We Must Never Forget

Nearly 10 years ago our country went to bed on night in September as it had every night before. Some people worried about pressing deadlines at their jobs. Some kids worried about upcoming tests in schools. Schedules to keep, things to do, people to meet, vacations or weddings to plan. Good thoughts, issues, or future plans swirled around in many minds as America drifted off to sleep. Nearly 3,000 never realized that it would be for the last time For everyone else life would never be the same. Fear would become a part of our life every day. Worries about our jobs were replaced by worries for our lives. Students’ worries about tests were replaced with worries about their parents coming home. Plans were scrapped, vacations cancelled and for the first time fear became a part of our every day life. Terrorism was never really a major concern for Americans. It was always somebody else’s problem. It appeared September 11th 2001 had changed everything. Nine years later, and for many, things are back to normal and many people are sleeping easier once again. Airlines seem more concerned with charging for extra bags then they are about security. Vacation plans are determined by gas prices and the state of the economy not fear of terrorists. Elected officials are telling 9/11 families that they need to move on. Some teachers are even being told not to mention 9/11 in their classrooms. Homeland Security appears to have been relegated to the back seat. While we defend the people in Afghanistan and Iraq against terrorists we seem to have forgotten security here at home. Forgotten that this year is the 10th Anniversary of the murder of 2,975 at the hands of terrorists Forgotten that hundreds have died and continue to die as a result of the attacks Forgotten that the terrorists are very patient and that they will lay in wait. Wait for us to get complacent and lower our guard. Wait for us to stop worrying. Wait for us to forget how we felt on September 11th 2001. And then they will strike again. The best way to honor our lost loved ones is to assure that this does not happen. We must not drop our guard. We must remember that the threat still exists and that it is real. We must “Never Forget”