While many years or even decades can be marked by a single event, 2020 will be marked by so much more. Many came into this year looking forward to the hope and magic this year was to provide. Exceedingly early and very quickly, 2020 showed us that this year would be different, and it would be one for the history books.
Impeachment
While the impeachment for President Trump was initiated in mid-December 2019 under the charges of abuse of power for soliciting Ukrainian authorities to influence the election, the proceedings bled over into 2020. The impeachment was lead heavily by house democrats, but fell short when the Senate acquitted the President of the charges in early February right as the COVID-19 outbreak was hitting the US. Most notably during the impeachment proceedings was the star witness, LTC Alexander Vindman, an Army Officer who testified against President Trump about a phone call. The disposition split the military community on the Army officer doing his job or stepping out of line.
Terrorist Killed
Qasem Soleimani who was an Iranian Major General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He was killed on January 3, 2020, by a drone strike in which many feared would send our country into a war with Iran. Hours after his death, Iranian missiles were launched against US held bases in Iraq including the embassy. Soleimani’s most notable legacy was his oversight on advanced weapons used in Iraq against US forces known as the explosively formed penetrator or EFPs. They were similar to know commonly known IEDs, but were much more deadlier and more effective.
Pandemic
The most noted event of the year is the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic. What started off as an unknown virus in China, quickly spread around the world and is leaving a lasting impact. On March 11th, the World Health Organization declared the COVID outbreak a global pandemic. In the late night of March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency. In the days and weeks that followed, we would see schools close for the year and transition to online learning, if you were not deemed essential you suddenly found yourself remote working from home, mask mandates were issued, curfews instated, and stay at home orders given. As we leave 2020 behind, we find that schools in many places have been able to open, people back in offices, and with some accommodations, life continues on.
Stop Move Orders
Many military personnel found themselves stuck in limbo during the pandemic when stop move orders were issued. Those who were in the middle of their PCS were allowed to continue on to their destination, but everyone else were halted. While the DoD and the services worked through their process of how to move troops and their families safely, many found themselves in less than ideal situations. Families became geographically separated with the unknown of when family could move forward. Some bought houses in preparation of their PCS and then found their orders delayed or cancelled altogether. With PCS delays, exception to policies and some shipment delays, families were able to finally PCS – of course after their quarantine.
War on Racism
The summer saw tensions run high as the protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis during a police officer stop. More protests would follow for the death of Brianna Taylor in Kentucky, and Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. In an ongoing debate between sides on the practice and use of lethal force, choke holds, and no-knock warrants, many major cities felt the economic brunt of destruction these protests, and riots left in their wake. The Black Lives Matter movement would again take centerstage in the US demanding equality, and to “say their name.” We would see this moment of racial injustice turn to look at history as well. Many would call for the removal of confederate statues from parks across the country, high schools and colleges would change their names and the debate on renaming military bases named after confederate generals would begin. While many have come together to support that a person is a person no matter what, many have been divided over the removal of the historic figures and what the best way forward should be.
Hostile Election
In one of the most highly contested elections in our history, we saw a hard fight between President Trump and Vice President Biden. Many would fault President Trump on his handling of the COVID pandemic, pushing a Supreme Court Justice nomination through, and the civil unrest of the summer. The other side would argue that Biden is well beyond his prime to hold office, and question some of his statements as to how long he would stay in the office before stepping down for his Vice President to take over. On November 3rd, Americans took to the pools to cast their votes for the next President. Many American had also taken advantage of the early voting and mail-in ballots this year. A few days later after recounts in Pennsylvania and Georgia, Biden would be named as the new President-elect. In the days and weeks thereafter, Conservatives would be shouting the same words Progressives shouted in 2016 – Fraud. There would be several court cases that would go as high up as the Supreme Court contesting the results of the election in various states. The electoral college met in early December to cast their votes who once again had named Biden, however those sealed votes won’t be opened and officially counted until a joint session of Congress meets on January 6th, with Vice President Pence residing as President of the Senate. On January 20th, 2021 we will see the inauguration of the next President.
American Icons Lost
In 2020 we were also hit hard in the chest with the passing of several icons. Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were sadly killed in a helicopter crash. Superhero fans everywhere mourned the death of Chadwick Boseman who played the Black Panther. Ruth Bader Ginsburg would leave her seat vacant only months before the election when she passed away. Our hearts were left empty when we heard of David Prowse, the actor behind the mask of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. This year we would also lose Little Richard, Regis Philbin, Peter Green, Kelly Preston, Jerry Stiller, Ian Holm, Kirk Douglas, Kenny Rogers, Eddie Van Halen, Sean Connery, and Alex Trebek.
This year was tough on many people and small businesses alike. As we look forward to 2021, not knowing what it holds, we can agree on one thing that history has taught us. The will and resolve of the American people is strong, and through even the most trying of times, good and humanity will prosper.
Here’s to 2021 – may it bring you the joy, peace, prosperity, hope, and good fortune that we all need.