Do You Remember?

 

Back then…

On this day eighteen years ago, I was walking down the hallway in my dorm and a student told me to take a look at the T.V. screen. At the time, I had no idea what building was being attacked or what was happening. All I was focused on was getting to class.

I remember saying, “What an idiot,” assuming it was pilot error or something similar. It wasn’t until we sat in our class for twenty minutes before we were told why our teacher hadn’t shown up.

She had friends that worked in the World Trade Center and knew exactly what my under-developed sense of world affairs didn’t know: we were on the cusp of war.

When everything hit, my brother lived in Buffalo New York, which was far from New York city. But, with his job, he occasionally travelled well out of his city. My mom was concerned he might be in closer than we thought to the disaster. My dad was also still on active duty in the Navy. This meant he was put on alert as was all other active members in uniform.

I remember being upset and worried about my brother and the little chance he was actually in danger. And then worrying about my dad and his chances of being put in motion. It was all so surreal, especially when there were others with much bigger reasons to worry.

War broke out and we wanted someone to pay for the attack on our great nation. Patriotism was once again a good thing as we supported our troops. We watched as thousands were shipped overseas to try and bring down a global terrorist.

And Now…

Eighteen years later, as I scroll through social media, I see groups saying they can’t post about 9/11 and the tragedies. It’s being reported the posts are too graphic, it might upset some people. Well, I think we need to start getting upset.

Our nation is in freefall, division and political dysfunction has destroyed our ability to function, much less be patriotic. We now are discouraged to remember why we have a military to defend and protect us. To do so would mean we have to remember the history of our own nation, something many consider obscene.

So many lives were lost that day that were innocent of governmental affairs. Yet they paid the price and our men and women in different uniforms stepped up and put themselves in harms way. Many died to save those at ground zero and many others went overseas to stop the terrorism from attacking here again.

Most of the posts you’ll read today say Never Forget 9/11. But I wonder just how many Americans really have? Unless we were directly effected by the loss of a loved one or friend, I think a lot of Americans have easily forgotten and moved on.

So I’m asking, when 9/11 rolls around, do you think about the destruction and devastation an unbridled attack on our country caused? Or is all you think about is the political downfall and repercussions of going to war? If so, I’m asking you to put aside your politics and think about the attacks for what they were: an act of terrorism by a specific group of terrorists who hate our nation, our beliefs, our people.

Today, remember those that died, those that suffered loss and those that to this day, still defend and sacrifice to protect the country we should all love.

Do you remember 9/11?