September 16, 2006
- Day 4 - Week 24 - The Kreitler Compact
In yesterday’s equivocation about the renewal of my
commitment to the Kreitler Compact I forgot to
elaborate on a small fitting point of reflection
about our trip. For the first time in my life I was
unable to leave Cape Cod as scheduled; (I recounted
the Cape Air grounding in P’Town); perhaps this was
telling me something profound such as I might as
well just stay there forever, or maybe it is just
another person’s airport delay scenario so easily
experienced today. Small planes are fun, efficient
and can land on the province lands of Provincetown,
which is basically one runway set amidst sand dunes,
but lousy weather plays havoc with schedules. What
does this have to do with the Kreitler Compact?
Maybe I am destined to retire to Cape Cod and create
Father Peter’s Smoked Bluefish smokehouse, or…..
As a young boy I attended Camp Monomoy on Cape Cod.
One of the mandatory camper trips was to board the
ubiquitous yellow school bus and go to Provincetown
at the tip of the Cape. Besides a fascinating harbor
filled with Portuguese American owned and operated
fishing trawlers, there is the largest granite
monument in the country. Dedicated to the Pilgrims,
there is a small museum at the base and I remember
as a boy being fascinated by the Mayflower Compact
which is printed in big lettering on a permanent
plaque. This pilgrim band of religious dissidents
created the first democratically formed government
and the compact spells out that everything in our
society should be accomplished on behalf of the
common good.
Since those early halcyon days of the 1950’s at
that marvelous sea camp for boys, I have visited the
Mayflower and Plymouth Rock in Plymouth
Massachusetts (which is not on the Cape) and have
wondered aloud why we have strayed so far from
fighting for the common good in our culture.
When I chose the word compact to define my Blog
or website offering I was hoping that we could all
help one another address this terrible blight on
human lives, a scourge called cancer. My compact
with you was an attempt to discern the truth from
many sources, such as Dr. Wayne Glass, and others
who have shared cards, letters and stories so that
we might all benefit.
When the Pilgrims landed in Provincetown Harbor
in 1620 they realized that their very survival
depended on cooperation. The corn buried in the sand
by the Monomoyick or Pequod Indians that was
probably discovered on First Encounter beach in
Wellfleet was an added blessing, but one for all and
all for one was driving their lives. The compact was
unspoken at first and then codified and signed to
ensure that this model would guide generations in
the future.
I am just one man surrounded by a boatload or two
who want a healthy long term future for their family
and friends. The way we are going to survive the
metaphorical and literal winter storms ahead will be
to work together. As our health and environment are
compromised simultaneously the Compact will become
our rallying cry. My compact with you will never end
even if this writing does; though the jury is still
out, because there is much to do and one man can not
do much alone. Hugs, and thanks.
Back to Week
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