des1954
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2007
Tomorrow is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States. It was a day that decidedly changed the lives of all Americans; both then and yet still, is changing us today. We were awakened from our deluded perception that we were impervious to any attacks, by anyone. We were awakened to the fact that, despite all the assistance we offer to the rest of the world, we are a hated nation; despised by many, and thought to be arrogant and self-serving, while all the time those who hate America and what it stands for, hold out their hands eagerly accepting all we have to offer.
Some can make good arguments claiming that we should have seen it coming. Philosophers and politicians can point fingers at each other and banter over "who's to blame". Everyone's to blame, no one is to blame. It happened. The unthinkable actually happened. Those who survived wonder why their life was spared that day. Those who lost their loved ones wonder why their mother, father, sister, brother, friend had to lose their life. So many questions that can never be answered.
Out of the dust and destruction, out of the death and devestation, one thing stood out above all else; and that is....American's are strong. American's have resolve. American's can, despite being down and hurt, still extend their hands to assist the very nations that produced those heinous and insidious men who tried to tear us apart. Those men did not succeed. What they thought would hurt us and render us helpless, proved to strengthen us and bring us together - tougher than ever. They wasted their pitiful lives on us. They were nothing more than faceless cowards. History will remember their cowardness.
What we as Americans need to remember is not to be lulled into a false sense of security. We have returned to the routine of normal day to day living. Air travel is definitely different from the pre-9/11 days, but for most of us, this has no bearing. Who and what does need to be remembered are the innocent, unknowing citizens who were just carrying on with their normal routines when their lives were cut short by cowardly scum.
What we need to keep fresh in our minds are the visions of the aircraft slamming into those towers, the plane careening into the Pentagon, the heros that fought back on the flight that crashed into a farm field in Pennsylvania. We need to recall the selflessness of ALL the people who, even though their own lives were in peril, sifted through the ashes trying to find anyone who might have survived. We need to keep honoring the police, firemen, doctors, nurses, EMT's, military, and anybody who was there, serving and helping in whatever capacity they could. For those of us who could not actually physically serve, thank you for your unselfish donations of blood and money in the days and weeks and months following the attacks. Every single person in this country who could help, did help. And that is the backbone of America. We are all neighbors ready to help... and to care.
Tomorrow is a day to remember. To remember that we do live in a country where we can express our opinions without the fear of being quieted by the government; to remember that we have the right to worship however we wish - or to not worship. We have the right to oppose our elected officials and call them to rights when they have failed us. We have the precious right to elect the men and women who will serve in the governing of our country. We have the right to any occupation we choose. We have the right to speak our minds. All kidding aside, we have the right to choose to camp at Ft. Wilderness if that is what we desire. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE!!
What we should never forget is that our freedom has been bought and paid for by the blood of those who have served and are currently serving our country. That we are now standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, and that with God's help, our children and grandchildren and all generations to come will continue to hold our freedom as a dear and precious gift - to be guarded and fiercely protected.
We should always remember the horrific events of 09/11/01.
Some can make good arguments claiming that we should have seen it coming. Philosophers and politicians can point fingers at each other and banter over "who's to blame". Everyone's to blame, no one is to blame. It happened. The unthinkable actually happened. Those who survived wonder why their life was spared that day. Those who lost their loved ones wonder why their mother, father, sister, brother, friend had to lose their life. So many questions that can never be answered.
Out of the dust and destruction, out of the death and devestation, one thing stood out above all else; and that is....American's are strong. American's have resolve. American's can, despite being down and hurt, still extend their hands to assist the very nations that produced those heinous and insidious men who tried to tear us apart. Those men did not succeed. What they thought would hurt us and render us helpless, proved to strengthen us and bring us together - tougher than ever. They wasted their pitiful lives on us. They were nothing more than faceless cowards. History will remember their cowardness.
What we as Americans need to remember is not to be lulled into a false sense of security. We have returned to the routine of normal day to day living. Air travel is definitely different from the pre-9/11 days, but for most of us, this has no bearing. Who and what does need to be remembered are the innocent, unknowing citizens who were just carrying on with their normal routines when their lives were cut short by cowardly scum.
What we need to keep fresh in our minds are the visions of the aircraft slamming into those towers, the plane careening into the Pentagon, the heros that fought back on the flight that crashed into a farm field in Pennsylvania. We need to recall the selflessness of ALL the people who, even though their own lives were in peril, sifted through the ashes trying to find anyone who might have survived. We need to keep honoring the police, firemen, doctors, nurses, EMT's, military, and anybody who was there, serving and helping in whatever capacity they could. For those of us who could not actually physically serve, thank you for your unselfish donations of blood and money in the days and weeks and months following the attacks. Every single person in this country who could help, did help. And that is the backbone of America. We are all neighbors ready to help... and to care.
Tomorrow is a day to remember. To remember that we do live in a country where we can express our opinions without the fear of being quieted by the government; to remember that we have the right to worship however we wish - or to not worship. We have the right to oppose our elected officials and call them to rights when they have failed us. We have the precious right to elect the men and women who will serve in the governing of our country. We have the right to any occupation we choose. We have the right to speak our minds. All kidding aside, we have the right to choose to camp at Ft. Wilderness if that is what we desire. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE!!
What we should never forget is that our freedom has been bought and paid for by the blood of those who have served and are currently serving our country. That we are now standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, and that with God's help, our children and grandchildren and all generations to come will continue to hold our freedom as a dear and precious gift - to be guarded and fiercely protected.
We should always remember the horrific events of 09/11/01.
