September 11, 2001
Yet have we forgotten that most horrid day? Sure most people remember exactly what they were doing as the images were displayed across television screens and breakfast was eaten in front of a massacre. Most people remember being sent home from work as employer fears of another attack rose. Those that were stuck in airports around the world remember being unable to return home as planned. But do we, as a society, remember the meanings of that day? I fear we have forgotten.
There are those in our society who will never forget. They are the ones who have fought the wars in the Middle East and the ones who have watched their loved ones leave on dangerous tours of duty. They are the ones who sent loved ones to work on the morning of September 11, 2001 and fully expected them to return that evening. They are the ones who now eat dinner alone because their loved one was killed in a vicious and cowardly attack on peaceful people just trying to make a living. The ones that will forever remember are the children, born since that day, who have never known mom or dad because mom or dad was killed in Afghanistan or Iraq. Those that will remember are the ones that will spend yet another holiday season on foreign shores far from friends and family. But what about the rest of us; will we remember?
Those of us whose lives have been relatively untouched by the horrible events of that day must remember. We must remember or all of the sacrifices will have been in vain. We owe a debt to the men and women who have died to remember. We may not agree with the government or the wars, but we must remember the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who willingly risk their lives to keep us safe. We must remember the 3,000 people killed on September 11, 2001 as we continue to enjoy the same pursuits they enjoyed until that dark morning. We must remember the families who have lost their loved ones to these violent times. And, we must remember the children. Those most innocent members of our society who have no remembrance of that dark day but do know that mommy or daddy will never come home again.
So how do we remember? Do we build monuments or have special holidays? Do we have a parade or somber ceremony every year to show we care? No! We remember and honor them by remaining vigilant and alert. We learn the lessons taught over the last five years. We remember that we will be attacked when we least expect it. We recognize the fact that we have not been attacked for so long not only because of the vigilance of our security and law enforcement, but because terrorists operate that way. They attack you and then wait until you become complacent once again. We honor the memory of those that have died by winning this war, no matter how long it takes or what the cost. As a nation we have a moral obligation to avenge the murder of our citizens.
As a people we have the power to demand that our media stop second guessing the way the war is fought and to report the facts. We cry out in one voice that we are not ignorant sheep that must be taught; give us the pure facts and let us decide for ourselves. We do not need fifteen talking heads to tell us what the latest attack means to us. We demand that the media honor the sacrifices made by those who are fighting to protect us.
As a nation we must realize the fact that our military is not fighting armed banned of insurgents in Iraq, they are fighting terrorists. To term these criminals as insurgents affords them a status they are not entitled to. It implies they are soldiers fighting for freedom against a dictatorial regime. They are not soldiers and they are not fighting for freedom. They are criminals fighting for domination. A soldier does not randomly kill to achieve his mission, but he does recognize that innocent people are sometimes hurt or killed. A soldier grieves when this happens and does his best to make amends. Terrorists target the innocent and use children as a means to a political end. Those of us with comrades in the press must acknowledge that we are targets of these criminals, just as our soldiers are. We can be injured, kidnapped or killed. Members of the press may see themselves as neutral observers, but they must remember they are members of the American media and are thereby targets by default.
Here at home we must remember we are under the constant threat of another attack. It is not a matter of if, but of when. The train bombing in Spain and bus bombings in London serves as prime examples that this war is far from over. We are hated as a society because of the liberties we enjoy and the values our enemies feel we lack. Those that have attacked us in the past and will strive to attack us again view us as infidels undeserving of sympathy or understanding. They view us as a plague that must be eradiated.
We are fighting an enemy that beyond not caring for their own lives, view their own death as a victory. They are determined, well financed and organized; if we hope to survive we must be the same. No longer can we view terrorism as someone else’s problem for it is a global issue and will remain an issue for years to come. Yes it is time we remember that dark day five years ago and honor those that have died by surviving. Remember how it felt to be an American five years ago and use that feeling to carry the fight to the enemy. It is far better to fight this war in their country than to have the blood flow in the streets of ours.
