MIAGD: Make it a great day

The Friday before Labor Day is always invigorating because the neighborhood has a distinct buzzing of energy as Kettering prepares for the annual Holiday At Home Festival with its impressive parade and many other events.

The buzz is missing this year. There is no festival, no parade, and no events.

The only thing familiar is the delivery of my US Flag as part of the Optimists’ Avenue of Flags program.

On September 28, 1918, a Liberty Loan parade in Philadelphia prompts a huge outbreak of Spanish flu in the city. By the time the pandemic ended, an estimated 20 million to 50 million people were dead worldwide.

The festival leadership and City of Kettering, I believe, made the correct decision of halting the festivities. We need to be more aggressive and attentive in defending further spread of this pandemic.

My house is right in the heart of Holiday At Home. Although I am missing the anticipation this day usually ignites, I’m eager for the community, and its thousands of guests to celebrate holidays at “home” over future Labor Day weekends.

Make it a great day and be safe!