As I turned into the living room I saw the images on the TV screen and noticed my parents were watching in utter shock and dismay... then we saw the second plane hit. What a sickening feeling. It still disturbs me and I need to look away when it is replayed on television. How can humans be so misguided and full of hate that they will destroy lives? That morning I drove to my English 101 class, and remember how strange it was to see no planes taking off or landing at Sky Harbor. We sat in class discussing what we were feeling. That evening I was scheduled to work, and we ended up closing the store early.
Last month I had the opportunity to meet up with Adam in Baltimore, Maryland while he was out there for the annual Veterans Administration conference. We rode the train into Washington, DC and although there was an earthquake, and Hurricane Irene closed down a few of the places we planned on visiting, my husband and I managed to explore the DC area and Alexandria, VA. Here is our grand ole flag presented proudly on the streets where our Constitution was penned and historic events have taken place for centuries... even before the United States was formed.
Here is to the men and women who sacrifice everything to make sure our country remains "free" and safe. While we sit comfortably in our homes, where we do not have to worry about the constant threat of death, suicide bombers, IUDs, and roadside bombs--please take a moment to remember how many people are losing their lives to the misguided souls and evil forces that seem to have a grip on so many places in the world right now. Please remember the troops who are deployed and leaving their families, sometimes never meeting their children because their lives have been taken away too soon. To the troops who come back, trying to escape the haunting memories they experienced during their time away. To the families who struggle every day.
Let us not forget the true meaning of being an American (as so many have seemed to these days.) Let us do what we can as US citizens to guard the place so many are proud to call home. Democrat, republican, libertarian, green party, tea party, independent, black, white, brown, red, yellow, blue, purple, grey, Catholic, Mormon, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, Spiritual, gay, lesbian, straight, bi, trans, men, women, children, rich, poor, middle class, lower class, homeless, found, lost... why hate a person because he or she is different than you? Please be thankful to live in a country where we can be who we are, the way we are born. Be kind to one another. This is a country where whether or not you agree with the President, or the government, you can speak your opinions freely without the fear of a dictatorship killing you for not agreeing with them. Until you get to know someone, you have no idea what he or she has gone through. Prejudice is a tool of the wicked and I believe we can overcome it. By continuing to cultivate prejudice, it makes us no better than those who pray for our country's demise. Though our differences may seem vast... we are more similar than we think. Let us not preach the hate that breeds terrorism. Foolish as it seems, I want to believe that someday, good will overshadow evil. I am proud to be an American.
One of the most poignant results of 9/11 was how in the days and weeks following the attack, people banded together and we were a human race. We were united. Does it take a vicious attack on our soil to drop our walls and accept one another, albeit a short amount of time? I hope not.
I will step off my soapbox... it's been a really long time since I have publicly posted my feelings. So... there they are, even if no one is reading this. Here is a tribute to our Nation's capital, and the stars and stripes.
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