PAX Centurion - March / April 2013

Page 24 • PAX CENTURION • March/April 2013 617-989-BPPA (2772) Veteran’s Corner: Patrick M. Rose N o one knows the precise origin of today’s hand salute. From earliest times and in many distant armies through- out history, the right hand (or “weapon hand”) has been raised as a greeting of friendship. The idea may have been to show that you weren’t ready to use a rock or some other weapon. Courtesy required that the inferior make the gesture first. Certainly there is some connection between this old gesture and our present salute. One romantic legend has it that today’s military salute descended from the medieval knight’s gesture of raising his visor to reveal his identity as a courtesy on the approach of a supe- rior. Another even more fantastic version is that it symbolizes a knight’s shielding his eyes from the dazzling beauty of some high-born lady sitting in the bleachers of the tournament. The military salute has in fact had many different forms over the centuries. At one time it was rendered with both hands! In old prints one may see left-handed salutes. In some instances the salute was rendered by lowering the saber with one hand and touching the cap visor with the other. The following explanation of the origin of the hand salute is perhaps closest to the truth: It was a long-established military custom for juniors to remove their headgear in the pres- ence of superiors. In the BritishArmy as late as the American Revolution a soldier saluted by removing his hat. But with the advent of more cumbersome headgear in the 18 th and 19 th centuries, the act of removing one’s hat was gradually converted into the simpler gesture of grasping the visor, and issuing a courteous salu- tation. From there it finally became conventionalized into some- thing resembling our modern hand salute. As early as 1745 (more than two-and-a-half centuries ago) a British order book states that: “The men are ordered not to pull off their hats when they pass an officer, or to speak to them, but only to clap up their hands to their hats and bow as they pass.” Whatever the actual origin of today’s hand salute, clearly in the tradition of the U.S. Military it has always been used to indicate a sign of RESPECT – further recognition that in the profession of arms military courtesy is both a right and a re- sponsibility of every soldier. With the aforesaid and being fully aware that I usually reserve this column for Veteran’s affairs and information, I would like to render a Salute; to ‘Hiz Honor’ Mayor Thomas M. Menino. I dedicate this column to the Mayor because he deserves it. Even though he is not a Military Veteran, he certainly is a Veteran of many battles. Hard fought battles waged in the name of the residents and tax paying citi- zens of this great City of Boston. Hard-fought battles to ensure that the City of Boston Veterans were treated with respect. Bat- tles waged to protect the dignity of our citizens. Battles waged to feed the hungry, clothe and shelter the poor. Battles waged to keep city employees actually employed and not laid off during not one but two serious recessions during his tenure as Mayor. Battles to keep our City relevant, building and growing while Mr. Mayor, I salute you! all else around us were shuttering their windows and businesses were fleeing. Love him or hate him, his nickname said it best: ‘The Urban Mechanic’. This man, this Father, Husband and Grandfather stood at the helm of this City for the past twenty years and proved everyone wrong. He steered this ‘ship’ through dangerous tides and foreboding waters. His foresight and dogged determination changed the course of this City and redirected it back to what was known a hundred years ago as the ‘Athens of America’. Working with business and influenc- ing many a person, Mayor Menino will always be remembered for keeping the city building and growing while other cities around the country were closing up shop. When others were laying off Teachers, Police and Fire Fighters he was hiring. When others were closing libraries and schools he was opening them. This 70 year old man kept a pace that most twenty somethings couldn’t or wouldn’t. Through his contacts and persuasion we currently have the single largest privately funded construc- tion job in the entire country on NorthernAve in the South Boston waterfront. There is a crane in Dudley Square, a crane, unbelievable, Dudley Square is being rebuilt. Through his direction and under his orders the City has built or purchased buildings and land to anchor business in our neighborhoods. Downtown is in the midst of a revival and busi- ness is coming to Boston not running from it. Roslindale Square is a diner’s delight. There isn’t a neighborhood in this city that hasn’t been the recipient of his vision and hard work. I can hear the sarcastic comments about this article already, from people that just don’t get it. Understand that I have nothing personal to gain by showing respect to Thomas Menino. I am not in the running for promotion, I’m not looking for a choice assignment (I al- ready have what I want, I’m a Boston cop with a walking beat in the best district in the city and the prize of representing my fellow Patrol- men as your Secretary). Have we been at odds with the Mayor in the past?Yes we have. Are we currently without a contract and fighting through arbitration to get one?Yes we are. Are there many times that we disagree with the Department or City on the proper way to handle a situation or policy and procedure?Well once again the answer would be yes. However, that does not diminish the respect I have for the man, a regular guy that was born and bred in Boston, a neighbor- hood guy. A guy that decided to stay and fight the fight the best way he could. This is a guy that worked his way up from a political go-for to a man that represented every neighborhood and person within this city. A rare politician in this day and age that never disgraced this city or tarnish his family name by surrounding himself with corrupt peo- ple or allow corruption to flourish. I have always preached give credit where credit is due. I speak as a proud Boston resident, not because I have to be a resident, but because I choose to stay in this wonderful vibrant City, in no small part due to Mayor Thomas Menino’s vision and dedicated service. Mr. Mayor, I salute you and I thank you.You are definitely leaving this City a better place than you inherited. I wish you well and many happy and healthy years enjoying your family.