It’s 8:50 a.m., Nov. 5, 2024. About an hour ago, I voted on this last day of a long, hard political season. Other Neponset voters had already been out in considerable numbers, which isn’t at all unusual for this village.
The judges are in for a long day, fortified by a hearty potluck lunch at noon, with enough remains of the feast for supper. They will laugh and talk amongst themselves and with the voters who will probably still be coming up to closing time at seven. Neponset takes voting seriously. And celebrates it, too.
Isn’t that the way it should be? We are blessed with a system of government that allows us to express our political opinions as quietly as just voting, to shouting them from the rooftops.
I’m disturbed by efforts to “make it easier to vote.” Easier than registering, going to the designated spot to vote, voting shielded from the eyes or political statements of any other person? Or if we can’t do it that way, getting an absentee ballot which will count just as much as an in-person vote? Are we babies? Many have made tremendous sacrifices, even their lives, to get us the right to vote. We should have to be coaxed into appreciating that right?
Which brings me to another subject: Veterans Day. Neponset-Sheffield is so lucky to have the active American Legion Post 875. Since World War II, Neponset has kept its post going through good times and bad. I’m familiar with the last three Commanders, Jon Pickering, Colonel Gary Miller, and Rodney Bennett, and they’ve done a remarkable job of reviving the post when others are closing.
Thanks to Post 875, Neponset’s Floral Hill Cemetery will be beautified for Veterans Day by the “Avenue of Flags”—each flag labeled for a Neponset military veteran. The flags will be flying until after Veterans Day. Recently 40 of these flags were carried at the Annawan/Wethersfield Titans playoff game, Zeb Rashid carrying the flag of his grandfather, Lee Bennett. An honor to cherish.
I voted today because starting with the American Revolutionary War, men and women have stepped up to the plate to defend our right to choose our laws and our leaders. We swerved from that right when we accepted slavery for a time, but much American blood was shed to rid us of that evil.
That brings me to one more subject: Thank God for Thanksgiving. Thank God for feasting and football. For celebration. For freedom to worship the Giver of all. For serious regard for all the people who’ve defended us in wars they didn’t want, maybe didn’t understand, maybe didn’t think were necessary.
Thank God for the freedom to vote, to complain if our candidates don’t win. To find pleasure in throwing off hatred and irritation with those who don’t agree with us, therefore keeping them as friends.
Thank God for the meeting of our physical and spiritual needs.
November is a good month if we allow it to be.
Stay strong, keep the faith, and—hang on!
Your friend, Carol
