The People Speak
Dennis Moseby, Emporia
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The annual Christmas celebration was as usual extremely enjoyable. It is my hope that two years hence for its 75th anniversary that we will again call it the Christmas Celebration (perhaps sooner.)
But my real request is to bring back the “Littlest Christmas Tree,” the report by W. L. White during the Russo-Finnish War of 1939-1940. I know we cannot have it on the stage anymore due to room with the orchestra there, but just a spotlight on a student in the uniform and a reading of the report as in the past.
Now I can only guess why it no longer appears, possibly because some believe it glorifies war at a time when peace is the message. But I think this misses the point. All soldiers of all lands sacrifice for their country just as our armed forces do for us every day. We should remember the sacrifice of the military person not only at Christmas but all year round. In addition, how in Emporia, can we not have something of the legacy of William Allen White and his descendents in a Christmas celebration?
Indeed if we wanted to really do something different, each year we could rotate the reading by one of our own military recruiters here in town. But I am not sure this can be done, given that it is a school function.
At any rate, let us bring back this tribute to all military people in all countries and most importantly it reminds us of the Finns who fought so valiantly against the Russian army in that bitter winter so many years ago.
And I think the reindeer also comes from that part of the world, so there you go.
Thanks.
Dennis Mosebey
Emporia
Comments
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)