Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and it is a great time for one to reflect on how they, and the world around them, have changed. Indeed the impact of the events of 9/11 were so profound, they will continue to shape who we are as a people for many, many more years.
Personally, I will admit I can recall the Oklahoma City bombing, the attempted assassination of President Reagan, and when the Berlin Wall came down; but none of those events stand out like those fateful few hours on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Indeed December 7, 1941 is a day that will live in infamy, and September 11, 2001 is standing there right beside it.
9/11 has changed us all in many ways. The terrorists in Al Qaeda carried out their dastardly deed, murdering thousands of innocent souls including children, fellow Muslims and scores of heroes who simply wanted to help others in their time of need. And while they did manage to fly 3 airplanes into populated areas and inflict huge amounts of damage and chaos, they did fail on Flight 93 as a group of average Americans rose to the occasion and transformed into heroes fighting on the front line.
How indicative of the entire War on Terror they started that day: you might have sucker-punched us when we weren’t looking, but we didn’t fall. We staggered briefly from the attack, and then a group of people who had never met before, who had never trained together, who had never even spoken to one another before boarding that flight, thwarted the years of planning and training of some of your best operatives and ensured Flight 93 would not harm another soul. Their bravery, courage, resourcefulness and determination remain an inspiration to all Americans today.
Much like the events of that day, Al Qaeda did bring down the towers that day, but they did not stop the military machine at the Pentagon. They did not drive an American presence from the Middle East. They (and their kind) did not continue to rule the land in Afghanistan as they had before the attacks. And the ringleader of the group does not enjoy a posh lifestyle in Pakistan any longer, he resides in the depths of hell alongside Adolf Hitler.
They changed our way of life though, and that impact remains the bitterest pill to swallow. Hopefully in time, all of those changes will morph into positives, but there is still a ways to go.
Air travel is nothing like it used to be. The friendly skies are gone, replaced by Trampled Liberty Cattle Car Airlines. One has to undress somewhat (shoes, belt, and whatever is next) just to get the courtesy of traveling by the safest means around. It is safer than ever to fly, but we really should ask ourselves, at what cost. When is enough, enough?
I would contend, much of the contentious and divisive nature of our politics, religion and civil discourse is the result of our still coping with the events of 9/11. In the moments immediately following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, our nation bonded together in a way I doubt had happened since Pearl Harbor. But, as time marched on, we have watched all the camaraderie and patriotism vanish as memories faded and the harsh reality of the new world we live in took hold.
Fear became a new marketing tactic which worked in ways even hypnosis or subliminal advertising could only dream of. Politicians used it to get more power for themselves, the government grew larger (the Department of Homeland Security), whole industries sprang up to take advantage of the fear (Global Warming), and the news media simply found a new format for ratings: constant crisis and foreboding doom.
We should take the time this weekend to reflect: to recall the shared sense of community, the commitment to fight our common enemies, and the determination not to yield to terror.
I hope in the future our country can once again display the kind of unity in purpose displayed by the passengers on Flight 93. We do not have to change our principles, compromise our beliefs or give up our freedoms; but focus on the goals, engage one another in thought and purpose, and move forward.
Indeed, I had so many ideas in my head when I started this blog, and amazingly, I did not end up where I expected. Alas, rather than dive into a discussion of other topics and ideas, I am simply going to leave it where it stands. I hope all of those who lost loved ones that fateful day have found some peace in their lives. I hope our nation never forgets there are those who want to end our way of life, who want us to fail. Rather than let them change our way of life, let’s give them what they least want in life, what they fear most: a strong and united America!
Personally, I will admit I can recall the Oklahoma City bombing, the attempted assassination of President Reagan, and when the Berlin Wall came down; but none of those events stand out like those fateful few hours on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Indeed December 7, 1941 is a day that will live in infamy, and September 11, 2001 is standing there right beside it.
9/11 has changed us all in many ways. The terrorists in Al Qaeda carried out their dastardly deed, murdering thousands of innocent souls including children, fellow Muslims and scores of heroes who simply wanted to help others in their time of need. And while they did manage to fly 3 airplanes into populated areas and inflict huge amounts of damage and chaos, they did fail on Flight 93 as a group of average Americans rose to the occasion and transformed into heroes fighting on the front line.
How indicative of the entire War on Terror they started that day: you might have sucker-punched us when we weren’t looking, but we didn’t fall. We staggered briefly from the attack, and then a group of people who had never met before, who had never trained together, who had never even spoken to one another before boarding that flight, thwarted the years of planning and training of some of your best operatives and ensured Flight 93 would not harm another soul. Their bravery, courage, resourcefulness and determination remain an inspiration to all Americans today.
Much like the events of that day, Al Qaeda did bring down the towers that day, but they did not stop the military machine at the Pentagon. They did not drive an American presence from the Middle East. They (and their kind) did not continue to rule the land in Afghanistan as they had before the attacks. And the ringleader of the group does not enjoy a posh lifestyle in Pakistan any longer, he resides in the depths of hell alongside Adolf Hitler.
They changed our way of life though, and that impact remains the bitterest pill to swallow. Hopefully in time, all of those changes will morph into positives, but there is still a ways to go.
Air travel is nothing like it used to be. The friendly skies are gone, replaced by Trampled Liberty Cattle Car Airlines. One has to undress somewhat (shoes, belt, and whatever is next) just to get the courtesy of traveling by the safest means around. It is safer than ever to fly, but we really should ask ourselves, at what cost. When is enough, enough?
I would contend, much of the contentious and divisive nature of our politics, religion and civil discourse is the result of our still coping with the events of 9/11. In the moments immediately following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, our nation bonded together in a way I doubt had happened since Pearl Harbor. But, as time marched on, we have watched all the camaraderie and patriotism vanish as memories faded and the harsh reality of the new world we live in took hold.
Fear became a new marketing tactic which worked in ways even hypnosis or subliminal advertising could only dream of. Politicians used it to get more power for themselves, the government grew larger (the Department of Homeland Security), whole industries sprang up to take advantage of the fear (Global Warming), and the news media simply found a new format for ratings: constant crisis and foreboding doom.
We should take the time this weekend to reflect: to recall the shared sense of community, the commitment to fight our common enemies, and the determination not to yield to terror.
I hope in the future our country can once again display the kind of unity in purpose displayed by the passengers on Flight 93. We do not have to change our principles, compromise our beliefs or give up our freedoms; but focus on the goals, engage one another in thought and purpose, and move forward.
Indeed, I had so many ideas in my head when I started this blog, and amazingly, I did not end up where I expected. Alas, rather than dive into a discussion of other topics and ideas, I am simply going to leave it where it stands. I hope all of those who lost loved ones that fateful day have found some peace in their lives. I hope our nation never forgets there are those who want to end our way of life, who want us to fail. Rather than let them change our way of life, let’s give them what they least want in life, what they fear most: a strong and united America!
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