Like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1961, last years terrorist strikes on America have etched the date Sept. 11, 2001 into our collective memories.
Its hard to believe its been nearly one year since the Twin Towers were brought down and the Pentagon was hit; one year since the brave passengers on United Flight 93 gave their lives in Pennsylvania battling the terrorists who had taken over the aircraft, perhaps averting an intended attack on the White House.
As the one year anniversary of that horrible Tuesday morning last September approaches, I thought Id share a few random thoughts and opinions:
– I was struck by the terrorists cowardice in their choice of targets, mostly civilians – innocent men, women and children who were simply living their lives. The terrorists responsible for the attacks, and those of their ilk, talk a good game, often invoking pious talk of martyrdom and so forth, but when it comes right down to it, theyre nothing more than murderers motivated by their jealousy of the success of the West in general and America specifically.
– The wall of posters of the missing put up by desperate friends and relatives in the days following the attacks on the World Trade Center has to be one of the saddest things Ive ever seen.
– The wave of patriotism that swept the nation following the attacks has been inspiring. Not since World War II has the country been so united. It was great to see that for all of our differences, were all Americans. Even now, nearly a year later, I still notice there are more American flags displayed, as well as other patriotic sentiments, than before the attacks. We would all do well to remember that while this country is not perfect, there are a lot of things right about America. Why else do you think so many people from all over the world try to come here?
– Though the U.S. has succeeded in removing the despotic Taliban regime from Afghanistan and in doing so denied al-Qaida its base of operations there, we must not lose focus. This will be a long, hard fought struggle against an elusive enemy. For all that is going on in the public arena in Americas battle against terrorism, no doubt much more is going on behind the scenes.
– However you choose to do so, take time this Wednesday to remember the victims of the attacks, the nations public safety officials, and, of course, our brave men and women in uniform in the armed forces.
God bless America.
