Manchester Homecoming - A Chance to Reflect And Celebrate

If you've turned on the tv, or surfed the internet, or read the paper lately, you know it's been a somber week for the United States of America.  Ten years ago this weekend, our nation was changed forever by the cowardly terrorists attacks on innocent Americans in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. 

I remember the horror and disbelief we all experienced like it was yesterday.  Our parents' generation will never forget where they were when President Kennedy was assassinated; I believe that our generation will be forever scarred by the memory of that terrible day. 

Can you believe it's already been a decade?  

And yet the memories of that day stand out so clearly.  I remember those brave first responders racing to the Twin Towers, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save others. 

I remember the tearstained faces of New Yorkers as they posted pictures of their missing loved ones near Ground Zero. 

I remember the horror of watching Pentagon employees  stumbling from the smoking ruins and knowing that there could be no survivors where that gaping hole continued to burn. 

And I remember the bravery of those airline passengers in Pennsylvania, who decided that they were not going to let the terrorists attack the White House, even though they must have known what their fate would ultimately be. 

I remember the days and weeks following the attacks, watching, wondering and worrying if there would be more, maybe this time in Missouri. It was an eerie time, full of fear, paranoia and sadness. 

But there's something else I remember about 9/11, one small glimmer of good that came out of the tragedy.  Nine-eleven united our country.  Suddenly we were all Americans first, and geography became a secondary issue.  From the West Coast to the East Coast, the South, the North, the Midwest and every town in between, people pulled together to help those families torn apart by tragedy. 

Blood drives were held, and people from all walks of life gave generously to the Red Cross and other fundraising efforts to help our fellow Americans.  We were all in this together. 

And even after the initial shock of 9/11 faded a bit, and the rebuilding and healing processes began, people reached out to help each other-not just those directly affected by the tragedy-but others in their own communities as well.  There was eye contact, and small talk between strangers; the holding of a door for the next person, the offer of "you go first, you just have a couple of things" in the checkout line. 

I think we all realized how precious life is, and how important is was to just be NICE, because any moment could really be our last. 

And while some of that has faded over time, I still believe that Americans have taken that lesson to heart.  While there will always be the jerk that cuts you off in traffic because he's more "important" than you are, or the obnoxious person who carries on a loud cell phone conversation in the doctor's office or restaurant, there are many more who would stop to help you change a flat, or offer to give you a hand when you're juggling groceries, or volunteer their time to help with a community project or fundraiser. 

I see the good in the good folks of Manchester every day. I am grateful to be an American, and grateful to be a part of this community as well.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how time goes so quickly.  Ten years.  Wow.  And while we remember the past, and hopefully learn from it, we also look to the future.  And this weekend, we can do both. 

Manchester Homecoming starts Friday night, and it's the 25th anniversary of the celebration.  I am a newbie on the Homecoming Committee this year and I can assure you it's going to be a blast!  And yes, along with the fun, rides, fabulous food, games, prizes (check out the Manchester Homecoming Booth!), music and local vendor attractions, there will be a moment of silence at on Saturday night at 7 pm dedicated to the victims of 9/11. 

And on Sunday, the actual anniversary of the attacks, there will be a tribute at the Veterans Memorial in Margaret Stoecker Park (222 Henry Ave) at 8:46 am.   A moment to reflect on the past, and then look ahead to the future.  

And on a final note, don't forget to stop by the Citizens' Corps Council booth (it's also my first year on that committee!)  We have lots of really cool raffle prizes, a duckpond prize pool for the kiddos and info on joining CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Citizens' Police Academy and VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service).

There are so many ways to get involved in our community and make a difference; I encourage you to explore the opportunities that are out there.  Because we have to learn to pull together and watch out for each other.

So come on out to this weekend and join in Manchester's 25th Homecoming celebration. Pray for those families who still ache over the loss of a loved one, and pray that something like this will never again happen in our country.  But look to the future too, and appreciate the lessons we've had to learn.  

Love your neighbor, help when you can and treat them like you want to be treated.  And smile.  Hug your family and friends. Enjoy every minute.  Because time passes by so quickly, and before you know it, another decade will have gone by.