Thanks misgivings, military stance, victims of age
With new COVID-19 daily case counts exploding globally, it makes no sense that 40% of American people plan to gather with 10 or more people for Thanksgiving and a third don’t plan to ask guests to wear masks. Those findings in a national study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center come as Ohio continues breaking records for more new cases regularly. Sadly, the spring predictions of then-state health director Amy Acton that Ohio could see as many as 10,000 new cases a day are looking more possible.
We salute Gen. Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, for reaffirming his stance that the U.S. armed forces are not tools of political power. Speaking last week at the dedication of a new Army museum, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “We are unique among militaries. We do not take an oath to a king or a queen, a tyrant or a dictator. We do not take an oath to an individual. No, we do not take an oath to a country, a tribe or religion. We take an oath to the Constitution.”
Who better than someone who can command a camera to deliver the address for next month’s virtual Ohio State University fall commencement? Jerry Revish, who retired last year as a long-time WBNS 10-TV anchor and is an ordained minister as well, might also send the 3,500 graduates out with a much-needed blessing after their pandemic-challenged last year of formal education. Can we get an amen?
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Not to diminish the tragedy of so many lives being lost to COVID-19, but we pause to reflect on the loss last week of Rosie, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s popular only rhinoceros, and a less-common black rhino, to boot. Just two months shy of turning 31, Rosie had already exceeded the 19-years average age of black rhinos in captivity when Columbus acquired her in 2009. Age-related health issues prompted her euthanasia, but at least she is no longer suffering.
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Another victim of age proved again that what goes up must come down. Columbus said goodbye last week to the enclosed walkway that had carried Franklin County Municipal Courthouse visitors from and to a county garage for 41 years. Its spooky high elevation, connecting the garage’s ninth floor to the courthouse’s sixth floor, probably didn’t help calm jitters of those it transported, whether they were about to plead to a traffic violation or pledge their love in a civil wedding ceremony. Being grounded is better for court guests.
Old Glory received appropriate reverence when a mover with Two Men and a Truck spied value in a closeted cardboard box bearing the official U.S. Army Post Office stamp. Brodie Miller immediately alerted the man who had hired him, William Hamilton. The box contained the longlost American flag that had draped the casket of Hamilton’s great uncle, who was killed in World War II. Not every mover may have recognized the treasure, but Miller has such a flag of his own, reminding him of the Vietnam War service of his father, who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease when Miller was just 13.