SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Law Day kicked off, here, May 1.
This event is organized through the American Bar Association, or ABA, and takes place in Hawaii, the mainland, U.S. territories and military installations overseas.
President Dwight Eisenhower first established Law Day in 1958, and he stated in his proclamation that "it is fitting that the people of this nation should remember with pride and vigilantly guard the great heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law which our forefathers bequeathed to us."
Since the days of Eisenhower, this nation has placed an emphasis on educating the public about the American justice system. In fact, every president since Eisenhower has signed a proclamation recognizing May 1 as Law Day.
Each year, ABA comes up with a different theme celebrating the commitment to the rule of law. This year's theme, "The Legacy of John Adams: From Boston to Guantanamo," highlights our nation's first lawyer-president and fosters an understanding of the historical and contemporary role of lawyers in defending the principle of due process and the rights of the accused.
The "Boston to Guantanamo" timespan covers of different events in U.S. history, including military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and the Boston Massacre, where John Adams represented a British captain and eight British soldiers who were charged with shooting into a crowd of colonists.
In celebration of Law Day 2011, the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, hosted various events, including an officer professional development course on "The Response," a courtroom drama based on the actual transcripts of the Guantanamo Bay military tribunals, May 5, at the Wheeler Army Airfield Courthouse.
During "Right Arm Night," 8th TSC's OSJA held a Law Day Scrabble competition, which focused on the American legal system and will built unit cohesion between officers, noncommissioned officers and civilian personnel, at the Hale Ikena, Fort Shafter, May 6.
Third-grade students at Wheeler Elementary School created 20 posters depicting their interpretation of justice. All poster submissions are on display in the courthouse on Wheeler Army Airfield. Students will also have an opportunity to tour the courthouse on Wheeler Army Airfield later this month. At that time, awards will be given out for all poster designs.
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