MY POINT OF VIEW: Purple is a magnificent color

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by Gary Kennedy

Purple is such a magnificent color. I have a wall that is a shade of purple. It’s been pleasing to my eyes for more than 35 years. It has never seemed to fade, although, I am sure it won’t last forever. However, I can’t seem to imagine any other color that is more pleasing. The purple that I refer to is my purple wallpaper.

Just through my bow window are many bird feeders which are always inhabited by many known species of birds. Occasionally, an unusual specimen will show up to change things up a bit. The hummingbirds stay away and some of the chickadees and gold finch will make space by using another feeder or moving to the opposite side. We provide excellent food which seems to be the deciding factor. That and the fact that the other birds are in their comfort zone, seems to have a way of working things out. However, when the crows and the occasional hawk swoops down, the established take flight and hide. Then I return my gaze to my purple room. It seems the color purple represents the range of shades between blue and red. Any mix of color might take a different name. Purple was not a color identified by Sir Isaac Newton and some say it doesn’t have its own wave length, of light. Purple still persists in culture and art nonetheless.

The color of purple is generally associated with royalty, luxury, nobility, power and ambition. Is my favorite color making more sense yet? This magnificent color also represents such things as creativity, extravagance, dignity, grandeur, independence, pride, mystery and even magic. What a magnificent color! Is it beginning to cause wonder lust in your mind as of yet? Purple also holds a superior position spiritually. It depicts power both earthly and spiritually. In healing, purple is used for mental disorders. I personally find peace with the radiation generated by purple. Purple also represents higher spiritual development. Purple also represents the full spectrum of human experience and emotion from pain and suffering to happiness and joy. The happy movement draped themselves in it. Even songs were written about the color purple. It became a symbol for many things, even changes in societal movement.

Purple starts with a certain breed of snail. The pigments used to create this beautiful color originally came from this little creature. Other than this source it is derived from the combining of red and blue. My imagination sometimes runs away with me. When I first started this article I’m thinking of politics and how Maine has recently changed from blue to shades of red. I guess that left me with purple. I hate to see my favorite color change to a political entity. However, I guess being in the middle shows freedom of thought and should be depicted by a beautiful unrealized color.

I hope you have enjoyed one of the journeys through my imagination. Oh, don’t forget to vote. The color you choose you will have to live with. That color may not be purple but a shade there of. Make sure it is satisfying and brings you peace.

God bless to you and yours and have a happy and safe weekend.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

MY POINT OF VIEW: Who really discovered America?

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Christopher Columbus

by Gary Kennedy

Once a year we find time to check out our roots and how we came to be, and who made it all happen. Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas at Guanahani, an island in the Bahamas, on October 12, 1492. Many do not celebrate this holiday anymore as it is believed that genocide occurred and paved the way to slavery. Although many say that the greater glorification is the exploration. Indigenous people of North America take exception to this holiday as they were already settled here. So now many states refer to this holiday as Indigenous People’s Day. South Dakota became the first to officially celebrate this holiday calling it Native American Day, in 1992. Many cities throughout the United States have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. It appears that the change of this holiday is a national work in progress but some still cling to Columbus Day.

An example of conflict on a local level is Boston. Mayor Kim Janey, Boston’s first black woman mayor, had Boston as Indigenous Day to replace what was referred to as Colonial Myths passed down over generations. In 2022 an incoming Democrat, Michelle Wu, under pressure, was compelled to change back and add to this already holiday in conflict. Along with Indigenous Peoples Day was added Italian Heritage Day. This was a clever way of getting Columbus in under another guise. We know during those times slavery was popular and felt needed for the growth of the colonies.

Also, it was very profitable. People basically don’t care much for change. To be honest about it, I don’t care much for it either. As a youth I was taught and learned many lies. The topic was real and good but taught in a non factual manner. I had to get old and experience life to finally see the truth. Sometimes you need to stand on your own and extrapolate from that which the prudent feed you. As far as the reason for Columbus Day it is most likely a happening that is true and the players in this somewhat factual occurrence are probably not even close to Christopher Columbus, period, and even more precisely on the continent.

