9/11:Let's Remember

Five years has passed since the worst day in American history. To me it feels like yesterday, while at the same time, it feels like a generation ago. The day was unprecedented in its evil and savagery. Nineteen men hijacking planes with the intent of using them as guided missiles against civilians.

Civilians. That is what many people fail to grasp, that this was an attack against civilians. These were people going to work or traveling on an airplane, just as you and I do. That is why I feel this attack was so much worse than anything that has ever taken place before.

The carnage began on the airplanes where the hijackers gained control by cutting off the heads of the pilots. In a most grisly moment a man formerly of Westchester County, New York, tried to fight the terrorists aboard American Airlines Flight 11 only to have his head cut off which was thrown down the aisle of the plane to the horror of the passengers on board.

I feel it is important to remember what occurred five years ago; from what took place on the planes, in the Twin Towers, on United 93, and at the Pentagon. I do not want to come across as being morbid, however, if we remember the past and the extreme brutality of the terrorists, hopefully we will not allow such an attack to occur again.

I hope that the politicians will do the right thing and make the appropriate visits and refrain from making this a political issue. I am, of course, not naive and know that there will be some if not all who will get a bad case of diarrhea of the mouth.

This is not the time to point fingers. The only direction a finger should be pointed is in the face of the terrorists. Politics should be put aside.

Let's remember that everyone did the best they could that day. It is one thing to perform evacuation drills in practice, however, under extreme pressure that is another story.

Let's remember that in the face of unprecedented horror the bravery of the firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and all the first responders who rushed toward hell to save lives. Let's remember the thousands of lives saved and reflect on the contributions of those lost. Remember the men, women, and children were not only murdered on that day, they were eviscerated.

Let's remember the people who have died since the 9/11 attacks of respiratory ailments and those who are now suffering from similar maladies.

Let's remember the families that have been ravaged by those attacks. The financial toll can be calculated but the psychological toll will never really be known.

Let's remember the extreme sacrifices since that time of the men and women who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also have helped to train armies around the world to combat terrorism in places such as the Philippines, Georgia, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa.

We all have our own personal memories and feelings of what took place five years ago and what has taken place since. I do urge everyone to mark 9/11 in their own personal way. Some will give blood, some will go to cemeteries, or call someone they have not spoken to in some time and some will light candles in churches. I just hope that everyone finds some way to mark this sad, sad anniversary and remember those who suffered in such a perverse and horrible way five years ago.

May God Bless America and the world always.