After looking through the pages of this year's calendar, I've come to the conclusion that it's time -- past time -- for America and Americans to again pay special tribute and recognition to "The Father of Our Country."
Does this year's generation even know who we're talking about when we mention "Father of Our Country"? Sometimes I wonder, considering how unfamiliar the youth are studying the history of our great republic. Yes, that's right, we are not a democracy; we're a republic.
It was appropriate those father words were chosen to describe our first President. Not only was Commander Washington the leader who brought the long and bitter Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion, he also was chosen to be our first President. It was the wisdom of other leaders in the newly forming nation who made that selection and Washington did not disappoint. He set the standards for future presidents to which, unfortunately, many have failed to measure up. He also wisely refused a third term for the office.
For many years Washington was honored on his birthday, February 22, each year. Not so today. By the time you read this, you will have "observed" his birthday on Feb. 16, at which time you also paid tribute to all the presidents who have served during the past 200-plus years.
The national Washington's birthday recognition was changed years ago by a Congress that decided it should be "observed" (note that word) on a Monday. They also added the other presidents, thus making it "Presidents' Day."
Believe me, I am not opposed to recognizing our past presidents, especially Abraham Lincoln and others who provided the leadership which has preserved our nation and helped guide it to become the greatest self-governing body in the history of mankind. But I strongly believe "The Father of Our Country" deserves his own special recognition, not grouped with that of all the others. Presidents' Day could be scheduled during another month, one that doesn't have a national holiday, for instance.
Check your calendars and your almanacs! You will find special days for every type of mention, including many historical religious observances with which I have no problem. Some calendars even list Canadian special days. We also pay more attention to Valentine's Day, just past, and, though it is not a holiday, it holds a special place in our lives. Special days commemorate about every subject known to mankind from Popcorn Day, Hamburger Day, Linen Handkerchief Day, Eat More Chick Day, and so forth. We can probably anticipate an Eradicate Chigger Day, which could require extension to several weeks or the entire summer.
As an aside, I applaud the idea of Sen. Kim Hendren, who proposes tackling cursive writing in schools. Judging from the penmanship I have seen down through the years at the newspaper, especially my own scribbling, it seems like a logical idea that everyone should be able to write a readable sentence. I guess I'm really an advocate of the "readin', writin' and 'rithmetic" principle. Add history, too!
Teaching the mechanics of our government should be a definite requirement, not just a pass over to remember a few days but an in-depth study of how we became the freedom-loving people we are and how that freedom can be eroded. Honestly, there are those who believe we could evolve into a different system of government very easily if knowledge of and respect for our way of life is not appreciated and preserved.
The same could be said for a more intensive study of the history of our state, Arkansas. How little we really know, sometimes too late, to appreciate that we have evolved from "The Bear State" to the "Land of Opportunity" to the present "Natural State."
Back to the original idea of this 'cuff: It's time to backtrack a bit and honor George Washington, who really is "The Father or Our Country."
A special recognition could be called "Presidents' Day." Of course, it would involve another Monday "holiday," which I'm sure the feds would endorse, and also a time for Presidents' Day sales. How about having it on the first Monday of August, a month that has no holidays? That would be a month from celebrating the Fourth of July and a month until Labor Day. Do you suppose our senators and representatives would be the leaders in creating a little history by getting us back on track? Just wondering!
Dodie Evans is the former owner and editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 02/18/2015