A Heritage Proudly Worn

Today, I honor the veterans I proudly call my own.

My father, Grandpa Terry and Grandpa Bennett.

My father, Clint Bennett is a veteran of the Iraqi War. He left our family to serve when my daughter was just an infant. I remember reading his emails where he assured us that everything was just fine. The food was great and he was keeping busy. He missed us all and would be home soon. It wasn't until after he came home that he revealed just how much danger he faced every day. His camp underwent daily shell firings. It was dangerous, it was hot and he felt fortunate to safely return home to us when so many men did not.

My grandfather, Howard Terry is a veteran of World War II. He rarely speaks about the war and the atrocities he witnessed, but the few memories he shares, I treasure. He served aboard a Navy vessel after the bombings in Japan. He was tasked to retrieve the Japanese woman and children exiled to the outer islands for their protection. In my imagination, I am unable to comprehend what he must have witnessed. To spare our delicate feelings he will mostly recount the humorous stories from the war. Like the time he and his shipmates stashed an enormous can of pineapple and latter devoured the whole thing only to be sick for days after. Or the 'truth' on just how he got that darkened tooth.

My grandfather, Richard Bennett is a veteran of the Korean War. He honorably chose to serve our country in the Army during a very unpopular war. He's thrilled me with stories of the pontoon bridges he helped construct and the Korean children that followed their camp begging for scraps. One small boy, nicknamed Buckshot, is fondly remembered by my grandpa. I've seen pictures of the little guy. They are kept in a worn suitcase hidden at my grandpa's house. Again, my imagination can't begin to touch the ugly truth about war. Behind his laughing eyes and raucous baseball stories, I can see the atrocities that he can't forget.

I honor these men today.

Their service is a heritage I proudly wear.

9/11

Call me a cynic. Call me insensitive. But, enough already! The airwaves, internet and office gossip are full of 9/11 stories, 'commemorations' and commentaries. 9/11 was a tragic and devastating day for all Americans. It forever changed the destiny of our nation. I won't deny that.

However, the sensational way we now remember 9/11 is intolerable! I think it disrespects the memory of those who died during that attacks to continue to sensationalize that sad tragic day to sell stories and air time.

I would like to see 9/11 as a day of true remembrance. A day to remember the lessons we learned as a country that day. A day to examine our country's divine mandate. A day to humbly reflect on the tragic circumstances that led to the attacks. A day to recommit to live more tolerant and peaceful lives.

Maybe I'm an idealist. Or maybe I'm just a scrooge today. I'd rather see positive action and a commitment to change, than read and hear overly dramatic, sensationalized stories. I believe that by becoming a more compassionate, less aggressive nation we honor those who's lives were lost.

So today, I'm turning off the broadcasts, ignoring the emails and choosing not to read the myriad of stories pasted all over the internet. I am just one person. But, today I am recommitting to live more peacefully. Today, I honorably remember those who lost their lives and those who continue to fight for my freedom. Today, I give thanks to my Father in Heaven that I am an American and that I enjoy a privileged life millions of others can only dream about.

Inauguration Day 2009

“We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”

As a patriotic American, I was inspired by President Obama’s inaugural speech. I feel blessed to live in a nation of such great wealth and prosperity. I thank my Heavenly Father for the democratic process, however flawed it may sometimes be. I thank Him for my civic responsibility. And I am grateful for the technology that brought this inspiring speech to millions world wide.
I hope I have been able to share my love of the democratic process with my daughter. She has accompanied me to the poles several times and we watched a few of the presidential debates together. Yesterday while watching the inauguration at Randee’s, she clapped excitedly everytime President Obama appeared on the screen. And when I picked her up in the afternoon she told me all about the ‘special show’ she had watched. In her three-year-old way, she understands that yesterday was a special day. She understands that President Obama doesn’t look like a lot of the men she’s seen on TV. But, in her three-year-old innocence, it doesn’t matter. She’s accepted our new leader with such an innocent excitement. I hope that America as a country of many nationalities will also accept our new president with such enthusiasm.
President Obama inspires me to affect change. Small that it may be. Change is change. And I pray that these past few years have taught our country lessons in responsibility and stewardship that we won’t soon forget.