It seems that I’ve been reading a lot recently. Sort of a mixed bag of topics; the history of the department store Younkers (The Friendly Store), men’s clothing store Frankel’s (where I started my retail career and met a lifelong mentor), old Iowa Supper Clubs and my weakness …. politics.
The writings of the historic retailers and restaurants always referred to Iowa as a great place to conduct business where the clientele were always loyal, civil and supportive of their neighbors and Iowa. Younkers was known to support local, regional and national efforts in the advertising and philanthropic ventures. From selling US Bonds during WWII to support of local activities like the Variety Club of Iowa.
Frankel’s was known for being the go to place during the Boys & Girls High School Basketball tournaments. The stores windows on Locust Avenue were converted to displays with a large state of Iowa image with a light for the location of each school playing in the tournament as well as all of the trophies. The store ran sales and donated proceeds to help pay for the trophies.
The business community helped make Iowa a great place to live, work and raise families. Local businesses across the state supported their residents, regardless of their race, religion or place of origin. Young men and women were proud to serve their state and country when called upon.
In the later part of the 1960s I received the call. Uncle Sam wanted me to be a member of his US Army. In those days we were unsure what lay ahead but we were called upon and pledged to defend our democracy, country and the Constitution.
I remember returning from Vietnam being greeted by protesters at the airport in Seattle. We were swore at and had things thrown at us all while trying to get to the buses to take us to Fort Lawton for a shower, a steak dinner and dress greens. From there we were processed for a well deserved Leave. When we boarded the bus, at the airport, we were greeted by an Army Captain. As we traveled to the Army base he addressed what had occurred at the airport. He reminded us why we served (to defend our democracy, country and the Constitution) and that included the right of those we had encountered upon landing.
As I continued my service in Colorado Springs, I saw Draft Cards and US Flags burned in protest of the Vietnam war. Once again I recalled why we were called to serve.
This takes me today and the politics of the country and Iowa. There is a person running for president that defies logic as do his supporters. A person so biased against everything we served/stand for. He discriminates, trash talks non supporters, calls those that gave their life for his right to be the way he is “suckers & losers.” This individual has a total disregard for the Constitution and the rights of the Americans.
This person has opened the door for his followers in Iowa to ignore the US and State Constitution, the rule of law and the rights of those they represent.
In the past couple of years we have watched the place we love become a place of embarrassment to what we were taught and believe.
We no longer support the rights of individuals to make their own decisions, especially women.
We no longer want to accept that love isn’t defined by being a man and women.
We no longer tolerate those that live a different life style.
We no longer respect our neighbors because of their place of origin or color of their skin.
We no longer believe tax dollars are for public education only.
We no longer believe only those with qualifications should determine school curriculum in all disciplines - especially history.
We no longer believe books are to be read not banned.
We no longer want to allow children to be called by their preferred name even with parental permission.
We no longer value the separation of church and state.
We no longer believe a person is free to worship the God of their choice even is it’s different than theirs.
This list could go on for hours and paragraphs.
Now we find our faux leaders wanting to insist that kids say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem each day in public and private schools. For fear of repetition I offer what the Army Captain said to us at the airport in Seattle…”we served to defend our democracy, country and the Constitution.”
Regardless of your personal beliefs even kids have rights. What if a child of an immigrant who watched his parents discriminated against by these faux leaders doesn’t want to participate, or a child that is discriminated because they are LGBTQ-T and don’t see themselves included in “one nation under God with liberty and justice for all?” Remember, they have a right to sit this out without penalty.
The place I grew up, chose to live, work and raise my family and loved no longer looks much like where I grew up. It’s not that we can’t change things back to a more civil place to live but I don’t see people willing to do what it takes to make changes. Our ancestors fought to make Iowa and this country a better place to live and we have benefitted by their handwork and sacrifices.
I try to remain optimistic but worry people have become complacent and ignore the consequences of their lack of involvement on their lives and their children and grandchildren.
I wish we all had been on the bus that night in Seattle to be reminded it is OUR responsibility to “defend our democracy, country and the Constitution.”
February 6, 2024
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