In memory of those lost on September 11, 2001, in honor of those who worked so diligently in the cleanup and relief effort, and in salute to those tasked with protecting our freedom from so craven an enemy, let us reflect on how that day changed all of our lives and what it means to be an American.

View The Damage

Monday, September 10, 2001
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
On Monday we emailed jokes. On Tuesday we did not.
On Monday we thought that we were secure. On Tuesday we learned better.
On Monday we were talking about heroes as being athletes. On Tuesday we re-learned who our true heroes are.
On Monday we were irritated that our tax rebate checks had not arrived. On Tuesday we gave that money away to people we had never met.
On Monday there were people fighting against prayer in schools. On Tuesday you would have been hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying.
On Monday people argued with their kids about cleaning up their room. On Tuesday the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their kids.
On Monday people were upset that they had to wait 6 minutes in a supermarket line. On Tuesday people didn't care about waiting up to 6 hours to give blood for the dying.
On Monday we waved our flags signifying our cultural diversity. On Tuesday we waved only the American flag.
On Monday there were people trying to separate each other by race, sex, color and creed. On Tuesday they were all holding hands.
On Monday we were men or women, black or white, old or young, rich or poor, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian. On Tuesday we were Americans.
On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses. On Tuesday, grief stricken, they sang 'God Bless America'.
On Monday the President was going to Florida to read to children. On Tuesday he returned to Washington to protect our children.
On Monday we had families. On Tuesday we had orphans.
On Monday people went to work as usual. On Tuesday they died.
On Monday people were fighting the 10 commandments on government property. On Tuesday the same people all said 'God help us all' while thinking 'Thou shall not kill'.
On Monday we had partisan bickering between splintered factions of Democrats and Republicans. On Tuesday we had The Government of the United States of America.
On Monday I cried for myself. On Tuesday I cried for the world.
On Monday we had forgotten how sadly ironic it is that it takes horrific events to place things into perspective. On Tuesday we vow that it is a lesson we shall never again forget.

My Own Lament For The Day

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