Posted by
Jon's Place on Tuesday, January 01, 2008 12:22:28 AM
I trust you all navigated the holidays with much laughter and aplomb. Which is to say, I hope you all had a great Christmas, or if not that, a great Hanukah.
I and Mrs. J celebrated in appropriately cold weather where the fire in the fireplace had a truly functional appreciation felt by all. The victuals as you might well imagine were deliciously served up: that’s what happens when your mom and your mother-in-law do the cooking. A tip of the hat must be given to my sister whose humor and patience helped it all happen. And our Christmas Eve dinner wouldn’t have been satisfying or complete without our wonderful old friends whose wit, charm, and conversation are always coveted.
But on a particular evening, when I was relaxing to a well played football game on the upstairs, I happened downstairs for a moment and caught a portion of the Kennedy Center Honors awards for achievement in the arts. I admit I didn’t catch the whole thing, but I did see Martin Scorsese, Steve Martin, Diana Ross, and Leon Fleisher receive well deserved recognition for their contributions to the American experience as expressed in the arts. (It was relayed to me that the tribute to Brian Wilson was equally moving.) And while watching I had a couple or 3 thoughts: 1) You know you’ve made it if you're sitting in the theater box next to President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. 2) If you’re invited to a gala that the President and his wife are attending, well, by definition that is a Black-Tie affair, and again, you’re on a five-star registry. 3) As fine a gala as this Kennedy Center Honors awards affair is, I was thinking where is the USO tour?
It seems too long since Bob Hope hosted a USO event that was broadcast to the nation (
http://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/). Didn’t we all use to gather round and celebrate the service, sacrifice, and heroism right along with Bob Hope and those who traveled with him. Could anything be more appropriate, deserved, and uplifting this year, and next year, and the year after? Yes, the USO still works hard at its task at supporting our troops by giving all the entertainment cheer it has to offer. The contributions this past year by so many are wonderful (http://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/2007tourschedule/).
Yet, as I sit here typing this, and knowing that we do not today have anyone of Bob Hope’s stature, I wonder where are the mega American celebrities? Who has the gumption, resolve, and love of country, regard for the men and women who protect her, who has what it takes to get up, go out, and bring smiles, past deserving, to our troops. Not to put any pressure--as if I could--on Steve Martin (and I don’t know what his politics are, but then should that matter?), but he could certainly put a smile on our serving men and women, but then he’s not the only one who could is he. And I certainly see no reason why the big four networks, or for that matter why the cable news channels couldn't broadcast from Germany, South Korea, Bosnia, Afghanistan, or yes, Iraq, or for that matter wherever our troops may be stationed.
So while we’re watching football tomorrow on January 1st, 2008, remember who protects and secures our freedom; let us remember those who make our holiday meals possible: Those who stand in harms way so that we can clink our Champaign glasses, toast, laugh and enjoy the warmth given from our hearth. Say a prayer for our men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!
P.S. You must read the letter (
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/66df8d07-72bb-4f0f-a966-d3f014286395) from General Petraeus to his troops who have executed the miraculous turnaround in Iraq.
Happy New Year,
Jon.Nine