Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was originally intended to honor those who gave their lives for our country during the Civil War. After World War I, the meaning was expanded to include remembrance of all who died in any war or military action. For me, this also includes the 3,000 civilians who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This was as blatant a military action as any in history, no less significant and even more far-reaching than Pearl Harbor.
Let me suggest that, as we commemorate this very special day in America, we also remember the living; the brave men and women who, even as you read, make death a daily bedfellow to protect our precious freedom and keep us from harm. This week, these intrepid souls finally got funding approval so they could receive the vital equipment and supplies they need to do their job.
May I remind you that it’s the sacrifice of these incredible people, and the millions who came before them, that permits John Edwards [aka The Breck Girl] to make stupid statements like, “There is no war on terror. It’s just a bumper sticker slogan” or Dirty Harry Reid to declare to the world that “The war is lost”. Their dedication not only guarantees these fools the right to keep blathering but enables the likes of Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama to continue voting against military funding measures and to play political games with our troops very lives. The actions of those who defend, rather than undermine America, even allow much of the country to ignore the imminent terrorist danger and plod merrily on with their own self-deception.
There are people around the world that have declared they want us dead. They tell us what they intend to do and they do it. There is no guessing game. They have already murdered some of us and will carry out their threats to finish the job unless we unite in understanding the magnitude of what we face. As we embrace life, they embrace death. Those who refuse to understand this are no less dangerous than the terrorists themselves, because they will stand on the sidelines and let it happen.
We need to come to grips with the events and background of 9/11 and realize we won’t be talking our way out of this one. We have done nothing to ‘deserve’ this and, as ‘The Great Satan’ need only exist in order to inspire the vicious hatred directed at us.
Two DVD videos, that should be required viewing by every American, are a documentary from the National Geographic channel entitled “Inside 9/11″ and the movie “United 93″. “Inside 9/11″ is presented with no detectable political agenda, either right or left. It’s simply an eye-opening mosaic of what was and what is. “United 93″, while not a documentary, is an accurate reconstruction of events that will make you squirm in your seat. Both videos provide bold insight into the terrorist menace and give us an idea of what can happen if we continue as a nation remain in denial. Both are available on this web site and, probably, at your video store.
To most of us, Memorial Day means barbecues and time spent with family and friends; but let us never forget our fallen heroes and celebrate those who toil to keep terror from our doors. Let us be grateful for the gifts life has provided, most especially our freedom and our liberty, being ever aware that there are those, both foreign and domestic, who would go to any length, take any measure, to make those gifts disappear.
R.S.F.
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