Post by Tim Collins on Sept 9, 2011 6:59:34 GMT -7
9/11/01 – What I will never forget.
This Sunday we will mark the 10th year since the 9/11 attacks on our country. The Television, Internet, and Print media will be awash with stories and images from that day. I won’t be watching. I can’t.
That day is seared in my soul. Reflecting on the “events” of that day I have distilled what exactly it is I will never forget.
First, I will never forget the dastardly method of the attacks brought home to me as never before, a reminder of the depths of evil man is capable of reaching. Terrorism, the deliberate, planned policy of targeting innocents as a means of attacking one’s “enemies”, is a horrendous act. There is no cause so just, no end so desirable, no future so great, that can make the deliberate slaughter of innocents an acceptable method of achieving one’s ends.
Secondly, I will never forget how the images shown around the world that day and in the following days, brought out the worst in me. My heart screamed out for revenge. I wanted to see missiles landing all across the Middle East. I wanted to see the icons of their culture in flames. I wanted to see those cheering, celebratory crowds in other Middle Eastern cities running for cover as death rained down upon them.
I now understand that “revenge is a dish best served cold.” Had we reacted as my emotions demanded, we too would have joined the ranks of terrorists.
Finally, I will never forget the limitless capacity of man to reach out to others, strangers, in times of great need. The incredible courage of those who ran not from, but toward the most dangerous of ground in New Your City and the Pentagon, and those brave souls on flight 93 that stood up and said NO!. I will never forget the worldwide outpouring of financial, material, and spiritual support that drowned out the cheers of those others. I will never forget that so many stood up and said “this will not stand, nor go unanswered.” I will never forget that while some part of mankind is capable of such evil, the greater part of mankind is capable of a much more powerful and greater level of love for their fellow man.
The unforgettable testament of this love lies buried across our country. The graves of those brave people who ran to help in the immediate moments after the attack, the graves of those who fought on flight 93, the graves of those soldiers, sailors, airman and marines, who have died since that fateful day, all give testimony to our united voice saying “This will not stand...”
This Sunday we will mark the 10th year since the 9/11 attacks on our country. The Television, Internet, and Print media will be awash with stories and images from that day. I won’t be watching. I can’t.
That day is seared in my soul. Reflecting on the “events” of that day I have distilled what exactly it is I will never forget.
First, I will never forget the dastardly method of the attacks brought home to me as never before, a reminder of the depths of evil man is capable of reaching. Terrorism, the deliberate, planned policy of targeting innocents as a means of attacking one’s “enemies”, is a horrendous act. There is no cause so just, no end so desirable, no future so great, that can make the deliberate slaughter of innocents an acceptable method of achieving one’s ends.
Secondly, I will never forget how the images shown around the world that day and in the following days, brought out the worst in me. My heart screamed out for revenge. I wanted to see missiles landing all across the Middle East. I wanted to see the icons of their culture in flames. I wanted to see those cheering, celebratory crowds in other Middle Eastern cities running for cover as death rained down upon them.
I now understand that “revenge is a dish best served cold.” Had we reacted as my emotions demanded, we too would have joined the ranks of terrorists.
Finally, I will never forget the limitless capacity of man to reach out to others, strangers, in times of great need. The incredible courage of those who ran not from, but toward the most dangerous of ground in New Your City and the Pentagon, and those brave souls on flight 93 that stood up and said NO!. I will never forget the worldwide outpouring of financial, material, and spiritual support that drowned out the cheers of those others. I will never forget that so many stood up and said “this will not stand, nor go unanswered.” I will never forget that while some part of mankind is capable of such evil, the greater part of mankind is capable of a much more powerful and greater level of love for their fellow man.
The unforgettable testament of this love lies buried across our country. The graves of those brave people who ran to help in the immediate moments after the attack, the graves of those who fought on flight 93, the graves of those soldiers, sailors, airman and marines, who have died since that fateful day, all give testimony to our united voice saying “This will not stand...”