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February 19, 2013

Letter: Losing focus on hallowed presidents

Gloucester Daily Times

To the editor:

I am writing this on Feb. 12, and that date should mean something as the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, but I wonder if it does much anymore to most people.

Last night while watching TV, I saw an ad for a car sale for Washington’s Birthday that ended Feb. 18.

Huh? Does anyone even remember his birthday is the 22nd?

These two presidents appear to be getting lost in time. A number of years ago, all the presidents were lumped together into a day called Presidents’ Day, which we “celebrated” Monday. So now we don’t focus on these two, but all 44 men who’ve held the office. As many were not completely men of quality character, the day dilutes the name of the two we used to admire.

Without Washington, the leadership needed in the Revolution might not have been there and even if it did, it could have left us with a dictator. Freedom might still have been a dream.

Without Lincoln, we could have lost the United States and been left with scattered countries across North America. Forget freeing the slaves — there has to be a strong country first or the point is moot.

So, it’s just another day of business, school and life. Other anniversaries and holidays take place, but we seem to have lost two of the most important ones.

BILL HALLETT

Newburyport

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