Memorial Day, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated in 1868 as Decoration Day. The day was established as a time for the nation to come together after the Civil War to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War Soldiers with flowers. Decoration Day was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1971, extending the observance to honor all Americans who died while in military service.

Pictured: A Civil War Veteran salutes with a Boy Scout and a Soldier at a grave-site in Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Ill., Decoration Day, 1927.

Chicago Daily News photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

I’ll tip back a pint this evening in memory of all the ANZAC troops, from World War One’s Battle of Gallipoli to the battle fought today. I’ll think of friends in both Australian and New Zealand militaries and good times deployed to bad places.

Firearms trainer and former Police Officer Ron Avery passed away on February 23rd.

This is his obituary:

Ron E. Avery passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. He was 62, and lived in Ouray, CO. Ron was a former police officer, as well as a recognized researcher and world-class shooter, winning many local, state, national and international competitions. He provided firearms training to all branches of the military, select government agencies, hundreds of federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agents, and countless clients in the private sector.

He was the co-founder of the Tactical Performance Center in St. George, UT, which teaches his doctrine of Reactive Shooting. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Reactive Shooting, which explains this doctrine in greater depth. Ron wrote for many different publications and had his own column in PoliceOne.com.

Ron is survived by his wife Michelle Poirier, and daughters Sarah Smith (nee Avery) and Samantha Avery, together with four (4) brothers (Paul, Neil, Alan and Bob) and four (4) sisters (Barbara Avery, Mary Bennett, S. Avery Smith and Joan Poundstone).

At his request, no viewing or funeral services will be held, and he will be cremated.

A memorial service is planned for the USPSA National Match in September, 2019, in St. George, Utah.

Ron will be missed. May He Rest In Peace.

Yesterday, I found out Ron Bellan passed away peacefully, due to natural causes. It comes as quite a shock. I had just seen him in a video on Facebook. Like so many other friends here in the Tidewater, I saw him more on the road than in town or at the occasional local industry gathering. Considering how close he lived, it’s a tragedy we didn’t see each other more often.

Many knew Ron through his adventures at Reaper Outdoors, but I first met Ron when he was still on active duty as a SEAL in the Navy. Ron was such a great friend and mentor to all and lived a life full of adventure, even after retirement. He will be missed by friends and family alike.

I’ll never forget his smile. May he Rest In Peace.

ARLINGTON, VA — We at the National Defense Industrial Association mourn the passing of George H.W. Bush, 41st president of the United States and true advocate for the warfighter through his service in the military and in office.

The U.S. defense industrial base entered a new era under Bush. In 1991, Operation Desert Storm saw the United States leading a global coalition that would feature the latest in military might and technology. Upon this base, many of the technologies and advancements for today’s warfighter were built. Bush’s leadership showcased U.S. capability on the world stage, and it has served as an example of bringing leading-edge technologies to the warfighter for years to come.

Bush was the last U.S. president to have served in World War II and used his diplomacy and skill to navigate the intricacies of the end of the Cold War and of the nuclear threats hanging over the world. What a remarkable point for a man who was the youngest naval aviator, enlisted at age 19 and decorated at age 20 when his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean.

In 1993, NDIA thanked Bush for his service to the nation’s military with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, our highest honor, given to those who invest in strong national security, a robust defense industrial base and unwavering support of warfighters. As Navy serviceman, congressman, CIA director, U.N. ambassador, vice president and ultimately president, Bush was an embodiment of the award.

We thank President George H.W. Bush for his life of service to our country, and with his family, friends and the country we mourn his loss.