November 15 Proofs Note from the Editor

By Kevin Henry
Editor, Proofs

I’m writing this on November 11 … you know, the infamous 11/11/11 we all heard so much about for so long. What was I doing at 11:11 a.m. on 11/11/11? Uploading our latest newscast from DentistryIQ.com, so I’m pretty sure that won’t be as memorable a moment as all of those people in Las Vegas who decided to get married on the 11s, then go bet that same number at the roulette table all day and night. By the way, at 11:11 p.m. on 11/11/11, I was writing a high school football article for the Tulsa World. Yep, I lead a pretty exciting life.

With all of the buildup for 11/11/11, almost lost in the day was the fact that it was Veterans Day. I grew up in a very patriotic family and Veterans Day was almost as important in the holiday realm as the Fourth of July around my house. My grandpa served in Asia during World War II (he passed away when I was 25), and my dad served in Vietnam, so it has always been pretty easy for me to thank a veteran for his service to our country.

I know without those men and women who have served our country for generations, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with my family or travel to New York for the upcoming Greater New York Dental Meeting. If you haven’t already, thank a veteran or current member of our Armed Forces for what they’ve done to make your life better and safer.

The rise in patriotism I feel today will carry over to Greater New York as I plan to visit the new September 11 memorial on the site of the Twin Towers. Every report I’ve seen about the memorial says it’s amazing. As one of my friends told me, “They created peace at a place that was the home of so much hurt. It’s almost healing to go there and pay tribute.” I’m looking forward to visiting there and experiencing it myself during my trip to the Big Apple.

From Veteran’s Day to Thanksgiving, it’s truly a time to realize how blessed we are. I am unbelievably blessed to have a job I love, friends I treasure, and a family who loves me for the person I really am. I hope you’ll take a few moments today and every day to be thankful.

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