I’m sure we can all remember where we were 8 years ago. We all have our personal stories, we were all glued to our TVs for days. I wasn’t alive during Pearl Harbor or the assignation of JFK or Vietnam. For me, this was a day I can always look to as a turning point in my life. Like many of you, I was on my way to work, when I turned my car on to Howard Stern. I can clearly remember him saying, “Another plane just hit the World Trade Center!” Since it was Howard, I didn’t know if it was a skit or real. So, I immediately went inside and turned the TV on. My stomach hit the floor.
I went to work, yet I felt a sense of duty/pride. I left early and went to the American Red Cross. I had my trusty portable radio. As I waited for hours in line to give blood, I felt a great sense of pride at the number of people who were moved to donate, as I had. While waiting, people gathered around my little radio to hear the events of the hour. I can remember people crying and trembling, even-though New York & Virginia were 3,000 miles away.
Although I didn’t know anyone who was directly impacted by the tragic events of Sept. 11, I can say without a doubt that I was impacted. I can remember gathering around the TV set and watching the “Tribute to Heroes” telethon. I can remember Julia Roberts almost breaking down in tears. I can remember going to Dodger Stadium on Sept 21 and for the first time not caring about the game. I can remember a sense of nausea setting in my stomach for weeks. The thought of war, the thought of never re-gaining our sense of security.
We lost a lot on that day, but as history proves to us all, we are not an invincible nation. Every great super-power has crumbled. We can never forget that our great nation was formed to be a nation of great diversity and with a greater sense of mankind. These are the principles that make our nation great, these are the principles that have helped this great country heal! On this day, take a moment to thank those people who mean so much to us, because tomorrow is never promised. Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. I am not trying to get all political or philosophical, but I wanted to share a poem from the great Langston Hughes, entitled, “My People.”
The Night is beautiful.
So the faces of my people.
The stars are beautiful.
So the eyes of my people.
Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.
Damn. Well put, Mailo. I, too, remember being glued to my TV. We didn’t do shit at school for days but watch TV. No doubt it shook us “invincible” Americans. Nothing’s promised. It ain’t no Langston Hughes but I love what John McCrea said: “As soon as you’re born you start dyin’, so you might as well have a good time!”
Shit, tomorrow ISN’T promised! Be grateful for what you have!