Today is International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers

In Memoriam: Fallen for the Cause of Peace

Every day, in field operations around the world, men and women serve under the flag of the United Nations to build and maintain peace, to relieve human suffering, and to promote human rights and sustainable development.

With integrity, commitment and courage they meet humanity’s greatest challenges, over- coming any fears for their personal safety or security. Tragically, in this noble endeavor, there are those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

In honor of their memory, we dedicate ourselves to continuing their mission, at Headquarters and in the field. We share the grief of their loved ones and pledge ourselves to ensuring that their sacrifice in the service of the United Nations will not have been in vain.

(NOTE: This is a beautiful piece of writing written on UN webpage about peacekeepers in 2008)

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United Nations Security Council resolution 1121, adopted unanimously on 22 July 1997, after recalling that the maintenance of international peace and security was one of the main purposes of the United Nations, the council established the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, named after the second Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, awarded posthumously to United Nations peacekeepers.

The council recalled that the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to United Nations peacekeepers. It recognised that over 1,500 individuals from 85 countries had died in peacekeeping operations and that the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal would serve as a tribute to their sacrifice. The Secretary-General Kofi Annan was requested to establish criteria and procedures for the awarding of the medal, and other countries were requested to co-operate with its presentation.

(SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1121)

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The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the United Nations (UN) to military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in a United Nations peacekeeping operation. The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, who died in a plane crash in what is now Zambia in September 1961.

(SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dag_Hammarskj%C3%B6ld_Medal)