17 September 2001
I don't even know where to begin. America's worst nightmare came true on September 11, 2001, and like many of you I saw all of the events unfold right before my very eyes. My initial reaction? Stunned. Sickened. Frightened. Devastated. Sad. Incredible, overwhelming sadness is what I felt... is this really happening? Did I just see thousands of innocent Americans die right before me on live television? My Secondary reaction? ANGER! Feelings of outrage and overwhelming injustice flooded me after I was able to shed the total disbelief that this had actually occurred in our lifetime. My last reaction? The only way I can describe it is a feeling of true patriotism swelling up in me... something that has been taught to me since I was a child, but now the true meaning of it became crystal clear. All of us, no matter what our political views are, our religions, our heritage, our customs and cultures - if we are citizens of the USA then we have but one identity to show the world - we are AMERICANS. I am hoping that this will bring out the best of us and not the worst. I hate to hear stories of angry people taking this out on other American citizens who happen to be Muslim or from the Middle East.. Get the facts folks... and don't let anger steer you the wrong way. Some of these people who are being attacked are model citizens - maybe even better than their attackers! Remember, Timothy McVie was an American white man - did we throw rocks and burn the houses of all white American men we came across because of that one man's hideous act? NOT. Don't let revenge overcome justice. It just diminishes our true American spirit.
As a military spouse, daughter and friend to many current and previous military members, I am humbled and honored to know them and respect the sacrifices they have made and will no doubt have to make in the very near future. It is my deepest hope that we ALL do what is necessary and to prepare ourselves to do what we can to support our country's unique way of life. I truly believe that we can come out of this even stronger and more united than before. America's buildings have been hit and destroyed, but America as a whole remains strong and determined to fight this evil, and as we always have in the past, we WILL come out on top. |
