| Remembering
Sept. 11 |
| This week, because of the dozens of programs in our area
to remember and memorialize the events of Sept. 11, 2001,
The Herndon and Reston Observers have been combined into one
edition to better report on the important events of this week. |
| Both newspapers went to press Wednesday evening. The Reston
Observer normally is printed on Tuesday evenings. This slight
change should not delay the newspapers from arriving in your
homes at the normal time. |
| The Observer staff, along with the entire country, was profoundly
affected by the events of that day. Reporters and sales staff
had family members and friends who worked at the State Department,
the Pentagon, at the White House and in the World Trade Center
in New York. The hours that followed those attacks were among
the most stressful any of us could remember until everyone
could be located. |
| Life has never quite been the same. I am a devoted believer
that we, no matter how painful it is, should never forget
those events. We must constantly remind ourselves of the vigilance
and determination it takes to remain a free and democratic
country. |
| I am still astounded at the feelings I have every time I
visit the Vietnam wall in Washington, D.C. The emotions and
historical significance of that memorial run deep within so
many people. It is a constant reminder of the sacrifices we
all must make in order to protect our freedoms and heritage. |
| So must Sept. 11, 2001, be remembered. |
| |
| Weddings
of 2002 |
| I just attended my fifth wedding of 2002 this past week.
It seems this is the year that children of friends, nephews,
Goddaughters and so many others decided to get married. We
were able to attend five out of the nine we were invited to.
One was in England, so that didn't count. We've been invited
to two more, but I think I'm out of money. |
| It has not been an inexpensive year for us. |
| Young marrieds also are having babies by the boatload this
year. My oldest daughter, along with several friends, nieces,
and nephews, have found 2002 to be the year to start a family.
There must be something in the water. |
| Like I said, it has not been an inexpensive year for us. |
| One of the miracles of modern-day gift buying is the Internet,
where brides, mothers-to-be and engaged couples list exactly
what gifts they want. It's an easy solution when you have
to buy so many gifts, but it also is one of the most boring
ways to buy a gift. You might as well send a gift certificate. |
| But I've figured out some of these future housekeepers and
parents don't really get it: Why register for a $5 whisk,
a $7.50 potato peeler or a $4 napkin holder? That's an easy
way out for those folks buying gifts. I think I'd register
for the $400 set of pans or those expensive kitchen knives
that everyone wants, or even the $300 retro toaster. |
| True, my wife Betsy and I registered for wedding gifts when
we were married in Chicago many years ago, but it just seemed
more personal when you had to actually walk into Marshall
Field and Company to find out what the couple wanted. It was
always an outing, a chance to visit a really nice department
store and to make a choice by actually holding the gift in
your hand. |
| And here is another twist: You can actually register on
the Internet for Fathers Day. Okay, I get maybe three gifts
from my wife and children, a pie, a nice dinner and I don't
have to clean up. I also get to sleep in. I'm not sure how,
or where, you would register for that. |
| But I'll tell you, if I do register for Fathers Day, it
won't be at Lands End or Sharper Image. I'm going directly
to BMW.com, Bostonwhaler.com, or twoweeksinparis.com. |
| That'll get Œem. |
| But it won't work. I'm sure I'll still get my new shirt,
a lobster tail, and two extra hours in bed. |
| And that's just fine with me. |
| And that's Our Town this week. |
