Today is Veterans Day, a day once known as Armistice Day until 1954 when it was renamed. Why November 11? World War I ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. That’s why.
Our country observes two dates that honor military veterans — Memorial Day, which honors those who died while serving and Veterans Day, which honors all those who have served in the military.
Most of us know or have family and friends who have served in the military or are currently serving. Being a member of the service isn’t for everyone and for those serving today in our all-volunteer service, thank you for making that decision to serve our country.
If you are retired military, thank you for making our country what it is today.
Before our current system of an all-volunteer service, there was a Selective Service System where each United States male between the ages of 18 and 25 had to register for a yearly draft.
The draft lotteries from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War saw over 16.3 million men enter the military.
In 1975, the final lottery drawing was held for men born in 1956 called to report for induction into the service in 1976. Even with the last lottery in ’75, the draft orders for new soldiers hadn’t been issued since 1972.
The current all-volunteer army began in 1973, ending the need for future drafts.
It’s great that the two school districts here in Greater Pittston are proactive in honoring veterans.
Pittston Area has a lovely breakfast at the Middle School where a short program is presented and students get involved by performing musical selections, poems, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem.
Principal Patrick Bilbow has one directive of the veterans, they cannot sit together and they must sit among the students. Well done, Patrick. It’s a great way for veterans to talk to the students about their military career.
Wyoming Area has a different approach; it offers a Thanksgiving-style luncheon at noon followed by the veterans marching into the gym with the entire student body of the Secondary Center giving the former and current soldiers a standing ovation while patriotic music is played.
The program at Wyoming Area consists of a featured speaker.
Election day
I’ve never seen such a campaign in all my life for people to get out and vote on Election Day. I guess there’s always been such efforts in the past to get people interested enough to do perform their civic duty and right to vote.
MTV, in partnership with Virgin Records, launched the Rock to Vote initiative in 1990 in an effort to get younger people involved in voting. Dozens and dozens of rock stars, movie stars made public service announcements urging 18 to 24-year-olds to vote.
I never thought everyone but the youth would need to be encouraged to vote.
We’re getting better – maybe because of the importance of the midterms this time around. According to a Times Leader article, Luzerne County had a 52.45% turnout — a vast improvement from the 2014 midterms of 39%.
I was looking over the voter turnout by towns and a low of 28.96% was reported in Hazleton City’s 8th Ward while a high of 75.44% was reported in Bear Creek and 75% in Penn Lake Borough.
I’m happy to say, the towns that make up Greater Pittston were pretty much in the 50% range if not above.
There’s always room for improvement and I hope we’re moving in a better direction.
Christmas before Thanksgiving
Christmas has always been big business for merchants big and small, but in the last several years it’s crazy to see Christmas items up on displays everywhere when Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened yet.
Just the other day, I walked into a department store to see Christmas items on display, Thanksgiving items on display, Hanukkah items were out, fall items on display and Halloween items on clearance.
The older I get, the more I think, and forgive me, that Christmas purchases are way out of line. Just the other day while watching local news, the anchor said there is quite a bit of consumers who still owe on last Christmas’ credit card purchases.
I recently read an article on the late Holly Butcher who died earlier this year at the age of 28 from cancer. She talked about Christmas in her final essay before dying. She said presents are not needed for a meaningful Christmas; instead, use your money on experiences rather than spending your money on material things.
Holly had some other suggestions she’d like people to heed. Value other people’s time; don’t let them wait for you because you’re bad with being on time.
She added, “Try just enjoying and being in moments rather than capturing them through the screen of your phone.”
“Get amongst nature,” she said. “Put in the effort to do that day trip to the beach you keep putting off. Dip your feet in the water and dig your toes in the sand. Wet your face in the salt water.”
I wish I knew Holly. If you want to know more about her final thoughts, search her on the Internet.
Quote of the week
“The secret of discipline is motivation. When a man is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself.” – Sir Alexander Paterson, British penologist
Thought of the week
“If there is a sense of reality, there must be also be a sense of possibility.” – Robert Musil, Austrian-German novelist
Bumper sticker
“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.” – Marie Curie, French chemist