It was Amerigo Vespucci who realized Columbus had found a new land and in 1507 named it America. Texas A&M believes Indigenous peoples discovered America, not European explorers. Some evidence has been discovered that leads some scholars to believe that Polynesians were the first/ others believe Leif Ericson may have been the first to step on the continent, from Europe. However, to say Columbus “discovered” America would be a bit of a misnomer because there were many people already here.

American Archaeology’s Michael Bawaya states the Native Americans came here from Asia probably “no later than about 15,000 years ago. They walked across the Bering land bridge that connected Siberia and Alaska. In those days the ocean was much lower and the bridge was hundreds of kilometers wide. From there they traveled south to America, Mexico and South America. Remnants’ of these migrants were discovered in Mexico dating back 11,000 years. These people were known as Clovis people. If you travel Asia you can see the similarity in peoples of American Indian decent. In any case we still have Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day. Best of all we get another day off to enjoy our family and friends. God bless you and yours and have a fun, safe holiday.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

MY POINT OF VIEW: Labor Day, the beginning of another season

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by Gary Kennedy

Well, here we are again, Labor Day September 2, and for many Mainers the beginning of another season. Children begin another school year while mama makes all the necessary preparation for all the coming events. Dad starts thinking about wrapping up the home in preparation of whatever the Farmer’s Almanac has extrapolated using the wisdom of Father Time. Of course, there are some pleasurable preparations that will be shared by all like checking out the ice fishing equipment, cleaning the camp, if we were fortunate enough to have acquired one during our productive years.

Finding and developing the pleasures that our four seasons bring is extremely important to living in the state of Maine. Winter gives us everything, snow, skiing, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing and the acknowledgement and love of God. (Xmas), Spring gives us aspirations of warmer weather, poor man’s fertilizer for our future crops and my favorite, fresh season maple syrup. Umm, those pancakes are great on a cold spring morning.

Last but not least is the sowing of the seed for the late summer, early fall crops. Don’t you just love that fresh Maine corn on the cob! Then comes summer which allows the children to enjoy their youth and to build and store memories to pass on at story time during those cold, frosty fall evenings; stories that will perhaps be similar to those told to them by their parents. Time through labor produces unimaginable growth to story time, but none the same, hearing grows with telling. Last, but certainly not least, is winter, where we enjoy and curse the winter wonderland. For me winter is a time of reflexions. Did I do all that I could do for God, country and family?

I take a serious look at who I am and what I have done, good and not so good, and make my new year’s resolution encompassing all results from my evaluation. This is my Labor Day. I shall then go to work on helping my world grow.

Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrating social and economic achievements. It is celebrated in most of the world. In most cases the dates are different but most of us have basically the same theme. Mine is personal and mostly private while others are very open and openly shared. It really makes no difference, if you have respect for other opinions and themes. As Americans we are a very long way from this holiday’s origin, the “American Labor Management”, which was a result of poor working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. However, if you look at our current situation we are in a very different place. It’s an election year and full of many things to think of before we vote.

The working environment is one of them, once again. Also, all minorities all the way up through the middle class need to think with intellect, in a soap-opera atmosphere. We have our employment to look at, our morality to question and to deal with, as our fore fathers once did. Our future and our children’s future depend on who and what we are and do.

Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894. That was 130 years ago. Labor Day is in part a fight for the welfare of our country and the security of our families. Mainer’s have always been respected workers; it’s the work environment that has now become the issue.

