Thoughts on Sept. 11: United we stand, divided...

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Do you recall where you were on the morning of September 11, 2001? Perhaps a better question, for some, is this: Do you even care?

Two or three generations ago, as each November rolled around, Americans often reflected on where they were when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Or when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Or when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated.

Three or four generations ago, as each Dec. 7 approached, Americans thought of Pearl Harbor. My good friend the late Clyde William "Wild Bill" Pidcock used to put Pearl Harbor Day – and WW II – into a perspective that ought to be required reading in every school in America. As a U.S. Navy veteran Clyde lived through it – and was a witness to the atrocities of wartime acts of torture committed against America’s sons.

Clyde was born in 1918 and died at the age of 95 on Aug. 13, 2014. He was a great American. He and I often talked about Pearl Harbor and the aforementioned political assassinations – and September 11, 2001.

Almost 3,000 Americans were killed 25 years ago in terrorists' attacks against the United States. This week, many of us are all too content to carry on as if nothing happened. 

After the first anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the national liberal media made a concerted effort to “downplay” the anniversary going forward.

That’s unfortunate. Because we ought to remember the date Sept. 11, 2001 for the rest of our lives. In fact, we’d better remember. 

The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists' attacks – which had been in the works for more than a year – claimed approximately 3,000 American lives. By comparison, the Japanese attacks at Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 Americans. Unlike Dec. 7, 1941, however, the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 were not part of any wartime campaign against a potential military foe. This was an unprecedented act of violence against innocent, unarmed, defenseless civilians.

In a 2002 column on the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, I wrote:

Much has happened since those terrible attacks. And much of what has since transpired has been good.

Consider:

• Since Sept. 11, Americans have contributed in record numbers to the Red Cross and other relief efforts. Americans have given blood. We have given money. We have extended our prayers.

• There is a newfound pride among all Americans. Communities in all 50 states held prayer services. Governors across the United States have pledged their states’ resources to assist in any way possible. Flags fly constantly. The American spirit has been rekindled.

• The usually partisan Congress demonstrated its unity in support of the president. The Senate voted 98-0 to pass a resolution authorizing President Bush to use “all necessary and appropriate force” against those responsible for planning, executing or aiding the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

• In the House of Representatives, Congress voted “to authorize the use of U.S. Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.” It passed by a 420-1 vote. (California Democrat Barbara Lee was the lone “no” vote.)

Please, take a moment and think about this.

United States senators voted unanimously to authorize “all necessary and appropriate force” against those responsible for planning, executing or aiding the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. And the House of Representatives voted 420-1 to do the same.

I can’t help but wonder how those votes would add up today, in this adversarial and very partisan political climate.

Twenty-five years ago, we had special prayer observances and church services devoted to those fallen Americans on Sept. 11.

In Adams County, where I was working on Sept. 11, 2001, more than 100 of us joined hands in prayer outside the Adams County Courthouse in tribute to the victims and the families of our fallen brothers and sisters.

The late Dr. Walter Knauff of West Union, citing the famous “Footprints in the Sand” poem, said: “God is with us here today. He has picked us up. If we stay with God, we can make it.”

We call on God’s strength and wisdom and compassion now more than ever. America is great because of America’s faith in God and her courage to be right and just. Sometimes we forget this, and it often takes a tragic event to remind us how blessed we are to live in the greatest country in the world.

Many Americans love to talk of our independence. That feeling of independence is one of our great virtues. We are – or once were – an independent people – but united in defense of that independence. Now is the time for that feeling of unity to be rekindled. Is it too much to pause for a moment of reflection on the 25-year anniversary of one of the most devastating attacks against our blessed nation?  

We have an obligation to support our country – as one nation under God. Just as the Alvin Yorks and Audie Murphys and Paul Tibbetses demonstrated their patriotism and heroism in previous generations, many of today’s military families continue to rise to the challenge.

"We are strong. We are resilient. We are the United States of America. We are proud Americans," wrote New York State Sen. Pamela Helming. "To all of you who serve, please know you have my unwavering support and gratitude. I will never forget your sacrifice, your bravery, your commitment to serve others. Indeed, that is life’s highest calling. To be a proud American is to never forget. I am proud to be an American."

Indeed.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.