A question of patriotism.
As I sit at my PC on 9/11/22, I am reflecting on that fateful day 21 years ago. I remember sitting at my desk at work. I was a phone tech at the time, and we got our first info from customers, as things transpired. Streaming was in its infancy, so we didn’t have instant access to anything. CNN’s website, along with several others, continually crashed, which was not only frustrating for us in my group, but three of our coworkers had family members in the Towers and one at the Pentagon.
Eventually, one of our active outdoors techs brought in a portable TV/Radio and we got our first glimpses of the Towers being struck. I remember feeling numb, then nauseous.
I went back to my desk and called my mother, and told her to turn on the news. I was so rattled, I hadn’t told her to prepare herself. She sat on the end of her bed and watched in shock.
Out tech inbound call system started to have issues, and eventually didn’t work for a couple hours. It wasn’t related, I don’t think, but a sobering coincidence.
My coworkers were finally able to get word back that all of their family members were safe, which was a relief to all of us, as well.
That afternoon, I hurried home and sat down with my step-daughter and wife, at the time, and we watched the news. It was the first uninterrupted glimpse I’d had of the whole 9/11 tragedy. Trying to be good parents, Sherrie and I talked with Haley about it, and then put on a movie for everyone to watch.
Much has changed since I first watched the Towers come down. My step-daughter now has her own kids, beautiful and perfect. (Of course, I’m a grandpa, so I’m biased.)
I remember how patriotic everyone was after 9/11. The country, and to a lesser degree, the world, came together in a show of solidarity and patriotism.
What has happened to us over the last 2 decades? We went from loving one another, regardless of political, social or religious differences, to attacking each other on the street, assaulting one another for even having a differing point-of-view, killing men, women, and even children, for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This is not the country that our fathers, mothers, and friends fought and died to protect! I know my own father and grandfathers would hang their heads if they could stand with me now and see what we’ve become.
It has got to stop! I don’t care what your affiliations are, who you run with, what you voted for, or who your family is. Somehow, we need to get back to that patriotic love for each other and this incredible land that we’ve all been blessed with!
Certainly, life is not going to be easy, nor will it be pain-free, but if each of us pulls our weight, and helps our brethren to do the same, instead of pulling the rug out from under them, I firmly believe we can return to that place in our hearts and minds. The place where we stood proud of our heritage, our homeland, of the love we have for our neighbors and friends, and look on Old Glory with full hearts and the desire to do good, regardless of our differences. I believe we can do this! It will take a concerted effort, but it can be done!
I still get chills at times, when reciting:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All!
I truly pray we can get back to that place. Otherwise, I don’t see a way for this glorious country of ours to survive.