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A
Time to Remember
John Lenotte
(05/07/07)
 Memorial
Day will soon be upon us. For a number of years, this has
been the unofficial start of summer. We head off to the
beach, have a cookout and/or finalize our summer vacation
plans. Growing up in Lawrence in the ‘50s and ‘60s,
it had quite a different meaning. It was a time to honor
those who served or were serving in the military.
There was a huge parade with a number of bands and drum
corps providing music. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub
Scouts, Brownies all marched. We had horses, vendors
selling cotton candy and balloons. Included were
representatives from the various branches of the
military, military vehicles and veterans groups. And I am
sure it was pretty much the same throughout the Merrimack
Valley. Then came the Vietnam War. With it came the
protest marches along with numbers of our brothers and
sisters who gave their lives for our country. The parades
diminished to almost nothing.
Then September 11, 2001 happened. We were attacked on our
soil in dramatic, ugly fashion. Patriotism came back into
style. Somewhat. We now see more groups marching in the
parades and more citizens showing up to watch and
applaud.
The military does not participate as our troops are
stretched too thin. In Haverhill, we are fortunate to
have a Junior ROTC unit at the high school that
participates in the parade.
Unfortunately, we have many more folks come out to see
the Santa parade versus the numbers that come out for
Memorial Day or Veterans Day. I am not knocking the Santa
parade (I don’t want coal in my stocking this year).
We just seem to have our priorities mixed up. Showing up
to either march in the parade or to cheer those who are
marching is NOT showing political support for or against
the war. It shows respect and support for those who are
serving or have served in the military.
Let us demonstrate to our men and women in uniform that
we care about them. Remember, it is our freedoms and our
way of life that are under attack and it is the military
in the end that will preserve our society.
And what of the families of the troops? I am sure we all
have some connection to someone in uniform. How do you
think they feel as they watch the news and worry about
their loved one? April was a terrible month with 104
killed and many more wounded.
As of April 30, the total was 3,351 killed. How many
children have now been left with one parent? The American
Legion has established a scholarship fund for the
children of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in this
conflict. I am sure there are other opportunities to
give. And as I have noted in other columns, there are
groups in Danvers, Methuen and Wilmington who send
packages to our troops. They can always use donations.
I know the mailing costs alone can be very expensive. And
let us not forget the families of those who are serving.
Again the Legion has a family support program as does the
National Guard and other branches. Please show them you
care.
Can you not give some time out of your busy life to come
out and show your support on Memorial Day? I will be
there. I hope to see many of you there also.
God bless America.
John Lenotte is the American Legion District 8/Essex
County Commander and Post 4 Haverhill Adjutant. You
can Email him at JohnLDistrict8@verizon.net
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The MAY 2007 Edition of
the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 12,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
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Salisbury Beach, and Lowell.
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