Corsicana —
This column did not land on the Fourth, but this is close enough, don’t you think? So I’ll do my bit to support the troops and honor the veterans. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to give honor where honor is due whatever day it is.
Hey, all you youngsters whose mom or dad is or was part of the military, BE PROUD! We honor you, too, because you had to give up a lot. When one or more parents wear a uniform, the whole family is military, believe me. And I know you do. It’s everybody else I’m thinking about. We often are too busy tooting our own horn or scratching around for favors that we forget the ones who are really sacrificing the days of their lives, sometimes very lonely lives even if today’s world may provide more communication when you are apart.
We need to watch carefully that our veterans don’t fall through the cracks with all the cutting of expenses that we hear about being so necessary. We have seen things like that happen before on the excuse that “we just can’t afford certain benefits.” “Can’t afford,” my eye! They managed to afford things like legs, arms, eyes, etc. not to mention blood, sweat and tears. And we can’t afford benefits? You’re kidding! Find another excuse.
Back on the first Fourth of July, our forefathers said, “This place is worth it! These people are worth it! Let’s do it!” Don’t try to tell me that you don’t think it was. Well, if you don’t, it’s too late now. We are on that long, long road — no turning back, no turning back. Let’s pick up the wounded and get moving.
We are glad to get soldiers back home again. But they are returning to another kind of desert — one where there are no jobs waiting. The population is kind of wandering around trying to find something. We seem to be stuck on high center.
I hate the blame game. There’s plenty of blame to go around. What about putting our heads together and trying to figure a way out of this jam.
We used to have some spirit when times were tough. Kate Smith would sing, “God Bless America,” and we would be ready for another round. Maybe we are disillusioned because some of the leaders in the athletic world have shown to have feet of clay. Don’t tell me that all we are is a bunch of idol worshipers. We are in an actual contest for the world’s support in doing good and standing up for the right. Let’s get with it.
One thing I’ve noticed about getting through hard times. It’s that a smile goes a long way. A problem we seem to have today is that we can crack jokes, but usually at the other fellow’s expense. I think we need more plain old civility. What happened to people on both sides of the issue playing a game of golf or meeting for coffee somewhere? We all claim that God made it possible for us to love one another. Does all that talk go out the window when we have a difference of opinion?
What must all the children think when they see and hear the adults talking and acting the way they do?
The Fourth of July is a day to be proud and happy and celebrate a brave action our forefathers took long ago. We have benefited greatly from it. I wonder what they would be saying about us now? What have we done with the brave start they gave us? I know you may say, “Well, they didn’t get along with one another either.” Yes, I’ll admit that they often showed their hot tempers and fought duels and such. I never said they were perfect, but we are much further along in time. We need to make some headway of our own.
May God bless our country and all you readers out there!
Opinion
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Gelene Simpson is a Daily Sun columnist.
Discussion
A Day Worth Celebrating
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