Posted by Rich on March 11, 2002 at 04:17:29:
still, the pain refuses to go away my eyes still well up, quite regularly, at the thought of it all and I find myself wishing that this were MY time, rather than the Vietnam-era. I feel the need to do more than talk & feel anger. I feel the need to do something, to act. I find myself wishing I could defend my country.
Today is March 11. Six short months. And yet, an eternity. I felt then that I would never forget. I am, certain of that now. I am so proud to be an American this day. In my life, I never had a problem feeling proud of those who came before the men at Lexington Green the Alamo Pearl Harbor. But, in my day, it was never quite the same until September 11.
On that horrific day, I saw American strength burst forth. I saw heroism, in the midst of unbelievable devastation and turmoil, from ordinary citizens. I cried that day, and through the weeks following, and to this day still, more than I ever have. Sometimes in sorrow at the senseless death of my countrymen; sometimes in joy when the country-less, mercenary thugs, behind my sorrow, felt the power of that American strength.
Since that day, I have seen signs of the OTHER side of America, and the World the criticism of our treatment of this criminal riff-raff, over the spirit of patriotism that permeates most of our hallowed country, the outcry over the word GOD.
It all means nothing. When I see the President of these United States nearly choke up when addressing the family of a killed hero of the war, I know Im not alone. I see good there. I know it really is a just cause. When a country bumpkin from the hills of North Carolina and I mean that in its best sense, if thats at all possible a co-worker of mine openly sobs at the thought of those entrapped in the World Trade Center, city-slickers from New York City, left amidst chaos & flames to ponder their fate I know the effects are far reaching.
I think often of the terror that those in those buildings, on those planes, may have experienced that unforgettable morning. As horrible as those thoughts are, as upsetting to my psyche, they serve to strengthen my resolve and to cement my love for this country; for my fellow American patriots some of whom are no longer with us. I know, full well, non-Americans, many of them, have a hard time understanding the true meaning of patriotism, and I cannot describe it for them it is something from within, something you must feel, and it took me nearly 50 years to finally revel in its warmth. But I truly do feel it now. For that, I am so very grateful.
I salute the innocents who died in that holocaust; I salute the Armed Forces for bringing justice to those responsible for causing it.
We have, I fear, a long road ahead. But my personal resolve will not waiver. I will remember September 11 always. I will not forget.
God bless all those who perished on that surreal day God bless those who risked their own lives saving thousands more God bless all the grieving family & friends who have had to endure 6 months of shear misery trying to come to grips with the unexpected and needless deaths of their loved ones God bless our politicians, intelligence officials, and law-enforcement personnel for immediately coming together and focusing on the job at hand God bless our dedicated armed forces for relentlessly pursuing and defeating a ruthless enemy God bless our President for fearlessly leading us through these troubled times God bless all of us, Americans and our friends around the World, for our continued & undying support of the effort
It must continue to its end
and, thanks to a strong American President, and an even stronger collective American resolve, it most certainly will. We must not forget why it is we are engaged; we must never allow the distractions of a tiny minority to lessen the focus. It really is about right & wrong, good & evil
We must NEVER forget that
ever
.