Today is September 11th. A day that will, as Franklin Roosevelt said of Pearl Harbor, live in infamy. On this day at approximately the time this blog was written, our nation was attacked by Islamic terrorists. It is a day no one who was there, or anyone who witnessed the horror on tv, can or ever will forget. In all, 2993 people lost their lives that fateful day, including the 19 terrorists responsible. Over 90 nations were represented in the death tally. It is not something we can ever forget.
Every year we are asked to "remember". How can we not? The Government has declared today an official holiday, and anyone with a calendar can see what today is. The newspapers, television news, and the radio remind us hourly of what today is, and the importance it holds. Im not saying we should forget. Im not in any way suggesting we should place this in the closet with our other memories and only take it out once in a while and look at it for the sake of remembering. What I am saying however is this..I feel it is time for America to move on. It is time for America to rebuild and grow from this.
I cringe still at the images and video surrounding that day. To awaken to such horror was, and still is, beyond the belief of any free American alive. To be attacked so brutally on our own soil was so incomprehensible and unheard of. To be shown how vulnerable we can be was not acceptable to anyone who truly loves this Country. So many statements, and so many things have been said about today, that in many ways it is reminiscent of Pearl Harbor. We were betrayed. We were caught off guard. We were made to cower and fight back after the fact.
I see all the news reports, both online and on television, and I cant help but think this...How do the families who lost loved ones that day feel about having their pictures and stories paraded about every year? What are they going through by being reminded yearly what it is they truly lost? At least one news channel displays the names of those that perished on this day every year. At least one radio station displays a moment of silence for the fallen and the brave. I dont want us to forget them, but I feel the families involved have earned a little privacy by now.
Unfortunately on this day, all we do hear about is the families who lost, and the stories of bravery and courage immediately afterward. What we do not focus on are the thousands who have given their lives freely, and perished in the war to end terrorism. What we are failing to remember are the brave men and women who are in harms way daily, and who fight without reserve to protect the country we love. The policemen, firemen, soldiers, border guards, and other military and emergency personnel who protect us silently and without fail. To me, this deserves as much attention and recognition as does the unthinkable act of 9/11.
Please take this blog with a grain of salt. I can be, and have proven to be an outspoken person before, and I wont change that to administer to the few. My personal opinion is just that...mine. I dont ask that you agree with me, but I do ask that you state your opinion. Something that is uniquely yours and cannot be taken from you. I know I will never forget today and what happened. This is and always will be the biggest "ripple in the pond" America will ever know. For those personally affected by this tragedy and the outcome thereof, my deepest sympathies. For those that mourn today as a loss of innocence, I mourn at your side. Let us use today to do as we are asked. Volunteer some time, remember EVERYONE who lost their lives that day and the days following. Thank someone you know who serves in emergency services or may have been at the site serving in rescue efforts.
Peace be with you all, and let us hope we never see a repeat of what we have already gone through once.
Age
14 years ago
