Today is our annual day of mourning for the murder of more than 3,000 Americans on September 11th, 2001. Most consider today a “day of remembrance”, but for me it stirs resentment.
Our biggest memorial to those lost on that September morning is an unfinished war in Afghanistan, a huge bureaucratic expansion of inept Government, and too many of our best and brightest killed or wounded in combat without clear goals.
I remember September 11th when I see frail elderly women “asked” to climb out of their wheelchairs and walk through body scanners at the airport, because those crippled old women could be dangerous terrorists.
I remember September 11th when I see a love note from Transportation Security Administration in my luggage, reassuring me that they’ve rummaged through my underwear for “prohibited items” and found nothing of interest.
I remember September 11th when the news media covers “important” issues – demands to see Mitt Romney’s tax returns, what’s happening on Jersey Shore, and how President Obama’s “jobless economic recovery” has saved the United States.
I remember September 11th when I see the men and women of the National Guard Association of the United States holding a conference in the same hotel as the 7th annual Gun Blogger Rendezvous.
I remember September 11th when attending the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, which was held to raise money for Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT.
I remember September 11th when I see the young men and women at the hotel for the Tailhook Association reunion (an association for aircraft carrier and sea-based aircrews).
I remember September 11th when Mz. VRWC remarks that those young men and women look like they’re barely out of high school.
I remember September 11th when I remind her that those same young professionals are trusted to fly heavily armed, multimillion dollar aircraft, while making life and death decisions as part of their daily job. Unfortunately, they don’t have the right carry a concealed weapon on most college campuses, because they can’t be trusted to “use the best judgment”.
I remember September 11th when I remember how we went to war to drive the Taliban out of Afghanistan.
I remember September 11th when I wonder how and when the war in Afghanistan will end.
I remember September 11th when 11 years later, we’re negotiating to give Afghanistan back to the Taliban.
I remember September 11th when I see the faces of those who have given everything while delivering our response to the terrorism of that September morning.
Yes, I remember that day and I mourn the loss and the pain of those directly affected by that act of terrorism. I also remember the people lost during our response to a barbaric attack directed at civilian U.S. citizens. I won’t forget that day, nor the losses we’ve had since, but I can’t help remembering my bitter resentment too.
