"Today our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. These acts shattered steel but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
--President George W. Bush, Address to the Nation following 9/11/01
--President George W. Bush, Address to the Nation following 9/11/01
As we pause on this holiday weekend to enjoy time with family and friends, there is a looming anniversary on the horizon. "Anniversary" seems to be not quite the word for it because that is so often associated with a celebration.
America will not be "celebrating" the 10th anniversary of 9/11 one week from today. We will be remembering ... praying ... grieving the loss of those 3,000 innocent souls on that clear September day ten years ago. We will grieve the loss of more than 6,000 American and Allied troops lost in the war on terrorism waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, both hot beds of radical Islam.
We will also grieve the loss of our innocence as a nation, an innocence that crashed and burned as each of the terrorist-piloted airplanes hit their intended targets.
From those ashes, however, grew a patriotic surge that backlashed against the terrorists who were determined to beat down America's spirit. Instead, their cowardly acts united all Americans as members of Congress came together on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to show solidarity to the world. American flags became dominant throughout the streets and plazas, on vehicles and lapels and store fronts and homes.
Sadly, ten years later, many have fallen back into the complacency that prevailed prior to 9/11. As American flags faded and became tattered with time, many were removed and not replaced.
It's important that we never forgot. It's important that we teach our children so they will know that crucial, tragic chapter in our history. It's important that we remain vigilant. And it's important that we support those men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, protecting the homeland and the freedoms that we all enjoy.
9/11 ... may we never forget.
America will not be "celebrating" the 10th anniversary of 9/11 one week from today. We will be remembering ... praying ... grieving the loss of those 3,000 innocent souls on that clear September day ten years ago. We will grieve the loss of more than 6,000 American and Allied troops lost in the war on terrorism waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, both hot beds of radical Islam.
We will also grieve the loss of our innocence as a nation, an innocence that crashed and burned as each of the terrorist-piloted airplanes hit their intended targets.
From those ashes, however, grew a patriotic surge that backlashed against the terrorists who were determined to beat down America's spirit. Instead, their cowardly acts united all Americans as members of Congress came together on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to show solidarity to the world. American flags became dominant throughout the streets and plazas, on vehicles and lapels and store fronts and homes.
Sadly, ten years later, many have fallen back into the complacency that prevailed prior to 9/11. As American flags faded and became tattered with time, many were removed and not replaced.
It's important that we never forgot. It's important that we teach our children so they will know that crucial, tragic chapter in our history. It's important that we remain vigilant. And it's important that we support those men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, protecting the homeland and the freedoms that we all enjoy.
9/11 ... may we never forget.
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