Never Forget

Everyone remembers 9/11.  You remember exactly where you were when you heard that a plane had flown into the towers.  It had to have been a tragic accident, right?  Then you remember the horror you felt when you actually saw the second plane hit and heard that another hit the Pentagon.  You remember the despair and, yet pride, for the amazing passengers that diverted Flight 93 when they fought the hijackers and downed their plane in a rural Pennsylvania field rather than allow them to hit their intended target.  The photos and videos of towers falling, of people falling {or jumping}, of heroes running into the very buildings from which others were trying to escape.  I remember.  I cannot forget that day.  It is ingrained into my mind, and twelve years later the wounds are still as fresh.

Another thing, though, that I remember so vividly is the uniting of our great nation.  We were one nation, standing up against those who wished us harm.  We pulled together to help those victims who were affected, physically and emotionally, on that fateful day.  We sent help in the form of money, water, food, manpower, and prayers.  We became more spiritual and began to re-prioritize our lives.  We remembered that "things" weren't the most important things in this life - family and loved ones recaptured that place of honor in our hearts.  We came together, one nation under God, once again.  It was a beautiful feeling - the sense that we were "in this" together.

Somewhere along the way, we, as a nation, have forgotten that feeling.  Many of us have forgotten that we are one people, regardless of race, religion, sex, or creed.  We have turned into a country that is split by political beliefs, the color of our skin, or our sexual orientation. Now, I am not going to get into any debate about what I believe is right or for which "side" I vote.  That's the point. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter.  Just think about it:  if it had been you in the towers or the planes or the Pentagon, would you care if the person next to you had skin of a different color or prayed a particular way?  Would you have turned away from them if they needed help?

I challenge us, as Americans, to stand together again.

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.

Never forget the innocent people that were lost that day.  Never forget the heroes who stood to fight, then and now, for our safety and freedom.  Never forget 9/11.  Never forget that our nation, no matter what, will endure because our people are heroes, even in the everyday.  We are the UNITED States of America.  Let us never forget.

*PS - I chose to use my own photos of Old Glory and I realize that they don't show the entire flag.  There is no disrespect meant here, so please do not take offense.