Jerry Summers
The celebration of a holiday to show the bond between grandparents and grandchildren has come and gone without a lot of fanfare.
A nine-year-old youngster in 1969 (Russel Capper) sent a letter in his youthful handwriting to President Richard M. Nixson suggesting that a special day be set aside to honor the beloved parents of his own mom and dad.
The well-known secretary to the president, Rosemary Woods, responded to the request by stating that “such recognition could not be established without a Congressional Resolution.”
Efforts by some advocates in the United States Senate and by President Jimmy Carter were tried even after the proposed resolution died in committee and it was finally signed into law on August 3, 1978, by Carter.
The proclamation designated the first Sunday in September after Labor Day of each year as “National Grandparents Day” with the purpose to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information and guidance people can offer.”
The only recognized mention of the date was on the ex-Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee’s show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) who rotates interviews with celebrities, promotes Relaxium Sleep as a guaranteed 24 sleep disorder solution with his wife and two cute toy dogs and plays bass guitar during musical numbers.
Proper credit is due to the father of former Donald J.
Trump’s press secretary, Sara Huckabee Sanders, who was elected governor of the Razorback state (Arkansas), for recognizing the contributions of grandparents as additional family support for the youth of America.
(The county needs more grandparents to fawn over their grandkids and provide love (and a little loving discipline) to the upcoming generation!)
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You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com