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Little Keynote Speaker for Red Cross Event
September, 2001
 Todd Little, Director of Bereavement Services for Toland-Herzig and a member of the Board of Directors for the Muskingum Lakes chapter of the American Red Cross was the featured speaker Wednesday, September 19 at a Red Cross candlelight vigil. The service capped a day in which area residents, with the help of WJER Radio, raised over $76,000 for the Red Cross. The following is Todd's keynote address.
When grief bursts into our lives it comes with such force that we are stunned by its impact. Eventually the initial shock and numbness give way to an outpouring of emotion that can overwhelm us, at times. When the dust begins to settle on that explosion of emotions, there is often a strength we were not aware we possessed, deep in our soul, which spurs us on to take action. Moments like we are sharing in this evening can be a catalyst to help us continue moving through our grief to face our future. But what does the future hold?
Perhaps, we can find answers in our past. For the last eight days, I have heard the events of Tuesday, September 11th compared to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Some have even described the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon as ''the Pearl Harbor of this generation''. That label could foretell what our future holds. Pearl Harbor became a defining moment for our country, our parents and our grandparents. Their generation, the generation that won WWII and defended freedom, has been called ''our country's greatest generation''.
What made them great was not the fact that they were great warriors and defeated their enemies. They were not all soldiers. The way they handled adversity was their call to greatness. They lived through the great depression, they won the war, but what made them our greatest generation was their ability to give generously, to unite beyond their differences, to work together and support one another, to sacrifice for the common good and to live out their faith in God. They did this not for a week or a year, they performed these tasks over the course of their lives. They have set the bar for our generation. They have taught us the way to go.
Now it is our turn to perform. In his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy stated ''the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.'' On September 11, 2001 a new torch was passed. We are now challenged to greatness. For the past eight days we have seen a wonderful outpouring of emotion, support and financial assistance. The question is ''Can we keep it up?'' Can we become the next great generation? Time will tell if we have the stamina of our parents and grandparents.
Let's demonstrate to our children, our parents and our grandparents, as well as to the world, that we have taken up the torch. We are no longer the children and grandchildren of the greatest generation - we have grown up. We are our country's next great generation.
The candles we light tonight represent a light that cannot be extinguished by death: the light of remembrance. As long as we live, those who perished and their families, those who search for survivors and those who support them will never be forgotten. I pray that in the flame of these candles we find the spark of hope and hold it gently in our hearts. From that spark, let us ignite the torch of action from which radiates our giving, our service, our support of others and the living out of our faith. As we continue through this time of trouble, I pray that our torch of action will light the way for future generations, and that our compassion and concern for one another will proclaim to all the world: ''The next great generation of Americans has arrived.''
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