Any of us that experienced that day most likely remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news or watched the tragic events unfold live during and after the terrorist attacks. 20 years ago, our country got a shock to the system the likes of which we haven't felt since, and some of the comments I've heard the last week leading up to September 11th have me baffled and honestly pissed.
I've heard many people say, "Its been 20 years, it's time to move on" to which I say bullshit. To move on is to allow time to forget, and we should never, ever forget.
Never forget the evil scum that perpetrated the attack.
Never forget the innocent people that tragically lost their lives that day.
Never forget the brave first responders, the heroes that went in to save whatever lives they could, even sacrificing their own to do so.
Never forget the men and women that enlisted in the Armed Forces shortly after 9/11 to fight against those that not only were behind the attack, but any other entity that would attempt to do harm to our country.
Never forget that window of time after 9/11, that unfortunately all too brief period in which American patriotism galvanized and united this country under our flag, our shared beliefs and our love for each and every fellow American.
Young people born after 9/11 or were too young to know simply do not understand what that event did to erase any and all lines of division that we are currently experiencing in our society today. There was no black or white, no male or female, no gay or straight, no young or old, no rich or poor. We were all simply Americans and we all felt the exact same way. Kindness and compassion for our fellow countrymen was at an all time high and I truly feel the worst part about the aftermath of that terrible day was that the massive wave of love, support and strength didn't last nearly long enough.
20 years went by in the blink of an eye, but for a lot of us that day is still fresh in our minds. Please continue to keep it fresh in your mind. If you've got children, when they're old enough tell them about what happened thay day and the unity that came afterward. Never let them forget.
Thats all I've got.
God bless America