The proclamations used to land in my inbox like clockwork — the remembrances of holidays and landmarks, the celebrations of awareness months, the noting of anniversaries both celebratory and tragic. All bearing the president’s name.
It was probably someone’s job, making sure those days and weeks and months did not slip by a busy head of state, whichever person or party happened to occupy the White House.
Though it was “pro forma” and a bit corny, it was also somehow comforting, a sign that the country’s leaders knew that remembering together is something that makes America, America, especially when those memories reflect dark times defeated by hard work, sacrifice and the principles enshrined in founding documents.
