Today marks the 7th anniversary of the tragedy most of us simply refer to as 9/11. At 38 years old I still have enough of my brain functions to remember where I was the moment I heard what happened...I was sitting at my desk in Buford, GA at Qualisys Occupational Training. I was the only one in the office that day and received a phone call about the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers in Manhattan (my all time favorite US city). I instantly turned my focus away from work and to the Fox News website to keep a close eye on what was happening. Never very political, I wasn't much into news or anything similar until that day. I watched hours and hours of Fox News and read Newsweek with a new found sense of responsibility and, of course, dedication to the country I have grown to love.
I don't watch as much news today as I did for the weeks following 9/11 because quite frankly most of it is just too sad. I watch certain clips and keep up with some of the "major" news stories, but other than that I prefer to spend my leisure time watching shows that are more up beat and funny in an otherwise morbidly curious society.
I do, however, love to watch and listen to anything having to do with remembering this day 7 years ago. It makes me think of my nephew who is now only 3 years old. He was not born when this happened, he has no recollecton of this event, and I can't help but wonder what he will think years from now when (or maybe IF) this is part of his history book. Will he look at the large high-rise buildings around him and think it impossible for anyone to huff and puff and blow them down? Will something more tragic happen that excludes this event from history books? Will textbook authors decide it is too awful to include or not important enough? One of my history books in SC included information about the start of the grocery chain Piggly Wiggly? Is that more important than a national event that for the most part rocked the world and not just the US?
Whatever you were doing on that day I am sure you remember it vividly. I am sure you are aware that this caused the US to jump into action and go to war in Iraq. A war that by many accounts was a mistake. Let there be no mistake, however, that I believe in doing anything we need to in order to keep the US safe. There are many US soldiers over in Iraq and other countries doing what they feel in their heart is for the safety of our country, their friends and family left behind in this country, and for everyone the world over. Do not disrespect them by announcing your lack of faith in the war - stand behind them and pray for them. They need to know that we stand behind them even if we don't agree. To me it's just like hating your brother but the minute someone says something bad against him you are the first to defend him (heck - you can go back to hating him later when no one is looking). You may not love the choices of a friend or family member, but because you love them you stand behind them. That is what is important right now! Believe in those that are on the front line so that they continue to have the courage to wake up each day and fight.
As the granddaughter of am Army POW/MIA in WWII, the granddaughter of a Navy veteran, the daughter of a Navy veteran (my father was in for 38 years), and the step-daughter of a Navy veteran I commend each and every soldier who fights for my freedom whether on US soil or abroad! Thank you for what you do for my country - the country I love and am proud to call home!
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