment of Silence to Honor our Heroes Both Dead and Living

Agina AM

Here are nearly 50,000 reasons for me to keep the needs of our service members closest to my heart and on the front burner in my mind as well as front and center in the public square. One of the heroes who gave his life is Staff SGT James M. Malachowski, USMC. He was 25 when he died in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was in 2nd BN, 8th Mar. Regiment, II Marine Div. II Marine Expeditionary force, based in Camp Lejeune, NC. I picked his name out of the list of heroes because I have two powerful links to the II Marines and Camp Lejeune. 1. I am father of USMC Officer who saw action in the Al Anbar Province when the II Mar Div. took over this totally broken down region. (2006-2007) and 2. The Spearhead Insignia which was a shoulder patch when it was introduced during action in Pacific theater relates very well to the Surname of our family namely Velandy which is a Tamil word meaning bearer of the Spear. The Hindu deity who is referred to as Velandy is revered especially in South India and Sri Lanka. This deity is both a scholar and warrior who like Pericles lead the forces of Good to a great triumph over the forces of evil. I could hardly contain myself and felt extremely gratified when I fully appreciated this link between our Surname Velandy- the Spear bearer and the Spear head Symbol of the II Marine Division. This Division stabilized the once deadly and desperately chaotic region of Iraq- the vast badlands of the Al. Anbar province a couple of years ago and handed over control to the Iraqis.