I do wonder about priorities and who it is in Atlantic Highlands that dictates or chooses what nationally dedicated weeks or months are so important they are to be honored alongside the American flag, or in resolutions or proclamations, or not at all?
Every month there are special people, places or things being honored throughout the country, and June is no different For instance, it is Oceans Month, and Rivers Month, both to celebrate the natural beauty of each and our obligation to keep them clean. That’s not important enough to celebrate in Atlantic Highlands.
It is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, set aside to make us realize there are people with these serious diseases and we should be more aware of how to treat them as well as learn how to prevent onsets of them. That’s not important enough to celebrate in Atlantic Highlands.
It is National Safety Month, the time when special emphasis is put on teaching people more about safety, how to avoid hazards, best practices at home, at work and on the street to prevent accidents, ensure better health and learn tips on safety. That’s not important enough to celebrate in Atlantic Highlands.
In Atlantic Highlands, at least at council meetings, we don’t pay any attention to any of that.
Rather, we put flags up on the lamp posts by Borough Hall not lower than, but directly even with, the American Flag. We even have a second flagpole in front of Borough Hall next to and slightly lower than the pole on which the American flag flies together with the POW flag which reminds us all there are still military heroes who have not yet come back to their families. But we still fly another flag next to it on a separate pole.
Once again, the governing body issued a proclamation for LGBTQ Pride Month along with the announcement the multicolored flag signifying LGBTQ would be flown the entire month in front of borough hall.
Why are we trying so hard to separate or identify groups of people? Why do we care if someone is L or G or B or T or Q?
Why is it something to be proud of, ashamed of, or for that matter, recognized?
Should we have a month for blue-eyed people?
Or men and women over 90?
Or any other natural phenomenon over which we have no control?
Praise to the Special Events Committee who honored the week, during National Safety Month that honors the EMS, the men and women who are there to help us every day and night.
Praise to the audience at the borough hall meeting who stood up to give a standing ovation and rousing round of applause to those volunteers who don’t care if someone is L or G or B or T or Q or anything else and just see everyone as someone in need of help they are ever so willing to give.
