11-9-2016 Announcement: Post Election & Veterans Day

11-9-2016

It is fitting just days after our election of the President of the Unites States, that we pause and recognize the brave men and women of the armed forces.  November 11th is Veterans Day.  It is more than a day off.  It is more than a long weekend. It is a day we honor all of those individuals who have answered the call to duty.  

Regardless of what side of the aisle you align yourself with politically, regardless of your position on a given conflict or war, irrespective of your position on a president's foreign policy, it is important, in my opinion, that we as a country support the men and women of the armed forces.  

One of the hallmarks of this great country is that every four years we hold an election for the President of this country.  Power is not seized by revolution, or by a military coup, but rather a democratic process that allows all citizens of voting age in this country to exercise their right to vote.   Minus the rhetoric, every four years we have a peaceful transfer of power.  We all have a voice, but we can’t control who wins the election; we can control how we respond to the outcome.  If you are happy with the result, express that happiness with humbleness.  If you are saddened by the outcome, express that sadness in a positive way.  We all need to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

In the midst of our presidential election, we stand ready to honor our nation’s veterans this Friday.  From the brave souls who fought in the Civil War, to the brave men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and all those in between; it is important we recognize all of them on November 11th.   Some countries have mandatory military service; the United States has all volunteer force, and that can never be taken for granted.

In this country, we can trace the beginning of our democracy to the very founding of our nation. It began with a call to arms, where citizens from all across this country, from towns like Carlisle, and Concord, and cities like Boston ushered aside their peaceful life to fight for the cause of freedom and democracy.  As the adage goes,  "freedom is not free."  It comes at a cost, and sometimes it is paid with the ultimate sacrifice.  Veterans Day means different things to different people.  Those who have served in the military, have family and friends currently serving, or those who have lost a loved one in the military, will have a very different perspective on the importance of Veterans Day.

I am proud to say that my grandfather, uncle, and father all served in the military.  My grandfather parachuted into France the night before the D-Day invasion.  Sometimes I try to put myself in his shoes and try to imagine what was going through his mind, after jumping from the plane while floating to the ground.  He was armed with little more than an educated guess where the enemy was.  He was wounded in the war but survived.  My uncle was shot in the jungles of Vietnam. He was wounded but survived.   I wonder if I would have the courage to do as they did.

It is not just about the men and women in uniform, however. It is also about the sacrifice of military families along with the millions of veterans who live humbly among us.  You pass them at the mall.  You pass them at the grocery store.   They are living in your town, and you pass future veterans here in our own halls.

While it is true that the popular vote in this country was split nearly 50/50, we must begin the healing process of a divided nation.  It is imperative that we express compassion, tolerance, and hope.  Let us stand together.  Let us serve as a model for others.  I invite you to wake up every day with the intention of contributing to the well-being of others.  

Sincerely,

Michael J. Mastrullo

Principal

CCHS