This past week we heard a lot about heroes. As we remembered the 25th year of 9/11, we all told stories and recognized how many people sacrificed something to help people in the midst of tragedy. It is a heartwarming thing to know that people all over the world were willing to stand with us as we fought against the evil of terrorism. The phrase we spoke so often was “Never Forget.” Our national history is one of moments and events that constantly shape us, and if we choose to forget what has made us who we are, we will slide back into lesser versions of ourselves. That’s why libraries and museums and memorials are so necessary – we cannot allow ourselves to forget lest we repeat the terrible things we have done and experienced.
This week, I thought of two examples in my own life. The first was reading a biography of Branch Rickey. Mr. Rickey was the baseball executive in the 1940’s who had the courage to bring Jackie Robinson into the Brooklyn Dodger’s system in 1945. Mr. Robinson hit the big leagues two years later, and the abuse he received – watch the movie “42” – was unimaginable. I was probably 10 years old when I read the biography, and I was so oblivious of the Civil Rights movement that I had no idea anyone hated other people because of their skin color. My second decade showed me the ugliness of bigotry in far too many ways, but that book showed me that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and their heroism cannot be forgotten; that is, if we want to progress as a society.
The second example came when I was a 22-year-old seminarian. I was the Resident Director of the only men’s dorm at Drew University, and as November rolled around, I was informed that the residents threw a big party every year around December 7 – Pearl Harbor Day. It seemed like a done deal, so I decided I would be there as a safeguard. I was appalled by the mockery of that day by the partygoers, and that was the last time they ever did that. It seems that an entire generation had forgotten – or never been taught – the significance of that tragic day. The heroes who suffered and died as we were pulled into WWII were deeply disrespected by that event, something that should make anyone who started that party feel ashamed. No hero should ever be forgotten, and no terrorist or traitor should ever be exalted. Society cannot move forward if we forget the sacrifices of those who gave so much. Never forget.
Prayer – Merciful God, keep us connected to those who have given so much so that we can be free. Amen.
Today’s art is the commemorative plaque of Branch Rickey at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.