Sixteen Years Ago

Just like every year on this day, I'm sitting in remembrance of the day when the towers fell, the Pentagon was attacked, and a group of brave souls prevented a fourth strike on an unknown target.

I watch old news footage, and remember where I was when I first heard of the attacks. I sit in silent prayer and contemplation of everything this day means (or should mean) to American citizens. And I wonder...

Why haven't we learned our lesson?

Yes, we've tightened our security measures, and made flying more inconvenient. But, we really haven't gotten any safer, or learned anything about being Americans, or human beings.

After the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, we all came together. Every one of us. There were no white people or black people, no Republicans or Democrats, no Liberals or Conservatives. We were all Americans, united in our grief and moral outrage over these cowardly, unGodly attacks.

Suddenly, it didn't matter if you voted for or against George W. Bush, or whether you agreed with his policies or not. All that mattered, was our nation, and finding the people responsible. We were United and strong, the way a truly great nation should be.

Of course, it didn't take long for the idiots (calling themselves 9/11 truthers) to start coming out of the woodwork, spreading division and wild and bogus conspiracy theories about how steel doesn't melt. But, in the beginning, we were all on the same page.

No one was arguing over which bathroom we should be using, or whining that they need a "safe space" because they might be traumatized over someone else's differing opinion. No one was worried that we may hurt the terrorists' feelings, by speaking the truth about their beliefs and actions.

If we are going to survive as a nation, we need to stop allowing others to divide us, and stop focusing on what makes us different from each other. We need to remember that we're all one people (regardless of skin color, gender or political affiliation), and that our country must come first.

I know, there are a lot of people out there, who think we need to be "global citizens" first and foremost. But, the truth is, we need to protect our own interest, just as every other country is protecting theirs. No one else in the world will defend your rights as an American citizen, if you're unable, or unwilling to. And, once they're gone, it will be nearly impossible to get them back.

So, on September 11th, we should always remember that freedom isn't free, and there are always people out there, who would love to take yours from you.