Windsor Fair is open for Labor Day. Stay safe and God bless you and your family. Remember “it’s not what you take with you; it’s what you leave behind”. Keep America safe and strong. Our children need us. We are the example that they rely on.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

MY POINT OF VIEW: A humanitarian journey to the South Pacific

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Gary Kennedy and wife Julie, center, with many of the people they help with their mission. (photo courtesy of Gary Kennedy)

by Gary Kennedy

Well, Julie and I just arrived back home from our humanitarian mission in the South Pacific. Our plane trip both going and coming was a literal nightmare which took two days each way. Lay overs were the worst of it, sleeping in airport chairs, etc., is murder on your body.

All my misery being said, the mission was very successful and very satisfying for my wife and I. We left many very happy people wherever we would go. Since we are not paid humanitarians we received our reward from the people we serve. We get to share beautiful children and receive lots of hugs and kisses. That’s worth it all to us. A lollipop can bring about the most beautiful smile you ever would want to see. However, we gave much more than that, thanks to the generosity of folks like you. What was supposed to be a children only event turned out to include entire families.

Our mission this time included three orphanages, a medical clinic, a prison, two libraries, multiple small feeding events and the establishment of a small school at the Knights of Rizal headquarters, in Manila, Philippines. I have many photos and videos which I would be glad to share upon request. We will be doing it all again in December if we raise enough supplies for the events. We already have a couple of people who would like to volunteer. We love the help.

I must warn you once you begin doing these humanitarian missions you become addicted. It’s the most wonderful feeling for those of good heart. I have often wished I was rich so I could do more. I also wonder why those with greater than average means are not involved. Perhaps they don’t realize the natural high that giving to those in need will bring. Oh well, those who do open their hearts receive great rewards. There is so much love out there just waiting to be shared. It’s not what you take with you it’s what you leave behind.

I mentioned in my second paragraph that what we were doing was supposed to be for the children only; well my wife changed all that. We both have soft hearts but hers is perhaps a little more sensitive to situations. She sees things that I sometimes over look. The one example I will share with you is our visit to the indigenous people known as the Aetas Tribe. They are a tribe of people which predate the Spanish occupation of the Philippine Island, before the 1500s.

They are a slight, dark skinned race with dark curly/wavy hair. They are supposedly protected by Philippine government but that protection is very shoddy. Food is not adequate, clothing is bare necessity; very little foot wear, limited school supplies and many were running around naked. It took awhile to have them accept us but with time and lollipops we prevailed.

We prepared massive amounts of food for this visit which was a good thing as there were many people coming out of hiding during our visit. As I stated, this was suppose to be a children’s event. Julie, along with other volunteers we had with us, began passing out Styrofoam plates loaded with food to all the children. We had an interpreter giving instruction to the children about sitting and using the plastic fork and spoons we supplied.

Julie noticed dozens of adults hanging around the outside fence just watching the great food the children were eating. Finally she came to me and said, “honey, I think they are all hungry”. I replied, “Do you think we have enough to feed them all”? Julie replied that we had more than enough, so we invited them in. They were very hungry and very happy. After all were full of food and pineapple juice we gave out the gifts we had with us. We gave all the school supplies for the coming school year and the children all received footwear and some clothing. Before it all ended it was as if we were part of the community. Their translator taught them a little English which they imparted as we said goodbye and went out the gate. The words, “please come back, we love you”, rang out for all to hear. It brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful parting gift; we will return.

In closing I give a special thanks to all who gave, especially Old Navy and Loots, of Augusta. I would also give a very special thanks to Chris Lemieux at Staples Office Supply, of Augusta, for giving school supplies to 300 children for the year. They will never forget. God bless to all.

MY POINT OF VIEW: A day to honor all fathers

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by Gary Kennedy

In the year 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Presidential Proclamation honoring Fathers Day and designated the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. The Bible gives us an intimate view of the relationship between Christ, the Son, and God the father. (Yahweh, Jehovah) Jesus, by example, showed the relationship between himself and his father. We all know what that relationship was/is. The love and respect was like no other. However, this example gave us something to strive for. Although we could never achieve the love and respect that emanated from this relationship but the example was easy to see and to reach for. It’s an example that will live in our hearts forever.

