My Google Calendar, into which I've imported the US Holidays collection, has been reminding me for a couple of weeks that tomorrow is Patriot Day. Something seemed wrong about that, but I put it down to the careless omission of the "s"—and perhaps an apostrophe. Whether you choose to spell it Patriots' Day, Patriot's Day, or Patriots Day, there's supposed to be an "s" there. In these hurried days, it seems, no one has time for effective proofreading (moi aussi).
But wait! There's more wrong than that—Patriots' Day is, of course, in April, commemorating Lexington and Concord and all that flurry that started the American Revolution. Boston Marathon 2009 (traditionally held on Patriots' Day) has already been run. So what's with Google Calendar and tomorrow? Tomorrow? Ah, September 11.Where have I been for the last six years? According to Wikipedia*
On September 4, 2002, President Bush....proclaimed September 11, 2002, as Patriot Day. On this day, the President directs that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time of the first plane crash on September 11, 2001.
That's Patriot Day. No "s." I had no idea. If the mail is delivered and we don't get presents, it must not be a holiday, right?
I do remember where I was on that day in 2001, and not just because I was alone with the strangers who were dismantling our home for the move to Boston. I was already so numb I hardly had room to register more distress. But I remember, and honor those who died, especially those who put themselves in harm's way to save others.
Stay safe out there tomorrow, especially those of you who (1) are in New York City, (2) are travelling, or (3) both.
