September 3 - September 9INTROGood morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, I want to focus on a topic that's close to my heart: the importance of remembering our heroes, particularly those who have been honored with the Newton-Azrak Award for Heroism and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Line of Duty. This week marks a special anniversary that serves as a poignant reminder of why we must never forget our heroes. It's the anniversary of Border Patrol Agent George E. Evancheck's heroic actions on September 5, 1986, near Comstock, Texas. This Week in USBP History The Imperative of Remembering Our Heroes The Rediscovery of George E. Evancheck Evancheck's story had been nearly lost to history, omitted from the Newton-Azrak Award recipient list for decades. It wasn't until 2022 that his story was rediscovered and rightfully restored. His actions during that fateful day in 1986 were nothing short of heroic, and they serve as a powerful example of why we must always remember and honor our heroes. Why Remembering Our Heroes Matters A Source of Inspiration The heroics of agents like George E. Evancheck are not just commendable acts; they are the lifeblood of inspiration within the U.S. Border Patrol. These stories serve as a living testament to the core values that define us as an organization—courage, integrity, and honor. When we share and remember these stories, we're not just recounting history; we're setting a standard for what every agent should aspire to be. Whether you're a new recruit or a seasoned veteran, these tales of bravery and quick thinking offer invaluable lessons. They remind us that extraordinary feats are possible when we act in line with our core values. In a sense, these stories are the fuel that powers our collective drive for excellence, reinforcing the importance of living up to the ideals that make us proud to be part of this organization. Cultural Significance Heroes like Agent Evancheck don't just inspire us; they shape the very culture of the U.S. Border Patrol. Each act of bravery, each sacrifice, each moment of quick thinking adds a layer to our collective identity. These stories are the threads that weave the fabric of our organizational culture, encapsulated in our motto, "Honor First." When we honor these heroes, we're not just celebrating individual achievements; we're affirming and reinforcing the principles that guide us as an organization. Their stories become part of our shared narrative, a narrative that defines who we are and what we stand for. It's this narrative that fosters a sense of pride and belonging among agents, making us a stronger, more unified force. Ethical and Moral Guidance The stories of our heroes are more than just tales of bravery; they are lessons in ethics and morality that resonate deeply within the U.S. Border Patrol. Take Agent Evancheck, for example. His decision to crawl through fuel-soaked debris to disconnect live wires wasn't just brave; it was an ethical choice that put the safety of others above his own. These stories serve as real-world ethical case studies, offering a framework for making tough decisions in the line of duty. They remind us that the right choice is often the brave choice, and that bravery is rooted in our core values of integrity and honor. By keeping these stories alive, we provide ethical and moral guidance that helps shape the character of every agent, reinforcing the importance of decision-making that aligns with our organizational values. Preserving Legacy Preserving the stories of our heroes is a responsibility that goes beyond mere commemoration. It's about shaping the future of the U.S. Border Patrol. When we remember and honor heroes like Agent Evancheck, we're doing more than paying tribute; we're ensuring that their sacrifices and lessons become a permanent part of our organizational legacy. These stories serve as a bridge between generations of agents, creating a continuum of values, bravery, and honor that stretches from the past into the future. By documenting and remembering these acts of heroism, we're not just creating a historical record; we're crafting a legacy of excellence that will inspire and guide future generations of agents. The Danger of Forgetting Forgetting our heroes is more than an oversight; it's a threat to the U.S. Border Patrol's organizational culture and pride. When stories like Agent Evancheck's fade away, we risk losing invaluable lessons in courage, integrity, and honor. Each forgotten hero represents a missed opportunity to inspire and guide future generations of agents. Moreover, forgetting disrupts the continuity of our organizational legacy. A forgotten hero is a missing link in our collective history, affecting both our past and our future. The rediscovery of Agent Evancheck's story serves as a crucial reminder that we all have a role in preserving the legacy of our heroes. Forgetting isn't just a failure of memory; it's a failure to honor the values that define us. In Conclusion In the U.S. Border Patrol, heroism takes many forms. While acts of bravery in the face of danger, like those of Agent Evancheck, are often the most visible, heroism also manifests in less dramatic but equally important ways. Upholding organizational values, as codified in the U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards, is itself a form of heroism. These awards recognize not just acts of valor but also administrative excellence, extraordinary law enforcement actions, and efforts in the preservation of life. Remembering our heroes—whether they've shown courage in dangerous situations or upheld our values in their daily duties—is essential for maintaining organizational pride and culture. These stories serve as a constant reminder of what we stand for and what we aspire to be. They are the building blocks of our collective identity, the threads that weave the fabric of our ethos. In a world where it's easy to forget, let us make it a point to remember. Because forgetting isn't just a failure of memory; it's a failure to honor the values that define us as an organization. Let's ensure that the stories of our heroes, in all their varied forms, are told, retold, and never forgotten. Take Action: Uphold Honor First Feeling inspired by the stories of heroism you've read today? Rekindle your pride in the U.S. Border Patrol and its exceptional workforce by diving deeper into our legacy. Visit the "Upholding Honor First" page to read about hundreds of Border Patrol heroes who have set the standard for courage, integrity, and honor. Let their stories fuel your own commitment to these enduring values. This week, we delve deeper into the U.S. Border Patrol's multifaceted history. We'll start with 1918 documents that shed light on staffing levels along the Mexican border, revealing a gap between authorized and actual numbers of Mounted Watchmen. We'll also discuss the tragic 1929 murder of Marfa Assistant Chief Inspector Myles J. Scannell, a grim chapter in Border Patrol history. Additionally, we'll explore the innovative 1950s "Boatlift" program and the legislative changes of the 1960s that influenced both hijacking laws and civil rights initiatives. These stories, and much more, offer a nuanced look into the challenges and milestones that have shaped the Border Patrol over the years. This week, we honor Border Patrol Agent George Evancheck on the anniversary of his Newton-Azrak Award action. During this week, we solemnly remember three of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Enjoy and have a great week! Cliff P.S. - As an open and continuous invitation to current and former USBP employees, I am always accepting photos to post in the USBP Photo Galleries and in the Upholding Honor First pages. I sure would appreciate you visiting those pages and sending me anything that you think I could post (just send them to [email protected]). As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to the documents and pages. Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it. ESPRIT DE CORPSThe workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEKFrom First Light to Leadership The Journey of Agent Albert A. Herrera As the sun rises, casting its first light on a young Border Patrol Agent named Albert A. Herrera, he stands in an early Honor Guard uniform, his eyes shielded by his campaign hat. This moment foreshadows a luminous career ahead; Agent Herrera would ascend through the ranks to become an Assistant Chief and the national leader of the USBP Honor Guard, highly decorated for valor and performance. A journey from first light to leadership, captured in a single, poignant frame. DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS1918
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NEWTON-AZRAK AWARD |
Clifford GillBlog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate. Ray HarrisSite founder and owner, former Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent. Joseph BancoU.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent. Archives
July 2024
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