Father’s Day goes back to the middle ages. It actually began as a Catholic holiday, which was a celebration of fatherhood. This celebration goes back to the Catholic churches celebration of the feast of St. Joseph. Father’s Day has been observed for hundreds of years but was not celebrated in the USA until the 20th century and that was most likely because of Mothers Day.

A young lady by the name of Anne Jarvis began lobbying in the very early 1900s. She did this primarily because she felt it was unfair to have a Mothers Day while overlooking ones father who was an important parent as well. He played an extremely important role in the family.

A point of interest would be that both of these holidays had their official celebrations in West Virginia. Mothers Day was first celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, and the first Father’s Day took place in Fairmont, West Virginia, on the 5th of July 1908. An important point brought father’s to the front by a mining disaster. The “Mononagh Mining Disaster”, which inspired Father’s Day, took the lives of 361 miners of which 250 were fathers. A woman named Grace Golden Clayton lost her father that day. It was taken very hard by this young lady. She spoke with her minister and asked if a special service could be held to honor all the fathers that lost their lives that day. Unfortunately, the first Father’s Day ceremony didn’t lead to the Father’s Day holiday. The reasons were the town was celebrating its Independence Day festival and the event was not advertised outside of the town. Communication in these times was very limited.

Three years later (1911), after the Fairmont tragedy, a Chicago social activist, Jane Addams sought recognition of Father’s Day but her attempt at this holiday failed as well.

The reality of Father’s Day eventually was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Dodd’s father was William Jackson Smart who raised six children and also fought in the Civil War. He was a single parent.

In 1972 President Richard Nixon signed into law a permanent recognition of Father’s Day. From this point on Father’s Day was a holiday which showed reverence to the father of the family. He would now be held at an even level with his significant other. It became as it should be, love and respect for one’s father. According to Hallmark, the premier in card production, the Father’s Day card sending even reached 72 million. In 2020 card sales exceeded $17 billion. That is one super sales event.

Long story short is Father’s Day, as with Mother’s Day, is about love and respect for ones parents. Parents spend their lives working and saving to afford us a better life. It seems with the birth of a child the purpose in life is no longer that new gun, fishing pole, vacation, cottage on the lake and other fanciful things that dreams are made of. With the advent of a new addition to the home the entire outlook gets turned off and a new game plan begins.

The new game plan is centered on the baby. Now father will take on more work, become very frugal and buy that life insurance policy, begin the educational plan for the entity he knows will be a genius. This takes many years, and loving sacrifices. Before he knows it, time has left him with gray hair and a wrinkled face. However, he probably has accomplished his goal. The child has reaped the benefit of a father’s hard work and love. All this was done with a loving heart. So this is a father that deserved to be celebrated at least once a year, don’t you agree? Happy Father’s Day Dad and God bless you.

MY POINT OF VIEW: The origin and history of Memorial Day

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A close-up view of a tombstone at the Arlington National Cemetery, marking the grave site of four unknown crewmen assigned to the battleship USS MAINE (BB 2). The Marine sank after exploding off the coast of Havana, Cuba, killing approximately 260 crewmen. The sabotaging of the main precipatated the American declaration of war against Spain in 1898.

by Gary Kennedy

Originally this date in time was named Decoration Day. A day of remembrance of those who died in service to our country. It was originally commemorated on May 30, 1868. It was to show our respect to those who gave their lives in the Civil War. This proclamation was given by General John A. Logan, of the Grand Army of this Republic, an organization of Union sailors and soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, in Washington, DC.

During the first national event former Union General and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield was the primary speaker. There were 5,000 volunteers that opted to help decorate the final resting places of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. It was here that the recognition of the fallen was realized and addressed. Other observances followed suit, however, the events held by the freed slaves was for the Union troops for obvious reasons. These were held in and around Charleston, South Carolina, for the most part.

