Fort Eisenhower’s commanding general has always had an admiration and respect for those in law enforcement, even though he’s never worn that particular uniform.
“I served in the infantry for the first half of my career, and I found myself in a number of situations in deployed environments, where we had to hold the line. And holding the line takes a degree of professionalism, expertise, restraint in what is a hostile, aggressive and oftentimes emotionally charged operation environment, and you all do that every day,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton at a May 13 ceremony inside Fort Eisenhower’s fire station marking National Police Week.
The ceremony highlighted the sacrifices of two Fort Eisenhower military police who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Pfc. Patrick Brems was killed in Saigon on April 1, 1966, after he gave his life thwarting an attempt on other soldiers’ lives. While securing the Victoria Hotel, Brems was killed after charging into the path of an explosives-laden truck and forcing the driver to abandon the vehicle, saving the lives of many soldiers.
Brems received the Silver Star on April 17, 1966.
The Brems Barracks at Fort Eisenhower were named in his honor.
On Feb. 22, 1966, MP Pfc. Robert McKenna was guarding the installation’s main gate when two suspects in a South Carolina bar robbery attempted to enter the base. When he moved to halt the vehicle, McKenna was shot at close range and killed.
Gate One was renamed the McKenna Gate in his memory.
“We want to make sure that the dedication of law enforcement officers is known and can be shared with the public,” said Lt. Col. Hank Cartagena, director of emergency services and provost marshal at Fort Eisenhower. “Law enforcement is one of most noble professions out there. They risk their lives every day. And this is just the least we can do to commemorate their sacrifice on a daily basis.”
Officials also recognized Fort Eisenhower’s relationships with law enforcement counterparts in neighboring counties.
In some situations, these neighboring law enforcement agencies aid in incidents. Stanton called the hand off between the agencies “seamless.”
Also, this week, law enforcement personnel will engage in some friendly competition in marksmanship, golf and bowling.
In an off-the-script moment, Stanton said he didn’t care how the military police did at the bowling alley, but they’d better be superior marksmen.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy Jr. named May 15 at Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week surrounding it as Police Week.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
