Never, Ever Forget

Today's the sixth anniversary of the worst attack on America (that would be September 11th for those who need it spelled out for you). It's kind of hard to "celebrate" something like this because most people either A) want to forget it ever happened or B) want to punch the crap out of the buttwipes that are responsible for it (in case you're wondering, I fall into the B category).

The thing that really frustrates me is that less than ten years ago we were attacked by a bunch of radical nutcases bent on destroying us who don't care if they survive and not one single American seems to care. Yesterday, there was a report on the radio that most schools weren't even going to acknowledge the day because it would scare kids. Jeez, if discussing history and current events is scary, no wonder we're becoming a nation of wussies.

I'm not saying that we have to dwell on the doomsday aspect of it and I'm not saying that today should be all tears and mourning. We do have our daily lives to get through. But we shouldn't let it pass by without a thought either. The following is an column I wrote for the Snow College newspaper a few years ago (it was the third anniversary of 9-11, so it was three years ago). It's as pertinent today as it was then, perhaps even more, so I'm posting it here:

( The United State of Americans )

If you want to let this day pass without remembering the lives lost on 9-11-01 and the way life has changed since then, that's your business and you're free to do so. But I'll be damned if I don't show my support and remember this day the way it deserves to be remembered. I was pissed off beyond anything that day and if a terrorist showed up in my path today, I would not hesitate to beat the snot out of the bastard (I'm not typically a violent person but for 3,000 innocent lives, I could make an exception).

Y'know, we like to fangirl and geek out over fictional heroes (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, 24, Heroes, various anime, etc.), but the firemen, police officers, passengers on United 93, anyone who helped others get to safety on 9-11 and, of course, the troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq are the real heroes.  I think the reason these kinds of stories are ringing true now is because of the times we are living in.  We can relate to the stories of heroes and sacrifice because we are witnessing it every day.  Human beings naturally gravitate toward heroes in real life and fiction because they inspire greatness - they represent a chance that the world is still inherently good, despite all evidence to the contrary.  If nothing else, September 11 gave us heroes to look up to.

(Hm, terrorists wanted us to despair and fear, but really, they set events in motion that give us reason to hope.  I'm chuckling at the amusing irony of it all ^_^)

And here are a few more icons to commemorate the day (these and the ones at the beginning are all by kc_anathema - I've used up all my available LJ icon slots.  Oh well, I'll settle for my John Wayne Gryffindor quote - he was a pretty heroic American):

 

September 11 - It may not be a "happy" holiday, but remember it. Just remember.

God bless America.  My home, sweet home.