Three years later
Saturday, September 11th, 2004Three years after the 9/11 attacks, I’m finding that Americans have a shorter attention span that I thought. Most people are ditching the patriot symbols that used to be so abundant. When I was speaking of this Saturday to people, the typical response was “What’s Saturday?” Have we really forgotten? Why is it that something so dramatic (and definitely the worse attack on our soil) can be pushed aside so easily? Have we recovered to the point that it’s not important anymore? We ignore the Homeland Security Alerts and generally gripe about the changes to the airport now. After three years, we want everything to go back to the way it was before. But would you feel safe if things did go back? Is ignorant that blissful? 9/11 woke us up as a nation and now we’re drifting back into our delusion that no one will hurt us again.
I don’t want America to live in a state of fear. But I do want America to remember the people who make this country so wonderful to live in. We have a horrible track record of forgetting those unsung heros. Most of our holidays start out with good intentions but just become an excuse for a long and drunk three day weekend. Patriot Day isn’t there yet, but I have no doubt that it will get there at some point. We forget too easily.
So remember today. Think about the civilians and public servants that died. Think about the Vets who have given their lives for us in wars. Think about the soldiers who are off on foreign soil fighting the good fight. And think about the families that are missing someone at their dinner table tonight. Then offer up a silent prayer of gratitude and be thankful that you live in the United States of America. It isn’t a perfect place, but it is home.
On a different but related note: Happy Birthday to all the September 11th babies out there. :cake: It’s tough living in something’s shadow. But celebrate your birthday today because I’d like to think that the people who died would have wanted you to.
