Dear Editor:
I attended today’s Veteran’s Day Community Tribute at the Chelsea Senior Center.
I would like to commend the organizers and leadership of this event – I was ambivalent about the move from Veteran’s Park to the Senior Center, but there were many positives with this change, not the least being that, for possibly the first time, I was able to hear everything that was presented.
The essays from the sixth graders were endearing and heartening; the choir was absolutely outstanding in their National Anthem rendition (and kudos to the Chelsea choir director – he had his singers prepared and on point).
The luncheon was a nice touch and allowed people to converse and mingle a bit.
I did have one discouraging observation, however. My brother Jay and I noticed that we were – by far – the youngest people in the room. With the exception of the children and young adults in the program, as attendees we solely represented Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha.
Now – I know the younger generations are busier, unretired with school and children and jobs. But for no one else from age 55 and under to attend a Veteran’s Day tribute was remarkable. These remembrances are crucial to our societal fabric.
I encourage those of you in the younger generations – especially the veterans! – to carve out a couple hours next year and attend this salute to our nation’s guardians.
Sincerely,
Dan Zatkovich
Stockbridge, MI
