NationRight

Today marks seven years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  I thought that I would share my thoughts about this historic event today.

For me, 9/11 changed everything.  It changed the way I look at the world.  It changed my priorities.  It changed the filter through which I look at world events.  It was, and still is, the most significant historical event in my lifetime.  It has set off a chain of events in the nation and the world that still resonate in today’s election season and should for the rest of our country’s existence.

First of all, although I was fortunate enough not to know anyone who was killed in the attacks, my heart goes out to all of the victim’s families.  The childless parents, the newly-single parents, the parentless children, and others are in my thoughts every day.  In my sheltered mind, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering that this has wrought in their lives.  To the policemen, firemen, and other civil servants, you have my utmost admiration for your service in helping your fellow man.  To the soldiers and their families who fight to make sure this never happens again, you have my utmost gratitude.  I may not know very many of the soldiers, firemen, policemen, victims, or their families, but they are my fellow Americans, and I love them.

In two days, I will have been a father for 10 years.  Never in that 10 years have I questioned the decision to have and raise children except for that day.  My wife and I were preparing to go to the beach that morning with our then (two days shy of) 3-year old son and our 48-day old daughter.  I remember holding my beautiful daughter in my arms, looking at her innocent face, and apologizing to her for bringing her into this mess… into this world where evil is so pervasive, where people will hate her just for being an American and a Christian, where she is not even safe in public buildings or government offices or even empty fields in Pennsylvania.  My son was just old enough to ask questions; why did they do that Daddy? why do they hate us? what are we going to do about it?  Daddy, I am scared…  On that day, I was forever changed.

I have been back to New York twice since 9/11.  I took my son, then 8, to Ground Zero and showed him what they did, tried to explain why they did it, and told him that the good men and women of the United States Military were risking their lives every day to make sure it didn’t happen again.  We held hands while we read the tributes written in crayon to the lost fathers from their sons, and we wept together.  I held him tighter than I have ever held him as we looked at the makeshift memorials and talked about what happened that day.  We wiped each others tears as we sat in silence staring at the remains of the World Trade Center, imagining the pain and suffering that took place that day.  I told him I loved him and I would protect him.  I told him that, ultimately, we would prevail and that God would punish those who did this.  I think he understands somewhat, but he probably won’t understand fully until he has a 3-year old son or a 48-day old daughter to protect.

So, now 7 years later, I look back on the worst day of my life, and I am still forever changed.  Historians may try to write off this day as something less than what it was, but I will not allow my children to miss the importance of it.  History will shine badly on President Bush, but he has my utmost respect and undying gratitude because he did what was necessary in the wake of this horrible day to protect me and my family from evil.  For this reason, I am one of those 30% who have a favorable opinion of President Bush to this day.  My family is safer because he has been our President.  In a few weeks, it will be time to vote for a new President.  When I walk into that booth with my wife and two kids, 10 and 7 on that day, we will be voting for John S. McCain for President, largely because he understands what happened that day, he understands the price of the freedom that we enjoy, and he will do whatever it takes to make sure that I and my family are safe.

I will not vote for a man who befriends people who blame me and my country for what happened on 9/11.  I will not vote for a man whose wife is only proud to be an American because her husband won a Presidential Primary.  I will not vote for a man who does not recognize the importance of this day in my life and the life of my fellow Americans.

Thanks for letting me vent.  God Bless America.