I was working the morning of 9-11-2001. I watched the first plane, Flight 11, go into the north tower. We thought it was an accident until Flight 175 flew into the South tower.
Shortly after the 2nd plane hits the United States airspace is shut down. The military was in Force Protection Delta. I’d never been in delta other than an exercise. Our country was being attacked. In the aftermath of all this Americans came together. People were kind and thoughtful toward each other. They wanted to help. Since that day and about a year after that people in this country cared about this country. The flag meant something. I believe 8 years of liberal attitudes have basically “trashed” this country.
President Reagan said on January 11, 1989:
“…The resurgence of national pride…won’t count for much, and it won’t last unless it’s grounded in thoughtfulness and knowledge.”
I think that many Americans need a better knowledge of the Muslim religion and the people. Not all Muslim’s hate America. Some choose other things. I may be wrong but I believe there are things in the Muslim doctrine that are rooted in hate, but many Muslims do not abide them. Part of the problem is a Muslim extremist looks pretty much like everyone else. So how do law enforcement do their job? It’s hard but they do. Many Muslim people, or even some people who are perceived as Muslim, have been abused, terrorized, and treated quite poorly. Some were even murdered. That is sad and wrong. But the understanding should be there. I don’t understand anyone killing someone over nothing, but I do understand the paranoia. After the attack on Pearl Harbor many American citizens, who did nothing except look, or have a name, that was Japanese were treated similarly. It is horrible to think that could happen in this country but it has and does happen. It is unfortunate but I do understand. It is inexcusable, but I do understand.
My father joined the Navy in 1942. He was in the Navy throughout most of the war. While on his ship he had the opportunity to go into Sasebo, Japan as the U.S. occupied Japan. His ship was lead into the harbor by a Japanese officer to get into the harbor safely. He has pictures of this Japanese soldier on his ship. On the back of the picture it says “Nip Officer”. “Nip” is an ethnic slur. My Dad was as far from a racist as you can get. He taught us kids that people are created equal and that no one is better than anyone else. When I asked about the picture he said, “It’s what you have to do to kill another human being.” The Japanese were the enemy. To kill them it’s hard to do unless you consider them less than what they are. My Dad told me that if you considered the enemy as Fathers and brothers with kids and wives and a life in Japan you would have a hard time killing them. So they were reduced down to “Nips”. So the Japanese/Americans were mistreated, put in camps, and regarded deplorably. It was a sad time in our history.
Killing the enemy is not easy, even if you are justified by defending your country. The same goes for “rag heads” or “hajis”. That’s what they are reduced to.
Treating Muslim Americans badly is never good but it is an understandable response given the circumstances of 9 11. It does not make it right.
Neither is trampling everyone’s rights and passing a horrible law as the Patriot Act. We said “Screw the Constitution, we need to feel safe!” But as we know, we’re really not safer because of this suspending of God-given rights.
But the right to trample the flag and to call my country less than it is can enrage those who fought for those rights. I fought and killed the enemy under the flag that some so easily burn. It’s hard to watch others “get away” with downing this country that gives them the freedom to do those horrible things. Freedom is very expensive and we should act like it is. I know some don’t see it that way and I guess I can accept that. I’ll tell you what my opinion of those who do not respect our flag or country. I call it treason. That is harsh I know. But the flame of this country is the idea of freedom and a republic. That idea has lit the world for more than 2 centuries. Treason against this country and what it represents is not just a crime against us the living. Lincoln said that the ground of this country holds the graves of those who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” This is not just a crime against us the living, but a crime against the laws of nature!
I was twelve inches away from the trajectory of a 7.62 X 39 bullet that could have just as easily killed me rather than my friend. He gave what was called the last full measure of devotion.
On this day that we call Patriot Day let us remember how we got these freedoms. Let’s remember how many last full measures of devotion were given in those twin towers. How many have fought for freedom and did not get to enjoy that freedom very long. The legacy that they left us was one that we should appreciate. Those innocent men, women, and children whose lives were taken only because of hate. I don’t know what we’ve done as a people or a country to breed such hate. I don’t know why a religion would target anyone! But I guess it has happened even under the name of Christianity. Terrorism is a 100% failure. Not only do terrorists always fail at what they're after, they pretty much always succeed in strengthening whatever it is they're against. They are never frustrated with their failure rate. Someone once asked, “Well, what do you call a society that has to just live everyday with the idea that the pizza place you're eating in can just blow up without any warning?” My answer to that is “Israel”. This is what they live with every day. The blessing of the U.S. is that we seldom feel like Israel. Sometimes I think we should act like Israel and be more security minded.
Let us remember those of 9-11, of wars, law enforcement, 1st responders, and so many others who have given this country their “last full measure of devotion.”
P.S.
A few days ago former President Obama gave a speech. I thought the fact that he was out of office meant we didn’t have to listen to another speech from him, but obviously I’m wrong. And so my ears are bleeding again.
He said this about Congress concerning Benghazi:
“Congress…Embraced wild conspiracy theories, like those surrounding Benghazi.”
There were many investigations of Benghazi. As usual they were a sham. I know personally how this works. There was an investigation of the Iran-Contra affair by the Tower commission, like Benghazi investigations, came up with a solution that was far from truth. Within that particular investigation aid to the Contras was stopped by Congress. That is a lie. I was at a small American Army made landing strip in Panama well after the aid was supposed to be stopped, and it was not. So, as a powerless ex-President who believes investigations ran by Congress or any other government entity would reveal truth, I know that they do not. Because of those impotent investigations the U.S. military was at a base in Panama and lost 4 good men to an attack. We should not have been there, just as help should have been given to the brave souls who did not survive in Benghazi. And our ex-President, who needs to just shut his pie-hole, thinks there was nothing he or his staff did wrong. He has his right to free speech, but should he have used that speech to bash his successor? A better person would have not. And then to bring up a sore spot on his “scandal-less” administration, shows me he is still the classless idiot he was while in office. If you want to know what happened at Benghazi, ask someone who was there. Not someone who supposedly is investigating it. Kris Paronto was there. He says these investigations are wrong, but we should believe those politicians over an honorable veteran. The politicians won. The President and the Secretary of State still have lives and incomes. Clinton even ran for President. Had they been honorable, they would have taken responsibility. Good men died because of their politics. And then the ex-President has the gall to talk about “conspiracy theories” surrounding the debacle. What a horse’s patoot. No wonder Kris Paronto said he wanted to choke the ex-President. I have the same feeling.
Remembering 9-11 is important because of the attacks on our country. But also remember 9-11-2012 where we lost more good people to terrorists. Remember regardless of nasty politicians who are only about themselves and their politics. Please excuse the rant.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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