Last weekend, I went to see Dunkirk at my local cinema. The weather was bad, so a 4:15 pm showing seemed apropos— rather than wasting away indoors, we decided to engage in the latest Christopher Nolan-helmed phenomenon. Also, an $8 ticket was a thrilling prospect to me. (Since when did going to the movies become a $40 ordeal? One ticket, one coke and a side of bad credit.) The early-bird special has its perks, and I won’t soon forget it! No more evening movies for this chick, only late afternoon. 

When we entered the theater, I noticed a bunch of grey heads and sweaters. We were the youngest movie-goers by about 50 years. I even wondered, somewhat stupidly, ‘Maybe one of these men is a Veteran!’ While wholly possible, this was not the case. I also questioned, and continue to question, what factor had filled the theater— the rain? The subject matter? The time? The deal? Just an observation, and a pondering. 

Dunkirk is a fantastic film, but in many ways, the most touching part of the screening was seeing how much this story moved multiple generations. Its content is unimaginable to me, and yet, only 70 years ago, my Grandfather, at my age, was living through battle, loss and destruction. I wonder what nearness to that era offers— more perspective? A better sense of historical accuracy? 

Whether a Baby-Boomer, a Millennial, or a member of the Silent Generation, historical events DO affect all of us. It’s a commonality that should not be denied, and instead, should be fostered and nurtured. Use the time we have on this Earth to connect with those who know, who don’t, and who want to know.