Given the current political climate, the date of January 6th is presented to us as a a sacred date we should recall with awe. Supposedly, American democracy was under siege that day. Nah.
Yahoos led by bigger yahoos rioted at the Capitol and vandalized a lot of stuff. That’s mostly about it. It was like Andrew Jackson’s inaugural party, but with less booze. You actually want to remember something of note? I have three suggestions.
“On June 14, 2017, during a Republican practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity in Alexandria, Virginia, James Hodgkinson conducted a mass shooting in which the victims shot included Republican U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, U.S. Capitol police officer Crystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth, and lobbyist Matt Mika. A ten-minute shootout took place between Hodgkinson and officers from the Capitol and Alexandria Police before officers shot Hodgkinson, who died from his wounds later that day at the George Washington University Hospital. Scalise and Mika were taken to nearby hospitals where they underwent surgery,” per various sources.
An actual attack against representatives of our government. A House leader shot. Are we asked to remember this on June 14th? Nope. It would be inconvenient for Democrats and the media, as it would ruin their narrative of mean nasty NRA members and their assault rifles gunning down assorted citizens. One problem, that June 14th it was NRA members who were the victims. Also, no NRA member has been accused of any mass shooting to date. Inconvenient truths.
Another reason to celebrate June 14th? It’s the anniversary of the greatest national force for good in the history of mankind. It gained our independence, tamed a continent, destroyed slavery, beat aggressive Germany twice, ruined Japanese plans for Pacific conquest, kept South Korea free, fought for South Vietnamese freedom, and toppled dictators from Berlin to Baghdad. Yup, happy 247th birthday to the US Army.
Coincidentally, I spent 4 years on active duty with this organization. I wasn’t exactly Audie Murphy, but I did my duty. The friends I made there are still my brothers and the accoutrements of my service hang on my wall. It was the best time I ever had doing something good.
And the last reason? Well, it’s kind of tied in with the second reason. Today is Flag Day. It’s the day we honor the US flag. Now, the flag is a symbol. Men in battle don’t die for symbols. They die for each other. Nevertheless, men in uniform and veterans, including me, get misty when they see that symbol and remember what it stands for. People all over the world, from Poland to Hong Kong, still get the same feeling when they remember what that symbol has meant to their freedom.
Three reasons to remember June 14th that put January 6th in the shade. Perhaps when it comes to political priorities, we should recalibrate and with respect and awe celebrate a date that should bring us together, not tear us apart.