9 / 11/ 23
We should never take for granted the fragility of our Freedom. In my memoir, I wrote, “My Silent Freedom is all I have.”
We will never forget the events of 9/11 or the people who we lost, the people who survived, and the first responders who risked their lives in the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. We will never forget the evil savageness that rocked our country to its core and brought a nation together in support of our Freedom. Have any of you forgotten that feeling? The divisiveness that pulls at the seams of our country in the face of adversity and human difference is not the same country that I fought for which UNITED in the face of evil after 9/11. We are One. We are One in Freedom, let us act accordingly. We have the luxury of difference of opinion because of our Freedom, it’s the one thing that still holds us together.
PATRIOT DAY, 9/11
HOW CAN WE FORGET?
Should we stop talking about 9/11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? These are hot topics that I’ve heard some people discussing lately. It was a statement, not a question: “It’s time to forget the memories of 9/11.
But how? It was 9/11 that drove us to the dangerous skirts of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan to seek justice for Americans, and to free the oppressed from tyrannical leaders. It was a test of faith. It was a test of what we believe in, Democracy, Freedom, Liberty. It was difficult seeing our loved ones as victims of selfish motives. It was difficult to watch and do nothing. After 9/11, we stand still and pause every year as we remember the scene of the terrorist attacks that left approximately 3,000 people dead in the city of New York; Pentagon, Washington, DC; and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. How can we forget heroes who sacrificed their lives so we can be free? Our military, firefighters, parents, teachers, children, our very own people who helped others during the critical times of 9/11. It is the least we can do for them, to pause and remember them on this day.
The 9/11 attack was also a test of our resources. We lost a lot of lives during the wars that followed. I know. I lost some colleagues during those wars. Wars are unpredictable. You see your fellow warriors today, and some of them are gone the following day. It’s horrible. We fought side by side and it was hard to accept that your colleague was gone the next day.
The financial cost of war continues today as we care for those who fought. According to military.com (2003), “The dollar amount from Costs of War includes $862 billion in overseas contingency funds – budgeted by Congress to fund the Global War on Terror after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington – as well as $406 billion added to the Pentagon’s base budget between 2003 and 2023.” There are additional costs to be at war, including our troops’ medical and disability care. But these are the sacrifices we make to protect our liberty and in seeking for justice.
In one of my interviews, a podcaster asked me, “You believe in God. But you also fought in the Iraq war. Isn’t that a conflict of your faith?” I was not prepared for the question. But to answer the question, I would like to quote Deuteronomy 7:2, “When the Lord your God delivers [the Canaanites] over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.” I did not find conflict with my belief and fighting the enemy during the Iraq war. I fought in Iraq because of my faith, my Silent Freedom, not in opposition of it.
We deeply felt the devastating impact of the 9/11 attacks. Most people agree the country had changed in a major way after 9/11. We have become more conscious and cautious of our environment. “If you see something, say something.” It reminds me about not picking up anything from the ground in Iraq. Leave it alone, and not drive over any empty can or something of that sort on the road. We forgive, but we will never forget. To me, it’s a quote that’s rightly said.
From the Silent Freedom Team, may we all be safe from harm and stay healthy everyone!
My Silent Freedom to serve my adopted country and protect the people took me to the war zone in 2003 when I deployed with the 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault. I am proud of my service, and of this great country. As you reflect on this most somber of days in our nation’s history be grateful for your country, for those who protect it, and for our Freedom.
