Seven years ago today our country watched in horror as terrorists used hijacked commercial aircraft to attack us. The aircraft were taken over and piloted by men intent on trading their lives for hundreds of thousands of innocent American lives - as well as citizens of other countries who may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such circumstances lead us to make statements we never thought would be comprehendible; statements like:
- Thank God we only lost about 3,000 citizens.
- The Pentagon was attacked and it wasn't even the lead news story of the day.
- The brave people on Flight 93 whose resistance against the attackers led to their own deaths were heroes.
Our lives in America changed in ways we never would have imagined in our wildest nightmares and in ways we wish we didn't have to accept or deal with. Our every day reality changed. That we can be thankful to have only lost 3,000 citizens; that an attack on our military's prime command center wasn't the lead news story; that we would honor a plane crash as successful resistance. These are realities that force us to accept a new existence in America: an existence that accepts, on a daily basis, that we may again be the target for a terrorist attack. Indeed, we know we have been and that many more lives would have been lost except for the excellent work of our federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies.
I didn't feel up to the task of writing an entire article about 9/11 on my own, so I asked for help from a lot of folks. I asked them to send me over thoughts or feelings they have on this anniversary. I think it's a comment on the impact of this date that many of those asked responded within 10 or 15 minutes. These are the same people that - at times - it can take a week to get a reply from. For this they put all else on hold; they put it aside; they MADE the time to share what they feel and think. One was worried whether or not their comments sounded "dumb". My reply was simple and I'd make the same comment to each of you who wants to share how you feel today: It's what you feel. That's intensely personal and no man has the right to call your feelings dumb.
So, the remainder of this article is going to be comments I've received back from those I contacted. As you read them I would ask you to think about a few things and then act accordingly:
- Is your American flag flying proudly every day?
- Have you thanked a person in uniform lately? ANYONE who protects, serves, defends or performs any other public safety function needs appreciation.
From John Wills, O.com Training & Ethics contributor:
The scenes that I witnessed while on site as an FBI Agent at both the Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania will forever be etched in my memory. If I ever had any doubts that Satan was indeed among us, working to destroy our wonderful country and extinguish it's bright beacon of freedom, those doubts were laid to rest on that day. I thought to myself that our way of life in America will forever be changed by these tragic, historic events. And as I watched five bus loads of United Airlines flight 93 families stand on top of the knoll at Shaksville, PA, my resolve was strengthened as was my faith. My hope is that those brave Americans that perished on that fateful day will never be forgotten.
From Ronnie Garrett, editor of Law Enforcement Technology magazine:
On September 11, 2001, the staff at Cygnus gathered in a conference room and watched in stunned silence as the first tower fell. It was a sobering moment that left everyone in this country feeling vulnerable and more than a little afraid. My fear is over time the sting of those tragic moments on that fateful day have lessened, and we are not taking the threat of terrorism as seriously as we once did. I would like to ask that everyone use the seventh anniversary of 9/11 as a day to reflect, remember those we lost, and plan for our future. This can happen again, and everyone - in law enforcement and beyond - needs to be prepared.
From a patriotic citizen:
May God bless all those who lost loved ones. I hope we never have such an act against our country again.From Bob Luikens, Cygnus Law Enforcement Group, Expo division: Seven years ago, I awoke in my bed to the site of the world trade center on fire and the commentators talking about how air traffic controllers had made a tragic error in vectoring a commercial airliner into one of the largest landmarks in the US. As the second plane hit, it became abundantly clear that this wasn't controller error, that terrorism indeed had hit the U.S. and that the world would be forever changed.
For those of us that work in law enforcement, it opened our eyes to a world few had ever dared think about. No longer was it just high speed pursuits, gangs and drug lords. Now, it was suicide bombers, weapons of mass destruction, active shooter responses and terrorism that might be part of what comes over the 911 call or on the officer's radio from dispatch.
