By Margie McLellan Patriot Day - 9-11: A Day to Remember
I’m sure most every one of us remember where we were on that fateful day, September 11, 2001. Watching the Twin Towers fall in New York City,
along with the Pentagon being hit, and Flight 93 going down, was one of the most tragic things most of us remember in our lives. It was truly devastating
beyond words.
But out of that tragedy, something amazing happened. Our country came together as never before. From the heroic firefighters who gave their lives
saving people in the Twin Towers, to the brave passengers on Flight 93, that kept the plane they were on from hitting the White House, to untold heroes
who also stepped up, the country watched all of this unfold on TV and we all mourned together. We were so filled with a sense of patriotism. It didn’t
matter what part of the country we were from, we all came together, strong in our patriotism.
Yes, Patriotism ran high. Flags were flown from every house, building, places of business, even cars. We were proud Americans, determined to
overcome this tragedy together.
Many young men stepped up to do their duty to God and Country by joining the Military. Many gave their lives to protect our freedom. The government
came together, crossing party lines, to ensure that our safety would be protected from this ever happening again.
Yes, it was truly a coming together as a nation.
Now here we are, almost twenty years later. Many younger Americans weren’t even alive or were too young to remember. Many of us who do
remember seem to have lost the patriotism we felt from that day. We are so split down party lines now, that we can’t even hold decent conversations
with those we disagree with.
Patriot Day is a good way to reunite our country. It is a national day of prayer and remembrance for the 3,000 people we lost to the terror attacks that
day. It is a day to strengthen our resolve to stand together as one nation, one people. A day to remember that we should all regain our sense of patriotism
and pride in our country.
And it is a day we should never forget.
4 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | SEPT 2019