Thoughts on Being an American, Post 9/11

In the days after 9/11 I sat down and wrote about my feelings. My feelings haven't changed and I decided that since I created this blog to discuss the ideals of America, it would be appropriate to post these thoughts. So allow me a moment go back and think about being an American just after 9/11.

Tell your friends everywhere that no matter what happens here in America every American should raise a flag, as I am, and remember, the Eagle is America's national bird because it's the one bird which is not afraid to fly during a storm. We're Americans and will fly through this storm. We will weather this storm and remain strong, no matter what some fanatic does to try to break our spirit, provided we maintain our ideals. The ideals which make America a beacon of light for the world.

I will be stronger because I will be vigilant. No longer will I be lazy and no longer will I believe I am invulnerable. Believe me when I say, that not only will America survive, but it will prosper. Why? Because of something terrorists will never understand. America isn't about a building or two, not about financial centers, not about military centers, America isn't about a place, America isn't even about a bunch of bodies. America is about an IDEAL and an idea. An idea, that you can go someplace where you can earn as much as you can figure out how to, live for the most part, like you envision living, and pursue Happiness. We offer no guarantees that you'll reach it, but we offer everyone the opportunity to try. This is what separates us from the rest of the world.

Let the terrorist whine, and chant his terrorist litany: "If you can not see my point, then feel my pain." This concept is asinine to Americans. We live in America, where we don't have to see your point, but believe you're free to have one. We don't have to listen to your speech, but we'll defend you're right to speak publicly. I don't understand where these people got the strange idea that everyone has to agree with their beliefs. Hell, we don't agree with each other in this country, almost as a matter of pride. We're a collection of different thinking people who don't agree and revel in it. We united around an idea, an idea we made up on the spot. You CAN make it up as you go, when it's your country and you not only have the right to express you ideas and opinions, but people will listen to it. We don't have to agree, and that is a right we are given, but as free citizens of this country, we will listen with respect.

Yeah, we're fat, sloppy, easy-going goofs most of the time. That's an unfortunate image to project to the world, but it comes of feeling free, secure and open in our world. It's unfortunate too, because outsiders forget that when you attack Americans, we tend to fight back like a big brown bear. Hard, Fast and ruthlessly!!

So Mr. terrorist, sorry, but you’re not the first bully on our shores, just the most recent. No Marquis of Queensbury rules for Americans, either. We were the FIRST and so far, only country in the world to use nuclear weapons in anger. Horrific idea nowadays? News for the terrorists, it was back then too, and we used it anyway. Only had two of them in the whole world and we used 'em both, because we had a War to win. Does that tell you something about American Resolve? Don't cross an American. We can fight tooth and nail amongst ourselves, but don't come from the outside and mess with us. We will put you down.

So who just declared War on us? It would be nice to point to some real estate, like the good old days. Unfortunately, we're probably at war with random camps, in far-flung places. Who think they're safe. Just like the Barberry Pirates did. They were wrong. So are the terrorists. They better start sleeping with one eye open.

There's a spirit on this country. I will take over people who come to this country, looking for opportunity, looking for liberty, looking for freedom. Even if they misuse it. As for the terrorists, they're only the newest problem, not the first.These Terrorists seem incapable of understanding that we don't live in America, America lives in US!

American Spirit is what it's called. And killing a few thousand of us, even a few million of us, won't change it. Most of the time, it's a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of Spirit. But when we're crossed in a cowardly manner, then it becomes an entirely different and vengeful Spirit. God help the Terrorists when they meet him, because they will soon.

I am an American, both in action and in spirit. It may be hard for most outside America to understand, but it is an ingrained part of my life, my psyche and my belief system. I mourn those who lost their lives to the insanity of September 11th, but as an American, I have the responsibility to live free and continue to celebrate the fact that we as Americans cannot be beaten on our shores. Justice may not be as swift as in past history, but it will be just as lethal.

FLY THE FLAG OF YOUR COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!!!

MEMORIES OF 9/11 AND THE PENTAGON

As a young child, during the early years of my father’s career in the US Army, We lived South Post, Fort Myer. I used the Pentagon as a playground, the Army Chief of Staffs office as a place to have lunch with Dad.

I would run from our billet past the post swimming pool, through the tunnel under the highway, up to the west lawn of the building. I would always stop and gaze at the helicopters on the recently constructed heliport. Then I’d hurry so my Dad wouldn’t have to wait for the lunch I carried.