New York was the first state to make this a legal holiday and at this point in time the holiday was addressed as Memorial Day. This all occurred in 1873. By the late 1800s many states had adopted this holiday and made it a state holiday after World War I. The holiday was considered a holiday for all who fell in battle while serving their country. Eventually, in 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Act which designated Memorial Day would be celebrated on the last Monday of May. That has held to this very day.

Many people, over time, have questioned what they consider the similarity between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. However, similar, they are very different. The intention of the Memorial Day holiday was/is to honor all service personnel who died during armed conflict. The Veterans Day holiday is to honor all veterans who have served our country with honor dead or alive.

In December 2000 the US Congress passed and signed into law, “The National Moment of Remembrance Act”. (P.L. 106-599), creating the thought of the people of the USA, the National Moment of Remembrance. This moment begins at 1:11 p.m., eastern time thus progressing one hour for each time zone. The thought here is for total silence for two minutes in remembrance and thanks. In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. At this time it was officially placed in the last Monday in May for observance.

This is the time we see thousands of flags and beautiful flowers. For many this is a sad time, a time to mourn. For those who have lost no one it’s a time for respect and thankfulness for their sacrifice. It was also at this time that Colonel John McCrae wrote the beautiful poem, In Flanders Fields, which led to the Poppies of that battle field to become the holiday’s treasured flower. I won’t write that poem here as you can pull it up on your computer. Moina Michael, a YMCA worker, inspired wearing the poppy by adorning one and giving many others away.

There are several “Do’s and Don’ts” relating to Memorial Day that I should mention. 1) Don’t say “Happy Memorial Day”, you can express your gratitude to all men and women who have served and we are proud to honor them. 2) Don’t thank current troops; you should avoid saying, “Thank you for your service”. 3) Don’t let politics keep you from rendering respect; we have been defended for more than two centuries. 4) Don’t let business greed be part of who you are on this day. Memorial Day is prideful but on its face not a happy occasion. You can wear a memorial button from May 1 until Memorial Day. The not wearing of white was a southern thing mostly because of the heat. It really doesn’t apply anymore. Just be tasteful to the event you are attending. Like all three-day weekends from work enjoy your family and friends; a prayer for those who gave it all is respectful and appropriate and it should come from your heart. God bless and have a happy and safe weekend. I will talk to veterans next week.

MY POINT OF VIEW: How did they come about the date for Christmas?

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by Gary Kennedy

Here it is December again, already, and 2023 is rapidly coming to an end. This is the month that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. The date of birth of Jesus is not actually stated in the gospel nor in any historical record. Biblical scholars believe his date of birth to be between 4 BC (the year King Herod died) and 6 AD (the year of the census of Quirinius).

The rationale behind the date December 25th was due to the date of Jesus crucifixion. Christians developed the idea that Jesus’ was born exactly nine months after March 25th, the traditional date of Jesus’ crucifixion. It was believed that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same date; the date of his birth was nine months later. For me this isn’t a logical explanation for this event but no one seemed to make a case against it.

The historical records state that Pope Julius in 350 AD asserted December 25th to be Christ’s birth date. This also is a dubious unfounded claim. There are other possibilities that I find more scientific. Going by the New Testament, Mathew 2:1 states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea in the time of Herod the King. Herod’s death would have been around 4 BC. A good guess here for Jesus’ birth could be around just before 4 BC. If you read John 2:20 you will find agreement between Luke and John. However, if you are truly looking for the year of Jesus’ birth, you’re in for a long haul as some arguments are centuries apart.

When I started this research, for pleasure only, I was looking only for a seasonal date. Nothing I had read in the past spoke of winter as such. Considering the geographical location of the birth of Christ you don’t have snow or rain as a marker so you need other things. I believe by now the actual month of Christ birth can be more or less figured out. The year of Christ’s birth is around 4 BC.

The historical record is too incomplete for any sort of accuracy regarding the year of his birth. December 25th is accepted as his month and day. It’s highly unlikely that is true but considering the lack of information and our need to celebrate his birth I suppose December 25th will have to do.