Everything from the products they use to the training they receive to the funding they have to go out and beg/borrow/steal to get highlights that although we have had 7 years to prepare, the day we are all dreading still may be out there. And it is those select few who have chosen to put their lives on the line and serve that help keep us safe every day. While I thank God every day for the best military in the world, I'm even more thankful there is a policeman on the corner risking their life, making sure I can sleep safely in my bed at night.
We must never forget that while we are safe today, there are those that are actively planning the next 9/11. God help us if they are successful.
From Patrick Bernardo, Cygnus Law Enforcement Group Brand Director:
For me, each subsequent 911 anniversary has been a reminder of not only those who lost their lives that day but all of the families ruined as a result. Having spent time at Ground Zero shortly after this event, it's clear the anguish many, many families felt and are still feeling to this day. My son was born a month after 911, and I wondered then what kind of a world he was going to grow up in. I still wonder that today.
From Brad Thor #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Patriot:
Hard to believe it has been seven years since the attack. What is frightening is that is exactly what I said back in 2000 - seven years after the first attempt on the WTC in 1993 and one year before they succeeded in bringing the towers down in 2001. I have deep concerns over what this next year may bring.
From a hard working state trooper:
We all realize that many do not share our thoughts or feelings about this tragedy. The fact is these bastards are still here and waiting and those in power for the most part think the danger is over. We must not let our guard down for our sake, our family's sake, and most of all for those who gave there lives that terrible day and for those who to continue to give here and overseas.From David Grow, patriotic citizen: Seven years ago terrorists took what they called symbols of American technology and plowed them into our centers of finance and government in an attempt to bring our nation to its knees. Instead, they brought it to its feet. Since that time, the Washington, DC area has endured additional acts of depravity from a serial sniper to an anthrax mailer, and yet every new, sick deed has seen the nation stand tall anew. On 9/11 we lost about 3,000 Americans and somehow became a unified nation of 300,000,000 Americans. We reached across the globe, whether right or wrong, and turned the tides on Al Qaeda and the Taliban, seeing Arab turn against Arab in realizing that the American way of freedom and decency is worth risking everything to prevent the sickness and depravity that we saw on 9/11, and that the Middle East sees so often.
Life is different now. We think about whether each sad event has a tie to terrorism. We consider whether tomorrow could bring another attack. We look over our shoulders more. However, we also know that our backs are covered by other Americans; that no hijacker will ever survive the attempt again; that our military can turn the tide of war and national and ethnic sentiments; and that our nation and its people has learned to value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as causes to rally to arms, and not as mere birth rights.
I have spent my career serving the military. Most of you reading this column have spent yours in law enforcement. We share the role of protecting our citizens from all threats, foreign and domestic. We share the responsibility of upholding our Constitution. We bear a heavy burden, but we are truly blessed, for there are precious few other principles worthy of a lifetime of public service. It's no wonder we all stand tall. Thank you, my fine brothers in blue.
From Steve Forgues: police officer, writer, small business owner:
Today, even seven years later, I still feel the pain of the great loss that our Country endured due to the terrorists actions on that day. Most Americans felt the pain that day and continued to feel the pain for several months and years, especially those related to those that lost their lives. Although it was such a tragic day, I think that American Pride was reborn and was stronger than ever, at least for awhile. Unfortunately, it seems that many people have buried what happened deep in their mind and wish to complain about the inconveniences that we must face when we travel. Personally, I do think that some of the security measures that have been put in place are idiotic, and other measures should be heightened. In regards to the War on Terror; maybe we shouldn't be there, maybe we were lied to. Whatever the case may be, we didn't start this war, it was initially brought to us, now we have brought it to them and we should end it with victory. We as Americans should not allow another terrorist attack like 9/11 happen again, and if it does, something along the way has failed, but we should stand up strong again just as we did before and return fire and show that we will not be bullied. Be proud to be an American; Be proud to be Free.
After reading through those it's easy to see how much of an impact the events of 9/11 still have on us emotionally on the personal level, and simply in our daily lives. The passion felt and the sadness that lingers is easy to see.
We at Officer.com invite you to share your thoughts and feelings through the comments area below. Let us know how those events changed your life; your outlook; the world through your eyes.
God Bless America!