I remember running the halls to his office beside the chiefs. I don’t recall which level or ring, but I always knew when I was in the right area because of the portraits on the walls. These were a history of the men who commanded the US Army. Some stood with sabers at their sides. General MacArthur is a particular recollection, staring off into the distance. Each one a man of bearing, proud and strong: stars and ribbons on their chests, gold braids on their caps. Each has a stern look and serious gaze, none smile. As a child, I was always proud of those men and of my Dad’s work.

Seven years ago this morning, I lived in Rosslyn Virginia. I began my day by trying to make my morning calls but the network was overloaded. A short time later my close friend and Attorney got a call through and told me to turn on the TV, that a plane had hit the WTC. Just after I turned on the set they flashed a report that another plane had hit the Pentagon. When I heard the report about the plane crashing into the Pentagon I knew I had to do something. I didn’t know what I could do, but I had to help. I ended the call and hopped on my bicycle for the 2 mile ride to the Pentagon. I rode past the Iwo Jima monument and Netherlands Carillon, alongside the tombs of the navy and marine vets, past the tombs of the Vietnam casualties, interred in ground where I used to live and play those many years ago.

I rode over the tunnel I used to run through and reached a scene of mass devastation. I knew a plane had crashed there, but I didn’t notice it. All I saw was smoke and fire. I immediately began to help in any way I could. I didn’t try to enter the building, it just never occurred to me to do so. I consoled and offered aid to fellow citizens as they fled the burning building. I watched and helped as the injured and burned were laid out for triage in the south parking lot. The memory of those faces and burned bodies are etched in my heart and mind forever. Hours later, I returned to my bike and sat on the ground with my head in my hands, too weary and heartsick to face the trip home.

Two days later, I rode the same path with my nephew, again on bicycles and watched side by side with many other shocked and numb people as a huge flag was flown over the side of pentagon building.

This morning, seven years later, I returned to the west side of the Pentagon. As I watched the same huge flag fly over the side of the building I cried openly and without shame. I cried for the loss of life, not only here in the US, but also in Afghanistan and Iraq. A number much greater than those lost on that September morning.

I listened to President Bush’s the words of dedication and watched as our honor guard uncovered the individual memorial benches. Tears continued to run down my cheeks. I cried because the memories of some of these people, whose names I didn’t know and whose faces I could never place with a name on a bench, overwhelmed me.

I also cried because I realized that the Pentagon, once the largest building in the world, my childhood playground and a major thread throughout my life, was a symbol of war and human destruction. Yet, one of the strongest emotions I felt this morning was a sense of pride at the appropriateness of our American flag flying across the face of the Pentagon.

I am mortified by these revelations and am having a hard time coming to terms with the dichotomy of thoughts and feelings. I am suffering a loss of innocence I didn't realize I retained.I don't know where these feelings and emotions will take me. It will take quite a while to sort through them. They are as profound as the feelings I felt on the morning of 9/11/2001.

I celebrated our entry into Afghanistan, but I did not support the invasion of Iraq. I believe deeply in the ideals of the United States and will continue to do so throughout my life. I will proudly continue do what little is in my power to help preserve and protect her ideals. Some call me naïve. Some sarcastically call me an idealist.

I still do believe in the American dream. So yes, I guess I am an idealist, an American idealist. I carry a little card, offered as a gift many years ago, which states "Believe in the magic of your dreams". The dream of America lives on in my heart. I consider it a badge of honor. I just hope I am able to maintain this sense of idealism throughout the balance of my life.

Today, as I write these words, after a lifetime in which I’ve experienced Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan and the 2 Iraq incursions, as well as the Iranian hostage crisis, the bombing of our African embassies, The Palestinian military building and the USS Cole: I think back to those portraits on the walls of the Pentagon and I wonder. I wonder if those men and their bosses, our Presidents, current and past, led our nation on the right path. I wonder if Hiroshima and Nagasaki might have rippled through time in a way that these many years later will achieve their ultimate destruction. Not through an actual explosion, but through the fear of one and the perception that we must protect ourselves from it. I wonder if the idea of a military safety net has overflowed it banks to become the societal safety net of bloated government. I sit here and wonder about a building of immense proportion, my childhood playground, which is dedicated to war. I wonder.