Yesterday was the "real" Veterans' Day--which is the anniversary of the Armistice. Since it fell on a Sunday, VD is being observed today.
Observed by whom? I had to go to work. In one way, I can't complain: After all, I am off on holidays I don't celebrate. On the other hand, I am sure there are a number of veterans among the staff and faculty of my college, and the university of which it is a part. Not to mention that some of my students have been veterans, or were even active military personnel while they took my classes.
Anyway, my ride yesterday included a tribute. On a gorgeous but chilly autumn day, I decided to ride to Connecticut. I normally don't do the ride with much, if any, of a rationale, but I did have one, sort of, yesterday.
Of course, if I only wanted to go to a veterans' memorial, there are plenty of those in the city where I live. But at least I knew that if I rode to Greenwich, I could spend some time at its memorial, right in the middle of its common.
The trees, the light, the color all seemed perfect for my moment of silence and meditation. I never knew any of the people whose names are inscribed on the memorial, but I could offer them a remembrance, however small and brief.
I guess we can't do much more for anyone, however he or she dies.
Oh, and I could be thankful--as I was--that I could ride home again. They couldn't.
Observed by whom? I had to go to work. In one way, I can't complain: After all, I am off on holidays I don't celebrate. On the other hand, I am sure there are a number of veterans among the staff and faculty of my college, and the university of which it is a part. Not to mention that some of my students have been veterans, or were even active military personnel while they took my classes.
Anyway, my ride yesterday included a tribute. On a gorgeous but chilly autumn day, I decided to ride to Connecticut. I normally don't do the ride with much, if any, of a rationale, but I did have one, sort of, yesterday.
Of course, if I only wanted to go to a veterans' memorial, there are plenty of those in the city where I live. But at least I knew that if I rode to Greenwich, I could spend some time at its memorial, right in the middle of its common.
The trees, the light, the color all seemed perfect for my moment of silence and meditation. I never knew any of the people whose names are inscribed on the memorial, but I could offer them a remembrance, however small and brief.
I guess we can't do much more for anyone, however he or she dies.
Oh, and I could be thankful--as I was--that I could ride home again. They couldn't.
