Senior Moments
Jim Cassidy
Senior Moments
Jim Cassidy
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It is the time of year when the Earth comes alive with blooming aromatic flowers and trees and the sweet smell of renewed life in the morning air. May is Mother's Day---the most important and revered women in our lives. It is also a time to be reflective and thoughtful as we approach another Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember our own mortality,our departed loved ones but mostly to honor and to never forget the over one million men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the noble cause of protecting and defending our freedoms and liberties since the founding of this great country. These same young patriots who answered the call to duty and honor when their country called, were the ones who never had the chance to raise a family, to see their babies grow, to play with their children and grandchildren and to grow old together in the comfort of home and love. To this we mourn their loss but we also honor their bravery and sacrifice. Thank God for our military, past and present. We pray they be delivered from harms way and returned to their loved ones. We must continue to protect and provide for these heroic, but vulnerable troops as they fight in the Middle East. God protect them all. Most
of our Seniors remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and
the start of World War II, like it happened only
yesterday. This year's Memorial Day will see a
special celebration for those who fought and died in this
great war for finally, after over sixty years a
magnificent monument, dedicated to the efforts of
"the Greatest Generation" will be completed and
dedicated to their honor in Washington, D.C.. World War II because of the size, scope and duration of the conflict had staggering casualties and it is noteworthy to mention them. It was a World War that saw fifty-million of its people die in six years of war. The United States had over sixteen million men and women in uniform 300,000 killed in battle, over one hundred fifteen thousand other deaths and more than six hundred seventy-thousand wounded in the cause of freedom. World War II despite it's horrific and brutal casualties likely shaped this country and indeed the world into what it is today---hopefully a better place. It
is just and right and overdue that such a monument to
"the Greatest Generation" be created. God Bless
and protect our troops---those young men and women who
are still protecting our freedoms despite the risks,
bless their families and God Bless America. TOWN MEETING Another right of spring occurs in May when the oldest form of Town Government takes place---the Town Meeting. In North Andover it occurs May 10th. Senior citizens have the best record as a group in voting in elections but Town Meeting is more demanding since the meetings are held in the evening and it is more difficult for seniors to come out in the dark hours. However, I do urge seniors to make the effort to participate in one of the oldest forms of Democracy in the town by attending and casting your own votes. Often times articles are decided by the vote of a few special interest group and not the general public. One of the interesting articles being presented this year that could correct this problem is Article 10 "Citizens Participation Mechanism" which simply stated would provide for a process to give people the right to vote at the ballot box in order to reverse a tax hike passed by the Town Meeting. It is being introduced by a distinguished Senior Citizen, Albert Movsesian, a longtime North Andover resident, a member of the Board of Directors of the Council Of Aging, and a well known advocate for the rights of Senior Citizens. Al a good and special friend of mine has no axe to grind at these meetings and I support his efforts completely. He says,"what an initiative petition and referendum process does is put important decisions back in the hands of more of the people. We have a great town but we need to promote more citizen participation". Movsesian adds, "if a citizen has an issue they should be able to bring it directly to voters". Town
Meeting as usual should prove to be another lively and
entertaining evening. Send your questions
comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com |
May is a month of
conflicting emotions, both happy and sad but hopefully as
it ends is motivational and inspirational.