A Matter Of Perspective
Reading and learning about history has long been a favorite pasttime of mine. I believe understanding how people have succeeded, and failed, in the past can assist in future successes. It is through these eyes that I look around following the celebration of this country's (United States of America) 230 years of freedom and see a slightly different perspective.
Beautiful Downtown Sneads Ferry
Let me begin by saying that I now live in a wonderful small community along the eastern coast of North Carolina. When speaking with new acquaintances, I often state that I live in "beautiful downtown" Sneads Ferry. For those not familiar with the immediate area, it is an unknown small town with little to be recognized. Once known as "trailer trash" and poor shimper families by nearby communities, Sneads Ferry has quickly begun to grow both by new residential dwellings and businesses. More recently, it has become an area where people from around the world are moving to and spending well over ten (10) times the amount for property as it sold less than five (5) years ago. Buildings are going up faster than ever before and the result is changing the perspective of other localities and their view of our little town.
Topsail Island
It has been said that Topsail Island earned its name as tradeships passed by carrying their cargo and looked for the top mast (e.g. top sail) of lurking pirate ships hidden behind the island. This could easily be considered a rather sad thing to be known for from a marketing perspective. Instead, Topsail Island has changed through the years as few would have ever considered.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy took over the island and began a joint venture with Johns Hopkins University known as Operation Bumblebee. Operation Bumblebee was the beginning of the United States Government space program. Many "improvements" were added to the island including: an arsenal center for the assembly and storage of rockets, launching pads, and concrete observation towers were built throughout the island to monitor the experimental launchings. All in all, over 200 rocket launchings took place on the island between 1946 and 1948. When the testing program was dismantled, the government sold the island to the public with many of the original military structures in place and still standing today. From 1948 until just a few years ago, time drifted by for Topsail Island with people building houses as vacation homes primarily. Then the boom began!
Within the last five (5) years the prices for property and homes on Topsail Island have, pardon the pun, skyrocketed. Property than once sold for as little as $100 per acre is now selling as even smaller lots for $1,000,000 and up. There are now multiple houses on the island selling for over the $1,000,000 price point and some approaching $2 million. There are a number of homes already built and still more being built on parts of the island never even considered before due to erosion and hurricanes.
It's safe to say the perspective of people regarding Topsail Island has dramatically changed over the years!
Getting back to my original thought on perspective...
4th of July Fireworks at Camp LeJeune
During the celebration of our country's independance and the remembrance of our freedom from tyranny on Camp LeJeune, I notice a young United States Marine family that seems to symbolize so much. The mother is a civilian, dad is the marine and their young daughter who looks at this world with the innocent "rose colored glass" eyes of youth as it should be. In our conversations, I learned that dad has always been stationed somewhere else in the world during other 4th of July celebrations and this is his first time to spend it with wife and child at home in North Carolina. Braving this "sea of bodies" and listening to the orchestra was an event to be taken in and enjoyed for them due to the sacrafices by so many throughout the years.
As I watched, listened and waited for the upcoming spectactular fireworks presentation it sank in that this was the place to be for this celebration. Remembering and acknowledging those who protect us is something I feel is befitting of one granted the freedoms we share. Throughout history from the days of the Roman empire, to British imperialization and even within American history and the enslavement of africans, people have been without the freedoms that so many take for granted today.
No matter how you feel about the politics of our leaders, the freedoms we share were often earned by the lives of men and women through very trying times. The sacrifices of those in the military, their families and so many others is very precious. Taking the time to remember and say thanks, not just during the 4th of July but, throughout the year is something we can all do. No, it's not just placing a "We support our troups" sticker on a business to get military personnel to shop within. It's being genuine to those who have been so genuine in the face of conflict on our behalf.
Yes, I have new perspective and, hopefully, you do as well.
To each of you who faithfully serve this country and those who have done so before you:
Thanks for all you do. It is appreciated.