Medals of Honor and Valor
When you live the SemperVerus life, you decide to Stay True to what is right in every decision you make.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Every Small Decision Leads to Winning or Losing in Spiritual Warfare ]
When you wear our SemperVerus Brotherhood/Sisterhood wristband, it’s a helpful constant reminder that you pledge to stay true to what is right (1 Tim. 4:16) by daily choosing to live led by (Rom. 8:14), filled with (Eph. 5:18), walking by (Gal. 5:16), and in step with (Gal. 5:25) the Holy Spirit, exhibiting 13 virtues in your behavior; one of which is acting valorously (with courage).
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Door of Leadership Swings on the Hinge of Character ]
Conducting yourself with bravery is an element of strong character, and it’s part of the third element of the five SemperVerus components—BE—which emphasizes the importance of prioritizing integrity, honesty, and general uprightness in your life. It reads:
III. Be: developing rich personal leadership character of exemplary moral and ethical quality.
Two shining examples of what it means to act with courage are the US military’s Medal of Honor and the US Department of Justice’s Medal of Valor.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Be Like Ernest Shackleton ]
The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of highest bravery. The principles behind the Medal of Honor are relevant to everyone: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. The only military decoration worn around the neck, the Medal of Honor has evolved since its founding in 1861. Today there are three variants, one for each military department.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Desmond T. Doss: Example of Stalwart Character ]
Also see: Congressional Medal of Honor Society | Home of Heroes | National Medal of Honor Museum
The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, authorized by the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001, is the highest national award for valor presented to a public safety officer. Recipients of the medal are members of police, sheriff, fire, emergency medical, and other public safety departments who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Video: Let Your Conscience By Your Guide ]
The medal intentionally resembles the military’s Medal of Honor and is a gilt, blue-enameled, five-pointed, upside-down star, with each arm formed by a letter “V” (for Valor), surrounded by a wreath of laurel.
Also see: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance
[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Navy SEAL Reveals 8 Secrets To Grit And Resilience ]
What does it mean for us, who might not be in roles of public safety, but who want to live courageously every day? It means to have:
- the courage to SemperVerus — Stay True to what is right when the culture around us is exemplifying what is wrong
- the courage to believe in absolute truth when situational ethics is popular
- the courage to speak up when necessary
- the courage to keep quiet when appropriate
- the courage to act when needed
- the courage to think purely when confronted with temptation
- the courage to stay true when others don’t.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness Self-Defense: Seeing Temptation as a Threat ]
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
[ Read SemperVerus articles on the subject of BE ]
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