The Wackenhut Security Post

Memorial Day marks a reflective time when the country honors those who have sacrificed to keep our nation and others of the world safe and free from tyranny and oppression.

As Ronald Reagan said at the 40th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion,

You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.”

This weekend we should all give thanks and honor to those who have gone before and made that sacrifice. But we should also honor and thank those that are currently serving, knowing that they may have to give their lives to keep freedom alive.

In that spirit we recommend reading this profile of the brave WSI firefighters in Iraq who stand ready to protect our troops.

Oliver Wendell Holmes gave a Memorial Day speech in Keene, New Hampshire on May 30, 1884 before he had been elevated from justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts to United States Supreme Court Justice. Holmes said in that speech, "It is now the moment when by common consent we pause to become conscious of our national life and to rejoice in it, to recall what our country has done for each of us, and to ask ourselves what we can do for our country in return."

The firefighters serving in Iraq have asked that question and answered it with what I suspect is the only possible answer they could conceive. We thank them for that answer and hold them in the highest regard!

Posted by Suzanne Hammelman at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Carol Hallett, the newest member of the WSI Board of Directors has just been nominated for election to the Board of Directors of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

This nomination is testimony to Ms. Hallett's exceptional background in the security and airline industry. She has been an invaluable addition to the WSI Board.

Read the AAWH press release.

"Carol B. Hallett, 68, served from 1995 to 2003 as President and CEO of the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the nation's oldest and largest airline trade association. Since 2003, Ms. Hallett has served as chair of Homeland Security at Carmen Group, Inc., and has been of counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Hallett is also a Director of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, Rolls Royce-North America, and Wackenhut Services."

Posted by Suzanne Hammelman at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The WSI Oak Ridge Team held a "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day," to honor colleagues and fallen heroes.

The Oak Ridger newspaper covered the program. WSI General Manager John Burleson summed up the feeling of the day:

"'We're very fortunate to have the support from law agencies,' Burleson said.

As for their fallen comrades, he continued, 'It's not how they died that makes them heroes, but it's how they lived.'"

Posted by Suzanne Hammelman at 02:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The U. S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration has awarded a renewal of the security contract for their Nevada Test Site and NNSA Nevada Site office to Wackenhut Services. The South Florida Business Journal has all the details but here are some that stand out:

• WSI has provided security at the Nevada Test Site since 1965.
• WSI secures 900,000 acres at the site - one of the largest restricted areas in the United States.
• In 10 Department of Energy performance ratings over the last five years at the Nevada Test Site, Wackenhut has received only one score below 95 percent.

WSI President Dave Foley was quick to credit the fine employees of WSI for the renewal of the contract. Here is an excerpt from the WSI press release:

"Foley praised employees as the key to WSI success in winning the NTS contract. 'We have an exceptional group of men and women at our Nevada site, our security officers and other support employees are the most thoroughly trained and best in the business. Their outstanding past performance has been the driving force in the success of WSI's service to the NNSA at the Nevada Test Site,' said Foley."

Posted by Suzanne Hammelman at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)