I know it seems that the majority of people have short memories when it comes to these things. I think less do than what you think. It's human nature not to stand out too much so if nobody else around someone is making any sort of observance of these other notable dates then it's natural for a person to keep their thoughts to themselves. But the thought IS there which has it's own meaning. That said, I'd like to add that all is not lost on our youth. My boys are both pretty good at bringing up Pearl Harbor Day every December 7th. My youngest, 13 yrs old, likes to recite the speech that the president gave over the radio using his same tone & inflections. My boys know and they do remember. I never can remember but they let me know.
Veteran's Day is meaningful to me on a personal level. No, I was never in the military but my dad was. He served in the Navy for 24 years. He has deteriorated so much in the past 10 years or so into his mental health issues that stem from PTSD. The saying goes that "All gave some, some gave all." Well, I like to also remember the families. The price for my dad's service doesn't end with his illness. I have missed out on a lot in my lifetime because of my dad's service. I continue to lose every day as I watch him decend further. The heartbreaking part is what my children lose. They'll never know their Grandpaw as the adventurous, fun-loving, playful man he really is. Instead they know him as the person who never leaves his house which hurts them because they think it's because he doesn't love them enough to come visit. I can explain all day the whys but it doesn't stop their pain anymore than it stops mine.
I think about the first responders who were lost on 9/11 as well as those who survived. I think about their families. I think about the people who bore witness to the event whether in person or on television. I think about the innocent people who lost their lives and their loved ones. I think about all these things and how the impact of that day doesn't touch just some. The effects will go on for a very long time even when you least expect it. It was a day that changed us all. These are things I discuss with my boys in depth. I think that 9/11 is far more than a mark in our nation's history for them. At the time they were only 3 & 5. My youngest only remembers that I changed the channel on tv from his favorite show to a building on fire and I cried. My oldest remembers that I checked him out of Kindergarten early, that a lot of kids went home early, teachers were crying, and there was something really terribly wrong. They weren't aware of the depth when it happened but they get it now especially after we took them to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum this year. It's up to parents to teach their kids these things. Schools don't and won't do it justice.
Even before all the hullabaloo that's been in the media recently (a couple months ago at least) I put a reminder in my calendar to stop & observe the moment of silence at 8:46. It's what I want to do. I require it of my boys. I will ask our photographer who will be with us in World Showcase that morning for our portrait session to excuse us or join us. That's always been my plan. I won't stop living life the way we would have but a moment of honor and thoughtful reflection isn't a bad thing.
Each person should observe the moment or day if they feel they should. If some don't want to be reminded of it they can do that, too. :wave:
