Some people, politicians in particular, wear patriotism on their sleeves. Like a fashion statement. Lapel pins. Ties for men. Star-spangled bracelets for women. Perfect, undoubtedly, for the cameras. Much of it comes across like an empty regard, though, akin to a sound bite that promises a border lockdown and $2-a-gallon gasoline. Spare me, please.
So it’s refreshing to observe how some people show love for country, someone like Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Fanning Lasseter. I’ve been privy to a few social settings with her. The reverence she holds for military veterans, what they gave, appears heartfelt, free of personal gain or political ploy.
Lasseter was Duluth mayor for 14 years before she — and she now may regret the decision — ran for and successfully won a county commissioner’s seat. She was a Duluth official when the town of 26,000 started to display, on certain holidays, hundreds of crosses and flags that bear the names of fallen veterans. She had been out of office for some time, though, when she fielded a call one day from a World War II veteran. He desperately wanted to be recognized for his service. She explained, delicately, that one had to be dead to receive the honor. He declined.
“That man has never left me,” she told me.
Time passed. Lasseter got to thinking. Too often, she reasoned, be it public or private, people pass on before we pay tribute or even say “thanks.” Why not show love to the community’s first-responders and protectors while they are alive and kicking? While they can appreciate it?
Lasseter envisioned the creation of a monument to honor “living heroes.” Firefighters, cops, military personnel and such. She discussed the idea with like-minded folk, then called 15 friends. Minutes into phone conversations, she had committed donors.
At a meeting to discuss the matter, people presented checks for $1,000, $2,000, even $5,000. Local Duluth churches got wind of the project. The Korean Community Presbyterian Church and the Korean Church of Atlanta are “front-line donors” for the $50,000 monument.
“Raising the money was the greatest blessing and the easiest part of this entire project,” she said. “It’s the most overwhelming feeling of joy and respect I have ever experienced.”
The plan had been to unveil the “Living Honorarium” on July 4th. That deadline wasn’t met. Divine intervention stepped in. The unveiling of the monument is set to take place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, in the Duluth Town Green. All police, fire and military personnel are invited as honored guests.
On the day Duluth pauses to honor living service personnel, it will also pay tribute to those who died and suffered in the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.
How fittingly patriotic.
Rick Badie, an Opinion columnist, is based in Gwinnett. Reach him at rbadie@ajc.com or 770-263-3875.
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