I have often wondered at how people would say that they remember quite clearly where they were and what they were doing when they saw the news regarding certain events that include the deaths of John Lennon, Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy. I never experienced anything like that until that fateful morning when my wife brought me in front of the television and we witnessed in shock the events taking place. We watched in amazement as one of the World Trade Centers smoldered and burned from the plane that had struck it and then in horror as we saw the second plane strike the second tower.
Those events combined with that of a third plane striking the Pentagon and a fourth, believed to be heading towards the White House, crashing in a Pennsylvania field are, even still to this day, overwhelming. I can't think of them without getting emotional over the pointless loss of the lives of so many of my fellow Americans and world neighbors. I can't look at the pictures of the events of that day and its aftermath without thinking of the families left incomplete, the friends and coworkers whose associations were broken and all those who live in New York City and the surrounding area that must face a skyline every single day that is missing an essential component to make it complete.
My heart goes out to those families who have been deprived of their loved ones, to those friends and coworkers who have suffered the pains of loss, the denizens of those cities who have grieved and to all the children who were exposed to those images seven years ago and have had to grow up in the shadow of the acts of evil men.
An entire nation lies between me and the locations where those events took place, but each thunderous impact struck my heart as well. It is a day I will never forget.
I generally steer clear of political discussions and debates and so I leave such comments out of my blog postings as well. However, regardless of what any of you may think of our current president and how he and his administration has handled affairs over the past years, my admiration of George W. Bush grew when I heard him speak following the 9/11 attacks. I believe his comments to be one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard. Here is the speech in its entirety:
Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.
~ President George W. Bush
In the time that has passed since the attack on the Twin Towers, it seems that the support for the war on terror has waned. People have been clammoring for us to end our involvement in Iraq and to bring our troops home. While I am a staunch supporter of peace and get no pleasure from the loss of our valiant soldiers, I believe that we must fight the fights that need fighting. We should never give up because it has become difficult. We should not pull back because it isn't our land we are fighting for. The day we do that, the enemy has won.
Freedom is a cause worth fighting for - I don't care if it is at home or abroad. Everybody deserves to be free from the cowardly acts of terrorists and the ruthlessness of dictators. It is a cause that our men and women of the armed services willingly give their lives to defend. It is a cause that so many people lost their lives for that September day when a few evil men attacked it.
If you have suffered from that sense of apathy, if you have grown complacent in the past seven years simply because nothing like those attacks have happened since that day, I urge you to rededicate yourself to the cause of freedom - both at home and abroad!
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
~ Abraham Lincoln
Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863
May God bless you and grant you a long life of peace, happiness and freedom!
Have You Forgotten?
By Darryl Worley
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
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