Today is just another day, or so we so desperately wish with all our being. But today is not just another day, just another Sunday. It is September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the day when the world changed, radically.
The date is one that no real American will ever forget, as the images of horror associated to the events of that day will be part of the history of America for as long as our country will survive as a Nation.
Survivors in New York after the Towers' collapse
The Pentagon(Photo: Christopher Casciano)
We shall never forget the 3,000 souls that were lost on that day, nor their families who will forever have to endure an existence void of their loved one that was taken away by such senseless action. And their sin was merely to have gone to work.
But we should also never forget the way our Nation came together that day to repudiate the hatred that inspired our enemies and rally in the ever living strength of character that is so typically American.
We should also never forget those Americans who responded to such vile attack by joining the United States Military in the wake of the September 11 attacks, knowing very well that the chance of placing their lives in peril was extremely high.
These young men and women made the conscious decision to place themselves between their country, their fellow citizens and their families and the merchants of death that had perpetrated the murder of so many innocent civilians.
There are those who are well known because of their extraordinary valor which earned them the highest decoration of our land, the Medal of Honor: Paul Smith, Jason Dunham, Michael Murphy, Salvatore Giunta, Jared Monti, Robert Miller, Ross McGinnis, Michael Monsoor. These names are forever impressed in the annals of our Nation's history.
But there are countless other names that may be well known just to families and friends, who are just as important and whose sacrifice in the name of American principles, is utterly humbling for each one of us who calls himself an American.
Over 6,000 have paid with their lives for the protection of our country in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that tally continues to sadly grow almost daily. And even if statistically they are a small percentage of the 2.5 million Americans who have joined since September 11, 2001, statistics mean really nothing to the thousands of families affected by each one of those deaths.
Their names alone are the representation of what America is.
Rick Centanni, LCpl USMC, 19.
Ronnie Pallares, SPC US Army, 19.
Alexander "Sasha" Alexeev, SPC US Army, 23.
Rhys Klasno, Sgt. US Army, 20.
Daniel Cagle, Pfc US Army, 22.
Daniel Noble, HM US Navy, 21.
Raul Bravo, LCpl USMC, 21.
Joseph Anzack Jr., Pfc US Army, 20.
William Hall, LtCol. USMC, 38.
Spencer Karol, SPC US Army, 20.
Ramon Mora Jr., Pfc US Army, 19.
Eric Holke, Sgt. US Army, 31.
Shin Kim, Sgt. US Army, 23.
Justin Verdeja, Pfc US Army, 20.
Justin Swanson, LCpl USMC, 21.
Dustin "Doc" Burnett, HM US Navy, 19.
Matthew Ferrara, 1st Lt. US Army, 24.
They represent the true spirit of our Nation. Just look at their names as they clearly demonstrate so many different cultural backgrounds: English, Italian, Russian, Hispanic, Asian.
And yet all united in that special brotherhood that is the very strength of America. And all paid with their life to insure the endurance of such strength.
I have had the honor, as a Patriot Guard Rider, to attend the Military funerals of all those I listed above, and many more. As much as I will never forget the events of that tragic day in September, as much as I will never forget that act of war that changed our world for ever, I will also never forget the sacrifice made by so many young men and women who without hesitation stepped up to protect their country, our country.
So today, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary, I ask that we take some time off the emotional commemorations of those who perished 10 years ago and reflect on those who have died in these wars that we did not ask for, who died to maintain the freedoms we so dearly cherish and, once again, who died for the betterment of others. And at the same time, I ask that we redouble our commitment to make sure that those Gold Star families remain in our thoughts and prayers, and that we offer our compassion and assistance to the thousands of Veterans who have come home with visible and invisible wounds.
It is really the least we can do to earn a small measure of their sacrifices.
Never Forget!
Just my thoughts!
But we should also never forget the way our Nation came together that day to repudiate the hatred that inspired our enemies and rally in the ever living strength of character that is so typically American.
We should also never forget those Americans who responded to such vile attack by joining the United States Military in the wake of the September 11 attacks, knowing very well that the chance of placing their lives in peril was extremely high.
These young men and women made the conscious decision to place themselves between their country, their fellow citizens and their families and the merchants of death that had perpetrated the murder of so many innocent civilians.
There are those who are well known because of their extraordinary valor which earned them the highest decoration of our land, the Medal of Honor: Paul Smith, Jason Dunham, Michael Murphy, Salvatore Giunta, Jared Monti, Robert Miller, Ross McGinnis, Michael Monsoor. These names are forever impressed in the annals of our Nation's history.
But there are countless other names that may be well known just to families and friends, who are just as important and whose sacrifice in the name of American principles, is utterly humbling for each one of us who calls himself an American.
Over 6,000 have paid with their lives for the protection of our country in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that tally continues to sadly grow almost daily. And even if statistically they are a small percentage of the 2.5 million Americans who have joined since September 11, 2001, statistics mean really nothing to the thousands of families affected by each one of those deaths.
Their names alone are the representation of what America is.
Rick Centanni, LCpl USMC, 19.
Ronnie Pallares, SPC US Army, 19.
Alexander "Sasha" Alexeev, SPC US Army, 23.
Rhys Klasno, Sgt. US Army, 20.
Daniel Cagle, Pfc US Army, 22.
Daniel Noble, HM US Navy, 21.
Raul Bravo, LCpl USMC, 21.
Joseph Anzack Jr., Pfc US Army, 20.
William Hall, LtCol. USMC, 38.
Spencer Karol, SPC US Army, 20.
Ramon Mora Jr., Pfc US Army, 19.
Eric Holke, Sgt. US Army, 31.
Shin Kim, Sgt. US Army, 23.
Justin Verdeja, Pfc US Army, 20.
Justin Swanson, LCpl USMC, 21.
Dustin "Doc" Burnett, HM US Navy, 19.
Matthew Ferrara, 1st Lt. US Army, 24.
They represent the true spirit of our Nation. Just look at their names as they clearly demonstrate so many different cultural backgrounds: English, Italian, Russian, Hispanic, Asian.
And yet all united in that special brotherhood that is the very strength of America. And all paid with their life to insure the endurance of such strength.
I have had the honor, as a Patriot Guard Rider, to attend the Military funerals of all those I listed above, and many more. As much as I will never forget the events of that tragic day in September, as much as I will never forget that act of war that changed our world for ever, I will also never forget the sacrifice made by so many young men and women who without hesitation stepped up to protect their country, our country.
So today, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary, I ask that we take some time off the emotional commemorations of those who perished 10 years ago and reflect on those who have died in these wars that we did not ask for, who died to maintain the freedoms we so dearly cherish and, once again, who died for the betterment of others. And at the same time, I ask that we redouble our commitment to make sure that those Gold Star families remain in our thoughts and prayers, and that we offer our compassion and assistance to the thousands of Veterans who have come home with visible and invisible wounds.
It is really the least we can do to earn a small measure of their sacrifices.
Never Forget!
Just my thoughts!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment