Thoughts for today...I will Always Remember!

On this momentous day I find myself humbled at the sacrifice so many have made and how little it has changed our collective views and in reality our daily lives. For many who where touched directly by the tragedy of that day and the prosecution of two wars it was a turning point; an irreversible source of loss, a deep and abiding respect for those who sacrificed, an empty space in their lives forever. Those are the emotions of this day that so many of us try to share, but many more of us were fortunate. We didn't know anyone personally who was lost, we visited the sights of the tragedy in an attempt to make sense of it...disbelief turned to fear and anger. Many volunteered and/or donated to the 'cause'. There is a generation of soldiers and workers who made career decisions to participate somehow in the response. Many of those have lost their lives or are returned to us in a less than whole way. The wounds of the last decade are deeper than most really understand. Most who were old enough to remember, can likely tell you exactly where they were when they first heard the news. But how many of us have chosen to truly serve? Songs have been written, some reflective some angry. Much has been done in the name of  9/11; but what has really changed? How has our society and our world responded to the challenge of terrorism and war?

In the days following the tragedy of 9/11 we as a country felt in a way we probably hadn't for 50 years or more, but that surge of emotion that has since been channeled in many directions. Our unity is faltering and our purpose is clouded. Many people espouse ideas and act in ways that are based on fear at best and hate at worst. What do we as a country want to be? Are we living and acting in ways that honor the sacrifice of so many? Do we appreciate the Greatest Generation of the 1940's and recognize the Greatest Generation Next who serve today? 

As the very fortunate son and brother of veterans and as someone who has had a career that has at times allowed me to feel a part of something larger than myself; I am both humbled and distressed by the various things done in the name of 9/11. The oath taken by those who serve both as military and civilian often includes the phrase "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" or "preserve, protect and defend." Conspicuous in it's absence is mention directly of protecting life and property. While this is clearly a duty of those engaged in such roles I believe the oath should remind us of what so many have sacrificed and died for. It is not a particular piece of dirt or symbol such as a flag. In fact in living memory many more soldiers in combat have died on foreign soil than at home...for this we should all feel grateful and should ask ourselves what is it about 'us' that deserves that measure of sacrifice? What are we fighting for and what are 'we' willing to sacrifice. Many are called, serve and sacrifice as soldiers, firefighters, police...and their families.

On days like today I am challenged to remember that when my father went to war at 18 he was crossing an ocean and fighting on foreign soil, not for a king or treasure, but for an idea captured in words. An idea that, while unique in our language and the construction of our republic, is treasured by many beyond our shores. I believe that we should be mindful of that unique place that we as a country and our constitution as it's foundation have in the world; preserving, protecting and defending our constitution first. We should not fight out of fear or hate, but from resolve that we are protecting something greater than individual lives, property and treasure. My father was a quiet and very stoic man, only late in his life did I begin to appreciate the depth of his service and sacrifice made not for himself or his family, but for a country and constitution he believed in. A country of freedoms and liberties for everyone, not just fir those who are most like us; because only a generation or two ago I was not like most of us...from whatever century, we are in our past immigrants, foreigners in a country and society that we now claim as our own.


I will Never Forget...and more importantly I will Always Remember!