REMEMBRANCE

This month will be the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that became known simply as 9-11. It seems as though every generation has an event that becomes engrained in their memories so deeply, that they can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing the second it happened. Ask a Baby Boomer about the day JFK was shot or grandparents about Pearl Harbor and they will fill you in on every detail as if it were yesterday.

“Remember the Maine”, “Remember the Alamo”, “Remember the Shot Heard ‘Round the World” and on and on the list goes. I fear the list will grow with more frequency from now on but that’s just me. Each time, the incident became a battle cry or phrase that gave a feeling or reverence and patriotism. At the very least, they were incidences that brought us together.

9-11 however, was different in one way. It gave us such things as political correctness and Homeland Security and has divided our country. Political correctness has been the biggest oxymoron in history. Here, in the U.S., we aren’t even supposed to use the word, “terrorist”. Muslim extremists between the ages of 17 and 34 were the cause of 9-11 but Homeland security targets the little old ladies and toddlers at the airports because they are afraid of being labeled as intolerant.

I could rant and rave about political correctness and the huge division between liberals and conservatives, Christians and Muslims, terrorism and all the things the world has come to know since 9-11, for pages and pages. It was a day that changed the world forever and, unfortunately, like everyone else, I can remember exactly what I was doing at that time.

Yes, each year, when 9-11 passes, I think about the phone call that started my day from a friend in Indianapolis. He was in tears and told me to turn on the TV to any channel. We watched in horror as flames engulfed the first tower and couldn’t believe what we saw as the second plane hit the second tower. We felt horror, pain, anger, rage and many other adjectives but most of all, helplessness. We were not alone; the whole world was watching.

It does me no good to dwell on it though, because that would take away from the memory of those that died that day. Many great stories of heroism from police, firemen, office workers and passersby came to light that day. Some even claim angels saved them that day. There just wasn’t enough time or enough angels to save them all so this September 11th, take time to pray in remembrance.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalm 23 4-5