9/11 Speech

Hello Everyone




It's now the 12th, the day after the sixth anniversary of 9/11. I'm thinking to myself and wondering - how many people back home really thought about the significance of this? How many observed a moment of silence for the innocents killed at the twin towers or the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that have lost their lives? How many considered the significance of the date?

Mostly I wonder because I had to watch the following video (http://www.gunstuff.com/america-attacked.html) to be reminded of how upset, angry, devistated and alarmed I had been that day. And I'm over here, in the home, the training grounds, the recruiting arena of Al Queda and the Taliban. Last year I watched a couple of things on the telly about it, and I think it was because it was the 5th Anniv. that it was so significant. I don't really remember anything from the 4th anniv. As Americans, are we (yes, I include myself) so quick to forget. I think about how the Nation united together and everyone had a flag and/or a yellow ribbon (okay, not everyone, but most) on their door, or tree, or bumper. Now the majority of the talk is about quitting, giving up, "we've been in Iraq/Afghanistan too long." I'd sure as hell rather not be over here... But then my CO here, Commander Gerlach, gave the following speech yesterday:



Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Today, September 11, 2007 marks six years since the United States was attacked by terrorist forces and plunged into the global war on terrorism.

Throughout the world, many people will give many speeches and describe how things have changed and what has happened since September 11, 2001. I’m going to ask you to do something a little different.

On this day, I’d like you to pause to take a moment to reflect upon what HAS NOT happened in the last six years. We have not witnessed the bombing of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. We have not witnessed gas attacks during rush hour in Philadelphia. We have not witnessed the attack on Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan during Superbowl 40. We have not witnessed the poisoning of the water supply in Houston, Texas. In short, nothing has happened. America has remained safe.

This is not by accident. As the president said shortly after 9/11, our intention is to take the fight to the enemy. We learned that America must confront threats before they reach our shores. Today, nations such as Afghanistan fight to keep their nations free from the domination of zealous ideologies.

Nations such as Iraq fight to impose the rule of law and bring an end to factional fighting. Many other governments are working hard to establish basic human rights and raise the standard of living of their people. But those battles, both military and ideological are being fought in Kabul and Kandahar and Baghdad and Khartoum, not in New York or Washington or Chicago.

Remind yourself of that anytime you wonder if you are making a difference here during your tour in Afghanistan. Of course you are. But more importantly, you are making a difference in the United States as well. That difference is conspicuous by its absence. Newspapers can’t report events that don’t happen. No one writes novels about wars that were never fought. And television does not provide around-the-clock coverage of disasters that never happened.

Although six years ago today, many people would have thought it impossible, today Americans are able to go about their business and resume normal lives free from the fear of further attack. This is only possible because of you and those that have come before you to spread freedom and democracy around the world. You have taken the battle to the enemy. You have kept America safe. Thank you for serving your country with honor, courage and commitment.

It struck quite a chord with me, cuz just the day before my co-worker Ryan and I were complaining about being over here as "glorified travel agents," and "what were we really doing to make things better?" On one hand, I regret that Americans seem to return to their lives so quickly - myself too - and probably don't stop to consider the significance often enough. At the same time, as CDR Gerlach says, "today Americans are able to go about their business and resume normal lives, free from the fear of further attack. " It pleases me to know that Americans once again feel safe and secure and that the sacrifices we are making and our efforts abroad are able to provide such feelings of security. I just hope that it's not too premature and that Americans don't forget the Taliban spent years preparing their attacks.

Since 9/11/2001 there have been terrorist attacks in London, India, and Spain, attempts were thwarted in Germany, France, and the US. I for one would rather be over here taking the fight to the enemy and fighting our battles on his home turf, rather than in the cities of America and on our streets and in our homes.

Have we become too content, are we so saturated w/ "instant gratification?" This region has been at war for decades and our citizens think we've been here too long? Can we expect to change things in six years? How long will it take? I wish I knew, but I think it will take several generations for our efforts to take root. I only hope we can make enough of an impact and build a strong enough foundation and enough stability for them to move out on their own... Muslim Extremists will always exist and will always teach their beliefs, I only hope that we can build strong enough governments, security and police forces - as well as schools, hospitals, orphanages and infrastructure - that the people of these two nations will fight against the extremists if only to protect their own "new" way of life.

God Bless and take care,
Michael

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf" - George Orwell is often credited with this quote, however the true origin is unknown