On this solemn day seven years after the most horrific attacks to ever befall our country, we start to see some degree of change in people's attitudes towards our national security. Putting politics aside, we have to remember that this isn't a liberal or conservative issue, but rather an American issue.
We have all discussed this topic; at home, at work, at social gatherings, and many other places. For a very brief moment following the attacks, we came together as a nation, putting our bickering and differences aside, and began to develop our strategies to protect our homeland. Now, seven years later, we are fortunate, or some say lucky, not to have suffered a repetitive fate. Some songs even proclaimed that we shouldn't take those images off our TV. We need to remember, we need to reflect, but more importantly, we need to remain vigilant.
All of us react to situations in very unique ways. Some put it aside and try not to dwell on the past. Others turn inside themselves, while others turn their grief and sorrow into actions. While there is no single "right way" to react, we need to ensure that our actions will never go counter to future security.
Over the past few years, we have heard bickering between the groups that are designing the various memorials, as well as those that are responsible for rebuilding the area where the towers stood. What we should keep in mind is that is to be expected, and actually a very healthy sign.
There is nothing wrong with disagreeing about these issues. It should also remind us that this is what is so great about America - that we can have strong, passionate disagreements, but we don't turn to violence as our enemies have done, and continue to do.
Let us not forget that the security of our great country should be the most important topic on the table. We might, and probably should disagree on some of the specifics, and a few of the details, but we can't ignore the very real issue that our lives changed that day when those cowards took something from all of us, our sense of safety and security. Our lives are different now. We have all heard that many times over the past seven years.
There are images and signs all around us that say We Remember, or Never Forget. These aren't slogans, they are proclamations. We need to remember, and we should never forget. Not just for those that were lost that day or in the time following as a result, but also for the reasons we are reflecting on that day seven years past. We have to remember the reasons that we are now fighting in distant lands, against an enemy unlike anything we have ever encountered in our nation's history. We must not allow politics and partisanship to interfere with our mission. We need to succeed, we must succeed, we will succeed.
God Bless the United States of America