In the long ago my husband and I took two of our grandchildren on a vacation to Washington D.C. and New York City. We began the journey in D.C. visiting all of the memorials on the National Mall and talking about the people that they honored with the youngsters. They understood the gravity of the Vietnam memorial and placed their tiny fingers on the names of people that I had known who had died in the war.
My grandchildren were filled with questions about our nation’s capitol and they rose early from their slumbers each day so that we might have many hours to visit all of the historic sites. They became adept at using the public transportation system and eagerly listening to the stories from their grandfather who has always been a history buff. Somehow even at a very young age they understood the gravity and importance of the places that we visited.
Our final destination before catching a train to New York City was Arlington Cemetery. My husband schooled them on the solemnity of the place before we embarked on a tour that took us around the cemetery stopping at the gravesites of the famous people whose final resting place is there. They quietly said prayers at the grave of President John F. Kennedy and whispered their questions as we headed to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Somehow they quickly understood that this part of our journey required decorum and honor. They were taken my the sight of all of those crosses representing souls who had once served in the military for the United States.
As we climbed the steps to find a seat at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier the two young ones assumed very serious countenances. Neither of them had yet endured death but somehow they understood the gravity of the moment and stopped their childish antics. There was not a sound of anyone’s voice as the ceremony of the changing of the guard took place. Even the babies in their mother’s arms were quiet and respectful.
Those two grandchildren are now adults and they are just beginning their work life with that same kind of seriousness. They struggle with low salaries that barely cover the rent for their residences but they rarely complain. They are as wonderful and determined as they were in that cemetery so long ago.
I thought of them on Veterans Day and how proud I was that they rose to the solemn occasion at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. One of them had become an Eagle Scout before heading to college where he earned a degree in communications and now works in sales. The other was working at a law firm in New York City on her way to eventually attending law school. They both represent the future of our nation and as such I feel confident that the United States will be in good hands even after I am gone.
Like many young Americans in their twenties these two see the world a bit differently than we did in our youth. The world and our nation has changed over the years just as it was always meant to do. Our democracy is evolving even as there is a kind of tension between those who want to limit its possibilities and those who imagine ways for more and more people to enjoy the American dream.
On this past Veteran’s Day I found myself thinking not just of those who once served in the military but those who are just beginning the journey of being an American worker and voter. I remembered the incredible journey that I took with two of my seven grandchildren in the long ago and I contrasted their reverence for the United States with the self centered disregard of both our president and the Secretary of Defense.
On the very day of honoring our veterans these two demonstrated the depth of their lack of honor. On the one hand the president spent more time talking about his vanity projects than speaking of the valor and devotion of every person who has ever served in the military. Then the Secretary of Defense had to be corrected for his uncouth behavior at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He and his group seemed to be having a jolly old time snapping photos, talking and laughing so noticeably that the young soldier at the tomb had to follow the duty of his post and remind them of the proper decorum.
I long for the day when honor and respect are returned to our highest ranking leaders. I am weary of the constant whining of our president and the showboating of our Secretary of Defense. Somehow they always leave me with the feeling that they care more about themselves and their legacies than about the people of the United States. Even two small children were able to sense how they needed to behave in a sacred place. Surely one day we will return to electing serious people who better understand the assignment we give them with our votes. One day perhaps our leaders will become serious again.
