The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Heart Of A Nation

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

31 May 2006

Memorial Day, like many of our national holidays, are a time to reflect on a special occasion or event, and as I have witnessed so many times, it brings out the heart of a nation.

It seems like the more a community has sacrificed the more thankful and service oriented it's citizens are.

In La Harpe, where two sons lives have been given to the war in Iraq, and many veterans before that, patriotism is at a high.

You see it in every community function, from school graduations, to the annual parades, to the recent Memorial Day's service where a couple hundred attended this Monday. Although many of us claim not to be teachers, me included, we indeed are.

We teach others, whether they are our own family or not, by the words we choose, the programs we attend, the importance we put on things such as honoring our flag, our country, and those who serve.

We also influence people, sometimes, in a negative way by what we fail to do.

It was like that in my children's classes at Southern as well. One of my children had a very competitive class, but the other one was in a very unmotivated class. They failed to work together or accomplish anything and spent most of their time in disagreement.

On the other hand, everyone of the students in the other class went out for chorus in Junior High, because no one wanted to be left out.

They were that way in their grades, as well, and in volunteering, and in sports.

We think we are not an influence by what we do or don't do, but we are.

We are so fortunate to live in communities who strive to be good citizens, and who take time to put on Memorial Day services, to put out flags on the city streets, and on the veterans graves.

It encourages us all to be better citizens.

One of my co-workers took all of her nine young grandchildren to the Biggsville Memorial service and they watched the American Legion march in, and scouts who had put 180 flags on veterans graves. The children were learning to honor those who died protecting our freedom. They were being taught to have a heart for others.

The heart of a nation begins with you and me, as we follow through with one good act after another.