Freedom is a precious thing.
We’ll honor those who paid the price to keep us free at the end of the month, but it’s never too early to start.
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America
Heartbreak and history
It was just another Tuesday, and I was just another 15-year-old sophomore in high school.
My mind had little regard for anything except girls, sports, what I’d eat for lunch and how I’d get through math class.
I didn’t have a cell phone or a driver’s license.
I was nowhere near New York City or the World Trade Center.
Terrorism was just a word.
I’m 32 now. Things are different.
I know you might skim this story on your cell phone. I know you might be too young to remember what happened.
Maybe you weren’t even born.
Maybe all you know about Sept. 11, 2001, came from what you’ve seen on social media or heard in history class.
My friend wrote a column about Sept. 11 last week, in which she made a wonderful point about what I remember most from the the day’s aftermath. I’ve thought about you since I read it. I thought about you again this morning, when I saw an Instagram post from a history teacher who had students interview someone who has a clear memory of what happened 17 years ago today to help them see a different picture of one of America’s most disasterous days.
I’ll never forget what unfolded in those hours.
If you can’t remember, and you have a minute to spare, I’d like to try to take you to a time when the history you’ve heard was just heartbreak. (more…)
About travelers
I had been on the road just shy of a week, and gone hundreds of miles through four states when we stopped to eat breakfast at a place called The Bear Trap. (more…)
A look back on a weird month
July was a roller coaster of a month — full of ups and downs — so it should be fun to look back. (more…)
A tough, rewarding task
They said it couldn’t be done, but it’s done. (more…)
What does it mean to be American?
During today’s Fourth of July festivities, I am stuck at home with the police scanner because everyone else is out of town.
I can’t venture outside of the scanner’s range, but I’ve had a lot of time to think.
I’ve spent most of the day watching “America: The Story of Us” on the History Channel so I thought about some of the things being an American actually means to me. (more…)
An open letter to elected officials
Dear elected officials and future candidates,
I am a 28-year-old American citizen. I have a four-year degree from a reputable university. I have a job, and I am also a registered voter with the power to provide you with yours.
What I am about to tell you may not be the same feeling your constituents have, but I bet it’s not far off.
Opening (holi)day
The 2011 edition of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is in the books and the season is into its first week, but there is still one issue begging to be addressed.
Prayers and politics (Jan. 20, 2009)
Somebody once said there are two things you should never talk about with people: politics and religion. If that’s true, brace yourselves, because — with all due respect to that anonymous orator of conversational etiquette — I’m about to discuss both in one post.