thoughts on the news of the day: remember when

hmmm…..

                December 7 will always be a day to remember.  On that day in 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked.  If you are of my father’s age group, you can probably describe where you were and what you were doing when you heard the details of the attack.  My generation is marked with the memories of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. For my daughter’s contemporaries, I suppose it will be the events of September 11, 2001. 

                I remember exactly where I was on November 22, 1963.  We were sitting in the classroom working on math problems when our principal came to the door and announced that the president had been shot.  Immediately the news reports were broadcast over the loudspeakers in our classroom and we huddled there listening in anticipation of what eventually was to be the final tragic outcome of the shooting.  I remember questioning if we were safe, if our country could survive the loss of a great leader; probably in much the same way that folks wondered if our country could withstand the hostile assault on Pearl Harbor or the attack on the World Trade Center. 

                We were safe, but I don’t ever want to take that for granted.  I want to remember that we are blessed to live in a great nation that has withstood the attempts to bring down our greatness.  I want to continue to be grateful for young men and women like my nephew who choose to serve our country in the armed forces. 

                Let’s remember today all those who serve and protect our great nation.

                hmmm…..