After attending the 911 Commemoration held at the Main Street Gazebo Sunday, I felt good to have been a part of the program. Local citizens had met together to honor our country and pay tribute to all who perished on September 11, 2001. Our presence was to honor the Fallen Heroes and those who survived while responding in a way that made us proud. The ceremony gave opportunity for all to say “thank you” to police officers, firefighters and EMS who take an oath to protect and serve (you and me) the public. They respond to our calls, no matter how horrific the circumstances. Because – it is the right thing to do.
Then, I came home to the evening news and learned of NFL ball teams who decided to add their support to the protest of another overpaid athlete. They also failed to see the chance to explain to him and our country what used to be a simple fact. “You can not bring a positive light to your cause by showing disrespect to our nation’s flag.”
The player who began this fiasco should have been called out for his actions when he chose to show disrespect to the our flag. Talk about injustice. Think about getting $11 million dollars a year for sitting on a bench.
Now, these other professionals, by their support, have influenced a high school team to exhibit the same bad judgment. Obviously allowed by a high school coach, trying to satisfy the PC police.
What does a commentary concerning all of this have to do with the Mayor’s business? Everything! Until our citizens return to considering our roots and how we are connected to one another in so many ways, they will never come to understand how much we depend on one another in our communities.
Some said the emotion of that day (9-11) was still so raw for them that they did not want to think about it.
That is the problem.
It reminds me of an old pastor’s joke. He intended to talk about ignorance and apathy, so, to begin his sermon, he asked the congregation a question: “Do you know the two biggest problems of our time?” And before he could begin his sermon he heard the answer.
“I don’t know” and “I don’t care.”
That is the problem. We must think about our uniqueness as a people and as a nation. We are now reaching a point where those of us who remember that day will soon have passed.
If you are more than 50 years of age, you know how much our society had already changed before that fateful day in September, and how much more it has changed since.
It is up to each of us to “Remember and Never Forget.”
We must share the importance of The Raising of the Colors, The Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of our National Anthem.
It should be of the utmost importance to all of us.
Close families make better communities.
Better communities make a better state.
Stronger states will restore our country.
Taking care to do things right – right where we are – will make a difference.
Maybe next week I’ll be off my bandwagon.
