The Too-Often Unsung Heroes
Jean Sexton writes:
On this, the tenth anniversary of the attack on the United States by terrorists, I'd like to reflect not on the losses of that day. All of us who were alive on that day remember those and the accompanying images. Instead, I would like to focus on the people who are perhaps the under-recognized heroes of the day.
We know of the heroic role of the firemen and police there in New York City. We know about the results of the actions of the passengers on Flight 93.
Do we remember the firefighters from Arlington County, Fort Myer, and Reagan National Airport who responded to the attack at the Pentagon? Do we think of the soldiers who were on the survey team from Fort Belvoir who were tasked with checking the interior of the building, knowing the horrors they would find?
Do we think of the medical personnel who responded to their workplaces waiting for an influx of patients who never arrived?
Do we remember the members of our military who scrambled to defend our country from any further attacks?
Do we think of the "ordinary" Americans who responded by donating blood, by keeping classrooms calm in the face of disaster, by volunteering to help in any way, who joined or re-joined the military so their skills could be used to defend this country?
Do we remember the families who now carry on quietly and with dignity, dealing with the loss of loved ones?
Sometimes I think we forget that one of the defining qualities of being American is that we pull together in the face of adversity whether it be terrorists' acts or natural disasters. We open our hearts; we open our doors; we volunteer; we give. That is who we are as a people.
So let us commemorate this anniversary in a meaningful way by remembering who we are and acting on it. Remember those who died, but also remember those who gave quietly behind the scenes.
On this, the tenth anniversary of the attack on the United States by terrorists, I'd like to reflect not on the losses of that day. All of us who were alive on that day remember those and the accompanying images. Instead, I would like to focus on the people who are perhaps the under-recognized heroes of the day.
We know of the heroic role of the firemen and police there in New York City. We know about the results of the actions of the passengers on Flight 93.
Do we remember the firefighters from Arlington County, Fort Myer, and Reagan National Airport who responded to the attack at the Pentagon? Do we think of the soldiers who were on the survey team from Fort Belvoir who were tasked with checking the interior of the building, knowing the horrors they would find?
Do we think of the medical personnel who responded to their workplaces waiting for an influx of patients who never arrived?
Do we remember the members of our military who scrambled to defend our country from any further attacks?
Do we think of the "ordinary" Americans who responded by donating blood, by keeping classrooms calm in the face of disaster, by volunteering to help in any way, who joined or re-joined the military so their skills could be used to defend this country?
Do we remember the families who now carry on quietly and with dignity, dealing with the loss of loved ones?
Sometimes I think we forget that one of the defining qualities of being American is that we pull together in the face of adversity whether it be terrorists' acts or natural disasters. We open our hearts; we open our doors; we volunteer; we give. That is who we are as a people.
So let us commemorate this anniversary in a meaningful way by remembering who we are and acting on it. Remember those who died, but also remember those who gave quietly behind the scenes.
posted by Federation Commander at 8:46 AM
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