The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Excitement Is Building

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

31 October 2001

The excitement is building for The Quill's "Patriotic Evening" to salute our veterans and others in our hometowns who are our heroes.

However, I just can't believe how many different people have asked me, "When is Veterans Day?"

I think we have either forgotten to celebrate that holiday, too many times, or we have moved our holidays around so much, we don't know when they are.

Veterans Day is still November 11th. It was originally called Armistice Day because that is when World War I ended in 1918 - on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. It was suppose to be the day that would end all wars. Sadly, it wasn't, and it was years later it was changed to "Veterans Day."

There won't be many WW I veterans at our celebration, I believe, because they would be over 100 years old, but they will be saluted and remembered as heroes.

As we have reaped the rewards of our forefathers toil and sacrifice, we have not fully understood why that tattered and worn flag means so much to a Veteran.

But, after we watched our very nation attacked on September 11th, and our fellow Americans murdered in cold blood by terrorists simply because they are Americans, we've had an instant history lesson and a change of heart.

When I drive down one of our highways and meet a car with a flag tied to its antenna or clamped to a window, I know this must be a veteran.

I know this man has sacrificed his all for our red, white, and blue symbol of freedom.

I know that he whispers a prayer every night for his family, and that he doesn't take his tomorrows for granted.

I know, because I felt the threat of terrorism, and it has hit me in the back of my knees. For a minute, I thought all we had in America was going to be lost before our eyes.

Yes, our Veterans in our communities and their families have kept us safe this far.

They have known we have not quite understood, or we have forgotten.

But their excitement is building as we plan a celebration on November 11th, Veterans Day.

They know the rest of us are starting to see, a little bit, through a Veterans eyes.

We are becoming moved into action, we are feeling the spirit of a soldier, and we are thinking about what our country would be like if no one would stand up for her.

We are beginning to learn that everything is bought at a price, and many soldiers, as President Abraham Lincoln said in his "Gettysburg Address," have given the last full measure of their devotion to keep the flag flying over America.

Where would we be if brave men didn't stand against the enemy?.

"So as the song goes, "We'll rally around the flag, boys for freedom," as our community spirit and gratitude brings us together to pay tribute to those who put their life on the line, protect us, help us, and rescue us.

Veterans, policemen, firemen, ambulance crews, I hope after Nov. 11th, you all know that the spirit of America is alive and well in Henderson and Hancock County and that we gather not only to salute you as hometown heroes but to say "No" to Osama bin Laden and those like him.

This Patriotic evening will symbolize that we are part of the awakened giant that moves the very frailest of us into strength and action.

The excitement for a patriotic evening is growing, and our heroes prayers for more understanding hearts are being answered.