We do know and it should be acknowledged that it is more than likely Jesus was born closer to harvest time and not winter. There is mention of the shepherds watching over their sheep. When winter was about to appear the shepherds would go into the mountains and drive their flocks down to the low lands where it was warmer with more favorable foraging and shelter. Also, there was astronomical mention of the placement of stars. Some scientists have pinpointed September as a likely time for this event.

However, I believe we stopped looking for that particular answer a long time ago and decided if the good Lord felt it was of great importance he would have had it laid out more clearly. Perhaps he disliked birthdays as I do. For whatever reason we have accepted December 25th as the birthday of our lord, Jesus Christ. It is a time when we rejoice and are thankful that he was born, thus giving us the opportunity for everlasting life in paradise.

This year I hope all of you will spend time praying for our brothers and sisters in the world. Many are suffering and dying in a world of unrest. This is a world of plenty, without unity. Many have lost their way and need to find the path to righteousness. If you are a Christian then you believe in Christ. Christ is the righteousness from God. (1st Cor. 1:30) God paid the price for all of us (Rom 3:21-26). Being righteous literally means to be right. It’s a moral path with the Bible as a guide. I have always loved seeing that special glow on a Christians face. You can tell at a glance the person has a beautiful heart. I personally strive to join them in the place they exist. My prayer for everyone this Christmas season is to see that beautiful glow on more faces. It is a search that one must make in order to embrace the beauty of righteousness.

This year I for one ask all my fellow Christians to include the true beauty of Christmas with all the other gifts that are placed under the Christmas tree. It’s the one gift you don’t and can’t purchase. (Brotherly love) The poorest of us has this gift available for giving. Set the arrogant pride aside and develop and give the one thing that was given to and for you, LOVE. I am sure you will radiate with that glow I previously mentioned.

From my family to yours and I am sure all here at The Town Line newspaper’s staff and board of directors, wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas. May each and every one of you receive that wonderful and precious gift that I have spoken of and carry it into the New Year. Never forget those less fortunate then you.

Last but not least, remember our elderly and our veterans. Many of them are needy during these holiday times. They are all part of love and respect. God bless and keep you and yours safe. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

MY POINT OF VIEW: What brought Pilgrims to our shores and the first Thanksgiving

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by Gary Kennedy

The Mayflower traversed the Atlantic to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620, led by William Bradford. The reason for the journey was the pursuit of religious freedom. Protestantism was in its infancy. William Bradford was an English Puritan Separatist originally from the West Riding of Yorkshire in northern England. Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Protestant Reformation. Theology is the ordinary study of the nature of the divine, or more broadly, of religious belief. Back during these times there were so many hands on religion that I am surprised there is any sanity to it all; while just leaving the Crusades with Masonic influence, the Knights Templars and the then cruel Catholic Church. This was a time of land grabs and Godly exploration. The monks and friars had many very cruel priests in their flocks and dealt out extremely cruel punishments for any sort of disobedience.

The British and the Spanish ruled the seas during these times and they gobbled up all the known world in search of wealth and labor. All their acquisitions were placed in total subservience to their mother countries. People were totally inferior and had to give undivided religious obedience to their captors. This as we know will only last so long, and then the people will revolt; as they did in many areas of the world.

The cruelty of England brought the Pilgrims to our shores; and this began the story of the initial settlement here and the first Thanksgiving. We arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620, and would have perished if not for the Wampanoag Native people. They aided with our survival through the first winter, which took many of the settlers’ lives. After being taught how to plant using dried fish for fertilizer we had our first successful crop. There were 90 Wampanoag present for a feast of vegetables, turkey and fish and pudding for dessert. This is where the history of turkey began, as they were in abundance and easy to obtain during this time. Here in Maine they eventually became extirpated and were reintroduced in the 1980s. You never would have guessed that now. They are everywhere.

