9/11 Plus Five

How can it have been five years already?

It seems that just yesterday I was frozen in front of the TV, my breakfast cold and unnoticed, more angry then I can ever remember being in my life. And I don't even know anyone that perished that day.

I did, however, recognize what it meant for our country, like any good soldier. While everyone was raising a fist and screaming for vengeance, I knew what it would cost our military and their families. And I wanted revenge, anyway.

But that's what this particular post is about.

That September morning, nearly 3,000 Americans perished. Their loss can never be measured, nor will it ever be forgotten. I suppose every single one of us will eventually have to make peace with it as best we can.

I feel the loss of the first responders most. I guess it's just easier for me to identify with them, since that is my specialty, too. I know how terrified those firefighters and police officers must have been as they entered that building, knowing they were probably going to die, yet going nevertheless. They had a job to do and they did it. And saved countless hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives.

It was bad enough to have fallen victim to these horrible attacks, to find yourself, by chance or fate, stuck in one of those buildings or on one of those planes. But to look at the situation, evaluate it, recognize the peril - and then to go in anyway - is truly heroic beyond measure. The loss of those brave men and women - not only to their families, but to the city and country as a whole - cannot be overstated.

This video, posted at American and Proud of it, shows the images that I remember most vividly from that day. To be so terrified; to find yourself in such a horrible and hopeless situation that the best option you have is to jump from a window a hundred floors up, is beyond comprehension. By the way, the video is both graphic and quite disturbing.

Let us each remember in our own way the loss, the sadness, the anger and fear, the incredible bravery of that day. Let's honor them and pray for them and hope for a better tomorrow for our children.

And let's keep killing the fuckers people that did it! That means you, bandit.three.six. Godspeed!

Here's the incredible story of another American patriot, who will forever be connected with 9/11: Mudville Gazette. Every American should hear this story.

Also read these great 9/11 posts:

• The Captain’s Journal: Denial of 9/11
• Woman Honor Thyself: N.Y. MemorieS
• The 82nd Chairborne Division
• Right Truth: What we have learned since September 11
• Reformed Chicks Blabbing: 9-11 Tribute to Matthew Blake Wallens
• Amy Proctor
• AMERICAN INFIDEL: Matthew J. Grzymalski, 9/11/2001
• A Lady's Ruminations: Fly Your Flag On 9/11
• Fuzzilicious Thinking: Remembering Timothy Patrick McSweeney
• basil's blog: Articles Of Interest
• Beaker's Corner: Remembering The Day
• BLACKFIVE: A date which will live in infamy
• Stop The ACLU: Remembering 911

Comments

[kate]

A post well said, Mike.

[Kelly]

After 5 years I still feel as heartbroken and pissed off as I was on that horrible day.

[Michele]

Thanks for the link to my tribute. I watched the ABC movie with my kids last night and we cried when we saw the Towers get hit. My kids saw the image when it first happened but haven't seen it since.

We were drawn to John O'Neil who lost his life after working so hard to make sure this wouldn't happen, going back into the Towers to help with the evacuation. My daughter Samantha, cried when she saw that he was going to die. And continued crying for a while afterward.

I think it's natural to want to avenge the deaths of these poor people. It's natural to want justice for this act of terror and for all the other bombings of Americans before this.