For a moment we were united
I recall that moment like it was yesterday. People gathered around televisions and computers to acquire information regarding the events that were transpiring on American soil. Of course I am referring to September 11, 2001. Four United States passenger airliners were hijacked by terrorists and used as weapons to cause some of the most horrific damage and loss of life in one day in U.S. history.
There were a total 2,977 innocent casualties as a result of the attacks. The evilness of the 19 plane hijackers is still unimaginable to me. But even at the lowest moment following the attacks I, much like the rest of the country, witnessed the bravery and resolve of Americans. When the going gets tough, our countrymen and women truly rise to the occasion. You see I believe the attackers thought Americans would cower in fear and bury our collective heads in the sand. The attacks had the opposite impact on this country. The citizens of the United States picked up our heads, cried out for justice, started picking up the broken pieces and rebuilding.
For a moment in time our country was united. Do you remember when members of Congress stood in front of the U.S. Capitol Building and joined together in singing God Bless America? They were not Democrats, Republicans or Independents; they were Americans crying out to a Creator to show favor and mercy on our great country. This simple performance also showed the rest of the country that we could put aside our differences and be united for a common cause. Maybe our current members of Congress should get up each morning and watch a replay of that performance on YouTube as a reminder that they are Americans first and foremost and also remember what made this country great; our trust in God and united leadership. Even average citizens seemed to be united, at least for a little while.
Then days turned to weeks, weeks to months and months to years. Where are we now as a country? It seems America is more divided now than before the attacks. Congress can’t agree on or accomplish anything…American morality is declining at a rapid pace…Racial divide is growing…Special interest is on the attack everywhere…Political correctness is repressing basic freedom…Ad nauseam.
I feel that our country is a pressure pot that is starting to spew steam and whistle. Will we implode?
True leadership has never been needed more in America and there is very little being offered at the current moment, which is heartbreaking when you consider the lives that have been lost to make this country great. Today many of our politicians seem focused on dividing instead of uniting. Will we ever learn as a nation? As election season (midterm elections) begins to heat up again in the coming months, I think it would be important for voters to ask candidates how they will work to unite our country. Let’s hope and pray it never takes another 9/11 to unite us again.
We will never forget, or will we?
-Jamie Gardner
For a moment in time our country was united. Do you remember when members of Congress stood in front of the U.S. Capitol Building and joined together in singing God Bless America? They were not Democrats, Republicans or Independents; they were Americans crying out to a Creator to show favor and mercy on our great country. This simple performance also showed the rest of the country that we could put aside our differences and be united for a common cause. Maybe our current members of Congress should get up each morning and watch a replay of that performance on YouTube as a reminder that they are Americans first and foremost and also remember what made this country great; our trust in God and united leadership. Even average citizens seemed to be united, at least for a little while.
Then days turned to weeks, weeks to months and months to years. Where are we now as a country? It seems America is more divided now than before the attacks. Congress can’t agree on or accomplish anything…American morality is declining at a rapid pace…Racial divide is growing…Special interest is on the attack everywhere…Political correctness is repressing basic freedom…Ad nauseam.
I feel that our country is a pressure pot that is starting to spew steam and whistle. Will we implode?
True leadership has never been needed more in America and there is very little being offered at the current moment, which is heartbreaking when you consider the lives that have been lost to make this country great. Today many of our politicians seem focused on dividing instead of uniting. Will we ever learn as a nation? As election season (midterm elections) begins to heat up again in the coming months, I think it would be important for voters to ask candidates how they will work to unite our country. Let’s hope and pray it never takes another 9/11 to unite us again.
We will never forget, or will we?
-Jamie Gardner
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