Many of us work in a community rich in history. I think a big part of our job consists of preserving the history for the good of everyone.
In our day to day operation, we often gripe about the complexity of our jobs. We must follow many rules, from federal regulations on down through state and onto community laws. We gripe because, as hard as the job may already be; these rues make it harder. Somehow we manage, although we might curse those that have made our job what it is; we manage to plow through all the red tape and finish, even on time.
I mention this because I recently had a situation develop that reminded me of how frail our attachment to history and our heritage really is. For the sake of the job we sometimes turn a blind eye to what we may be doing to remnants of our past, for the sake of progress. Long and snaking stonewalls were built by our forefathers. Those large and stately trees that provide shade and beauty on warm summer days are somewhat forgotten in the midst of winter. The many scenic vistas are hidden away on some, less traveled road. Country lanes bordered by the trappings of a bygone era, and homesteads rich in history are often vital to the shaping of the community. There are so many other things that make the place we call home so special to us. Once these things are gone, they may never be replaced, and with them a part of link to past generations. They remind us of a way of life that to us seems so simple and forthright. We can all too easily bulldoze them away forever.
As professionals, I believe we have a duty to protect and preserve these links from the ravages of time and machine. We were so fortunate to grow up with them. To ensure that our children and their children will have a sense of heritage passed on to them; we should endeavor in our daily work to preserve as much as is humanly possible. That link will bond them with our forefathers and their mark on history. Sometimes we may lose sight of our heritage and diminish it, for the sake of getting the job done.
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