The complete history is a long and dark one and would take the entire newspaper to cover it all. Anyway, in 1620, 50 pilgrims and 90 Wampanoags celebrated. The feast lasted three days. I should mention only five women survived that first winter. Thanksgiving is celebrated both as a secular as well as a religious holiday. Many argue the story of this holiday and its insemination. One example would be the arrival of a Spanish fleet in 1565 to plant a cross to christen the new settlement of St. Augustine; 800 settlers shared a meal with the Native Timucuan people.

Probably the most notable of happenings would be that of Abraham Lincoln in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender mercy all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or suffers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation”. Veterans and the official creation of Thanksgiving began on the last Thursday of November.

So this is just bits and pieces of how Thanksgiving first began. Turkey evolved in many variations to the feast that it is today on November 23, 2023. It’s now a time to give thanks to God for all that he gives and a time for family and friends to get together and enjoy their blessings together, in peace and harmony. We are going through some hard times currently, so it would be a good time to reflect on our blessings. Also, again we should never forget those who gave it all so that we could be and remain free.

God bless you and yours and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

MY POINT OF VIEW: New veterans made every day

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by Gary Kennedy

November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson set November 11 aside as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. President Wilson stated, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations”. The day was to have a suspension of work beginning at 11:00 a.m. On June 4, 1926, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the end of World War I. The world’s worst war had come to an end; Armistice Day had begun.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the Eleventh of November of each year a legal holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. The intention of Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor those who served in World War I. After World War II and Korea, the 83rd Congress was urged by veteran organizations to change the word Armistice to Veterans. That is when (public law 380) was made effective (6-1-1954). November 11 directed the holiday to legally become Veterans Day.

So that tells us how it happened and when it happened but it was supposed to end with “The War of all Wars”, World War I. World War II slipped in with even greater death and destruction. Then come the Korean War in June 29, 1950, which once again brought about more death and destruction leaving widows and orphans and thousands of broken hearted parents and friends. Many veterans became veterans again. The same occurred with Vietnam.

The world never learning from history, decided to give it a go again in the Middle East which also left voids in many family units. World War I left us 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. World War II, military deaths were between 21-25 million which included those in captivity; those we couldn’t bring home. Korea wasn’t quite so bad, only 1.9 million military casualties. Then came Vietnam, which had 58,200 U.S. military losses. Looks like we are beginning to learn our lesson. We seem to be giving less and less of our precious resources, our sons and daughters.

Last but certainly not least is the multiple conflicts and incursions in the Middle East, which have taken nearly 10,000 of America’s finest. Not too bad you say; well, I guess I should mention there have been more service related suicides than there are from combat in these Middle East conflicts. Why is that?

Diminished public support for the country’s ongoing wars, a sexual assault epidemic in the military ranks, a masculine military culture (consider hazing and other demeaning events). Last but certainly far from the least there has been more civilian deaths then military deaths. Wow! So, as you can see there is a lot to all of this, as well as the creation of a veteran. So, I would like you to ponder on my key word SUPPORT.

“The making of a soldier is the creation of a Veteran”. He or she went to school with you, and played sports with you, went to church with you and perhaps may have even married you. He/she is one of us now and forever, in the good and the bad times. When the uniform comes off and the wrinkles begin to form and steps are not always steady, they most likely will end up needing your help and that of the Veterans Administration. When they reach out don’t let them fall. Be there for them as they were for you. We, in these United States of America, walk tall and free because of their sacrifice. Try to understand how they feel if they are ignored, especially in an hour of need.

As I always say, “it isn’t what you take with you; it’s what you leave behind”. The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away, Job 1:21, thou Shalt Not Kill, you shall not murder, is one of the 10 Commandments in the Torah; the Quran states, if any one slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. These references are for individuals and expectance is expected to be acknowledged by the individual thus if adhered to will reach the collective.

