Saturday, September 11, 2010

Remembrance

After reading Pat's moving 9/11 tribute (read it here), I felt compelled to repost my 9-11 remembrance from last year. Please, everyone take a moment today to remember all those who lost their lives on that terrible day, and keep their families in your prayers. And please, try and remember the foundation of tolerance and respect that our country was built upon.


Photo courtesy of Google Images

On waking this morning, I prepared myself for the onslaught of memorials, pictures and reflections on 9-11. I remember exactly where I was (at work) when the attacks occurred. DH called me at work and told me that a plane had just flown into the World Trade Center. Thinking that it was small private plane, he quickly informed me as to what was really happening. We do not have a television or radio at our clinic, and at the time we did not have internet access. So the entire day was spent grilling clients who came in.
What I remember most clearly from the days, weeks and months that followed this horrific attack is the sense of pride and unity. No one was going to bring this country to it's knees. The sense of thankfulness for our firefighters and police officers who willingly went into the inferno to save lives and bring some semblance of order to chaos. The picture that I remember most clearly from this frantic time was of the thousands of people streaming across the bridge leaving Manhattan, with firefighters and police officers going into the city.
As I sit here with my morning coffee, I wonder what we have really learned from this. What happened to our sense of pride and unity? The constant bickering over every little thing, the two political parties acting like a bunch of spoiled schoolchildren. Name calling, mud slinging and ugly, hateful rhetoric spewing from every talk radio station. People, if we cannot pull ourselves together and learn to tolerate each other's differences and opinions, we are letting the terrorists win. Our biggest strength lies in our ability to discuss, work together and learn from each other. Our greatest ally is ourselves! We the People! Not you the democrats and you the republicans and you the "whatever". Our country was formed in response to intolerance and injustice. A place where everyone has the right to change government, just by pulling a little lever. Let's not let our differences tear us apart. Rather, try to remember that it is people from all walks of life, all religious beliefs, all political leanings and all backgrounds that give this country it's strength. It saddens me to think that the only time we can come together as a people and unite in a common cause is when we are under attack.
It is important that we never forget what happened on this fateful day. But it's also important to remember what happened in this great country of ours over 200 years ago. The greatest country on earth, with the greatest system of government on earth, was formed. So while it is important that we fly our flags and wear our lapel pins today, I think it is more important that we keep the flag in our hearts and minds everyday. Make our forefathers proud of what we have become and what we can accomplish. Do not let the terrorists win.
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12 comments:

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Kat, well said. How far we have come, yet how low can we sink? Linda

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post.

Cheryl said...

Nicely written, Kat. We do have short memories, don't we? I'd like to believe this day will begin to bring out the best of us once again.

Blondie's Journal said...

Very well written, Kat. I echo your feelings.

xoxo
Jane

jeff campbell said...

Very, very nice Kat...nice to know ya ;-) Peace and blessings from your friend...

DesignTies said...

I agree, except for one thing -- Canada is the greatest country on earth!! :-) Hey, I have to stand up for my country, eh?? :-)

Kelly

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Nice job, Kat! I must say that as far as American citizens go, I think there tends to be an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude about things...including 9/11. It breaks my heart.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

This is a wonderful post, Kat! I'm in complete agreement with all the things you're writing here!

Dawn Marie said...

We watched alot of the tributes last night and all the feelings came back....surreal, sad, scared, broken hearted.

Just a very sad sad time in America, actually still is in many ways.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Great post, Kat! The one good thing that I saw during those dark days was our unity and sense of national pride. How quickly we forget! BTW...loved your violet! lol And I am imagining the worst in your coffee shop post! Yikes! Gotta go....my boss (little mister A) is calling! lol Have a great week!...hugs...Debbie

xinex said...

We will never let the terrorists win, Kat. Right after the attack, one thing good that came out of it is that we US citizens all became united. I hope it stays that way because some people sometimes forget. How can amyone forget such an intensity of an attack? You are such a good writer....Christine

Daniel J said...

In observance of 911 Ten Years Later
I am an Independent Artist who wrote and composed a beautiful song honoring Survivors and Families of lost loved ones after the 911 terror attack. 

On September 11th, 2001, our lives had forever been changed. In an effort to do their part, many people headed to church to pray,  countless volunteered to give blood, and the majority of us flew flags, all in the name of showing support and uniting our Country. I took to the piano and wrote a song for those whom had fallen and the ones they left behind. My brother Dave added to the honor by creating a presentation which I offer for you now,  to view and reflect. I hope you watch this tribute and decide to send it to everyone you know, and who knows, maybe it will go around the world and give that certain someone who is still grieving, the closure they so desperately want and need.


http://www.youtube.com/user/Danieljmusic
 
Long live the Red, White and Blue.
Daniel J
Danieljmusic@aol.com
http://danieljmusic.com/