It’s so unfortunate that what was once an innocuous and pleasant holiday such as Columbus Day has been politicized, vilified, and become a major controversy across our land.

Not that there aren’t some justifiable concerns voiced by various interested parties. It’s just that it used to be so much a part of the fabric of celebrating our national identity, not to mention the pride that Italian-Americans have taken for countless generations in the explorer’s accredited contributions to our history as a nation.

The simple fact is, however, that a good deal of debate has been raging for a significant amount of time regarding the true nature of the man’s exploits, casting doubt on the legacy that once was his.

History is a changeable thing, especially in this current age of enlightened fact gathering. If we must revise our history books, then we will do so with the best intentions of bringing truth to the light.

In the meantime, perhaps we can relax a bit during the upcoming holiday weekend and reflect on what is good in our lives at this time of year. The winding down of the summer months, intermingling with the onset of autumn with all its glorious warmth of color. This is part and parcel of what makes life here very special.