Going into Memorial Day weekend, I had a random memory pop into my head. Back in the before times, wife 1.0 and I attended an event for older daughter, I believe it was cheerleading or something like that. Regardless, the event was on Memorial Day.
While waiting in line to purchase tickets to an event that highlighted newly acquired skills that I paid someone to teach my daughter, I wondered if the organizers were going to observe a moment of silence.
The ticket counter was a folding table, staffed by someone who looked like another parent. I asked the person taking the tickets if there were plans to have two minutes of silence. "Two minutes," she replied? "That's a long time!"
What, I thought? You believe that two minutes of silence is too long to pay respect to people who answered their country's call and paid with their lives? Wow! "No it's not," I replied flatly. I believe I was wearing a Marine Corps baseball hat, but I can't say for sure. This was a long time ago.
Regardless, I must have made an impact, because I recall her saying "Let me see what I can do," as 1.0, younger daughter, and I strolled into the high school gym. At the appointed time, the emcee strolled to the center of the gym and welcomed everyone to the event, and said "Before we begin, I ask that we observe two minutes of silence in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
The room went completely silent. Hats came off. Some heads bowed. Children were shushed. Two minutes was a long time. As it should be.
I am reasonably confident that I single-handedly got this accomplished.
1 comment:
Well Done Sir!!!! It's up to us to not let people get slack on etiquette and respect on such matters. When I pull into the parking area at my office- many times it's noon on the dot- the local radio station broadcasts a different version every day of the National Anthem on their station at that time and there just happens to be the flag-posts at the entrance to my office area. I will leave the radio playing at full volume and stand outside my car hand over heart or saluting(hat OFF both) until it's over, then continue my daily routine.
A few have started doing it as well if they are outside at that time.
We Will Never Forget. (9-11 battlecry/slogan I know- but also appropriate here.)
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