If a veteran is given a fair shake he or she will be just fine. As longs as we don’t follow the Good Books there will be veterans. The answers to all are there. It is your duty to search. God bless and have a happy and safe Veterans Day with those you care for, and God bless the veteran who gave his/her all for each and every one of us.

MY POINT OF VIEW: It’s Labor Day weekend

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by Gary Kennedy

On September 4, we celebrate Labor Day in the United States. It’s a public holiday which is celebrated on the first Monday in September. Basically it honors the American labor movement and the contributions the working class has made to strengthen prosperity, laws and the well being of our great country. For most of us it is a long weekend in which we have an extra day to enjoy family and friends. Some of us will take short trips to camp and also to enjoy friends over a campfire with hotdogs and smores. Usually the weather is at its nicest at this time of year; at least I have always found that to be true. I hope I haven’t jinxed it by predicting good weather. For me the very best time for vacation was the last two weeks of August and first two weeks of September. Those have proven to be great weeks for me.

Historically, Labor Day has been a national holiday since 1894, when then-President Grover Cleveland signed the law that Congress passed designating the first Monday in September a holiday for workers. The labor unions of the time pressed to gain recognition of both the contributions and the mistreatment of the working class of the time. This as we know became a very big deal in our growth.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in N.Y.C. with large parades and barbecues. It did not begin as a national holiday but as a self activity in the streets. The Workers Movement and the Socialist party were very close during this time. It isn’t hard to see the comparison. Some good things do bear roots out of such as this. One stupid expression of the times was the wearing of white. Some historians make note that bright clothing was worn by affluent groups who could afford to leave town for warmer climates when the leaves began to change. It became a socially expected norm that the poor, who didn’t have money to take fall and winter vacations, shouldn’t adorn white after the summer season.

That sounds absurd to us today but the mindset was a lot different back then. Class was very important to those of the time. It became a volcano waiting to erupt. Eventually it did. The advent of this ridiculous rule was brought about by the affluent ladies of the time. They wanted to be recognized for their wealth and alienated from the poor classes. We still have some of that today. We seem to push forward in some areas and backward in others.

The magazine, Country Living is a very good read if you are interested in a narration of the Real Meaning of Labor Day, by Maggie Horton & Terri Robertson, updated 7-23-2023. Oregon was the first to declare Labor Day as a holiday. Labor Day is a product of the Industrial Revolution. It is a hard won example of how far workers rights have come since the Industrial Revolution. True it is a three-day weekend celebrating the conclusion of summer with a cookout with hotdogs and burgers. Also, it has become a great weekend for shopping; everything seems to be marked down. You can look forward to it every first Monday of the month of September. The date does change. In 2024 it will be held on September 2. In 2025 it will be held on September 1 and in 2026 it will occur on September 7. Now you have future dates for your calendar.

According to the Readers Digest, the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries brought a vast array of jobs and commerce to the USA. What it didn’t bring was appropriate wages, salaries, safety regulations nor common sense regarding to the length of a work week. These were the days of 12-hour days and seven days a week jobs. Also, the exploitation of children ran rampant. There were many accidents and many broken hearts. Through the suffering, Labor Unions began to fight for the American worker. Child Labor was addressed, working conditions were addressed, and poor pay was also addressed along with civilized working hours. Strikes and rallies where organized and sometimes turned violent. Eventually the realization of all these issues were acknowledged and addressed. The American workers’ contribution to the growth and welfare of the country eventually became realized. The holiday was adopted and the American worker began to receive what was deserved.

Next year, remind me to tell you a little about May Day which is similar but perhaps more colorful. For now I think I have given you an idea which you can pursue if you have an interest. Remember this; we have come very close to the adoption of Socialism. That is one step from Communism and if that scares you, it really should. These are precarious times, times in which we should be ever vigilant. When you go down that road it’s very hard to return. The proof is all around you. This is fruit for thought and not meant to throw a wrench in your holiday weekend.

God bless all our readers and have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend. Oh, don’t forget our veterans; after all they have always been part of this.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.