Strange Things One Learns from the Calendar

OK, so can we get a show of hands... how many people knew that we're supposed to celebrate "Patriot Day" on Monday?  Anyone... anyone... bueller...

As a proud native of Boston, I know Patriots' Day as April 19th (or the third monday in April).  On this statewide holiday in Massachusetts (and its former territory, Maine), the Boston Marathon is run, the Red Sox always play at Fenway at 11:00am (hopefully concluding in time to see the Marathon leaders head through Kenmore Square to the finish line at Copley Square), and reinactments of the Battles of Lexington and Concord (and Paul Revere's ride) occur. 

Three different calendars in my home, however, are insistent on declaring a new "Patriot Day."  Thankfully, the declaration wasn't part of the wholesale abrogation of the U.S. Constitution otherwise known as the USA PATRIOT Act... but it's nearly as bad.  Of the few things Congress has accomplished in the past five years, one was the prompt passage (25 Oct 2001 in the House, 30 Nov 2001 in the Senate) of a joint resolution to commemorate the September 11 attacks each year with a day of remembrance and flags flown at halfstaff. 

I don't mean to dishonor the innocent people who lost their lives or suffered injuries that day or in the aftermath.  On the other hand, I don't think we needed scarce congressional and presidential action to create a semi-holiday out of that tragedy. Remember, cry, get angry, and take action to undo the damage that continues in this country from those events.  Just never let September 11 become a "rah rah proud to be amurkin" day.  Thanks.