September is an important month. One reason is that it is a transition period when summer changes into autumn. Just the other day on a side road I often take rather than the main road I saw an unusual number of birds gathered in a patch of bottom land along a creek where some cattle grazed among stubble and grassy patches. To me it meant autumn had arrived or was very near. I learned from grandfathers and a father who were farmers and outdoorsmen that a close watch on differences in weather, cloud patterns and animals will reveal coming changes.
On my Reagan Ranch calendar for September, I see important current dates and also dates of former events. One is on Friday, Sept. 2, V-J Day (1945), official signing of the end of the war with Japan. Finally, the most destructive war in history came to an official end. Thus this month gives important lessons.
Sunday, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day – also Grandparents Day! – and how important it is for the strength and safety of a nation for citizens to be patriotic and united. It also makes us realize it is important who citizens elect to positions in government service and for schools to teach our children to appreciate and love our country.
Constitution Day falls on Sept. 16, Friday, this year, and it is timely and beneficial to emphasize and inform citizens, especially young people, the meaning and importance of the Constitution upon which our republic is founded. In the period of WW II when I attended classes these important days were emphasized and taught far more than today.
On Sunday, Sept. 18, POW/MIA Recognition Day is remembered. This day is special to me as I am a veteran of Korea and Vietnam. In these wars the enemy kept our captured troops in prison for years while endless and fruitless discussions were carried on between the former opposing forces. We must never allow members of our Armed Forces to be treated so badly in the future.
Our nation was designed to be led not by an elite group of leaders with great power over the citizens but by we the people who should wisely select and put into office candidates who will honor their oaths of office and thus keep our republic firmly anchored on the Constitution and rule of law.
