On This Day, Sept. 11, 2006
It's been the longest and shortest of times. So much has happened and changed in five years yet the memories of that day five years ago are so fresh.
Thankfully we still have our free speech, or most of it anyway. ABC edited but didn't kill "The Path to 9/11." It was perfectly punctuated by President Bush's address to the nation. If you didn't watch him, please read his speech here. If you're one of those people who say you can't stand the man or to watch him, read the speech anyway. Then write a comment below to express your disagreement, if youy can find anything to disagree with. That's allowed in this country. Just don't try to do it in Iran or Syria. His speech wasn't political. He didn't say, "Vote for Republicans," or "Democrats are bad," or anything like that. He just spoke his mind as the leader of the greatest nation on Earth.
We owe a great deal to our brave servants in uniform. They sacrifice comfort that we may be comfortable. They sacrifice freedoms so we may be free. They lay down their lives so we may live.
In 2002 Chaos Manor blog posted an e-mail from a Navy flag officer (that means admiral to you non-military types) about activities in Afghanistan. His sentiments are so applicable today. We still face a fierce and determined enemy who literally wants to slit our throats – men, women and children. His closing paragraph to the Islamofascists who started this war is a great reminder of the spirit of our warriors. Don't stop at the short exerpt below, click the link and read the whole thing.
This war is not a question for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. They know Jihad, whether it be the suicidal bent of the terrorists or the striving in their own hearts to give their all for what they believe. The question is, do the rest of us have what it takes to win this war, whatever it takes?
Here's what I think it takes. Pretty simple, actually.
1. Pray. Pray for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Pray that they will be sustained, protected and empowered in their righteous endeavors to preserve liberty. Then listen to that still, small voice in your heart says as you pray and ponder. Ask your god, or my God, to point you to whatever you can do to help. Listen for His answers in your daily activities. He will answer.
2. Live righteously. One of the reasons the radical Islamists hate us is that we say one thing and do another. We say we're for our God but break his commandments with abandon. Our enemies won't respect us and our God won't sustain us if we aren't true to our word.
3. Do what you can to help out. Stand with our service members. They've got your back over there. You can cover their back here when your neighbors, acquaintances or even journalists snipe at them. Express your appreciation for their service and the freedoms they safeguard. Tell a soldier's family member that you appreciate their sacrifice and service. My wife's stopped being embarrased when I walk across the street or across the mall to shake the hand of a service member and thank them for what they do for me and my family. When you do, listen to that small, inner voice again. I'll tell you you're doing the right thing.
Thankfully we still have our free speech, or most of it anyway. ABC edited but didn't kill "The Path to 9/11." It was perfectly punctuated by President Bush's address to the nation. If you didn't watch him, please read his speech here. If you're one of those people who say you can't stand the man or to watch him, read the speech anyway. Then write a comment below to express your disagreement, if youy can find anything to disagree with. That's allowed in this country. Just don't try to do it in Iran or Syria. His speech wasn't political. He didn't say, "Vote for Republicans," or "Democrats are bad," or anything like that. He just spoke his mind as the leader of the greatest nation on Earth.
We owe a great deal to our brave servants in uniform. They sacrifice comfort that we may be comfortable. They sacrifice freedoms so we may be free. They lay down their lives so we may live.
In 2002 Chaos Manor blog posted an e-mail from a Navy flag officer (that means admiral to you non-military types) about activities in Afghanistan. His sentiments are so applicable today. We still face a fierce and determined enemy who literally wants to slit our throats – men, women and children. His closing paragraph to the Islamofascists who started this war is a great reminder of the spirit of our warriors. Don't stop at the short exerpt below, click the link and read the whole thing.
Think you're tough? You want to kill our families, blow up civilians? Stand by! We are sending our very best to hunt you down and take you out.
These are the guys who are coming to get you. These are the guys who will climb into the mountains and into the darkened caves halfway around the world and look you in the eye, toe to toe, with any weapon at hand (ours or yours), to take you out. These guys have trained longer, are stronger, harder, faster, tougher, and more relentless and lethal than anything you will ever produce. And we will arm them with the best money can buy, from Spectre gunships and thermobaric bombs to knives sharper than any box cutter you can sneak on a plane. They are now on your trail. They're hunting you down. How's it feel to be a terrorist now? Never bring a box cutter to a Jihad.
This war is not a question for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. They know Jihad, whether it be the suicidal bent of the terrorists or the striving in their own hearts to give their all for what they believe. The question is, do the rest of us have what it takes to win this war, whatever it takes?
Here's what I think it takes. Pretty simple, actually.
1. Pray. Pray for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Pray that they will be sustained, protected and empowered in their righteous endeavors to preserve liberty. Then listen to that still, small voice in your heart says as you pray and ponder. Ask your god, or my God, to point you to whatever you can do to help. Listen for His answers in your daily activities. He will answer.
2. Live righteously. One of the reasons the radical Islamists hate us is that we say one thing and do another. We say we're for our God but break his commandments with abandon. Our enemies won't respect us and our God won't sustain us if we aren't true to our word.
3. Do what you can to help out. Stand with our service members. They've got your back over there. You can cover their back here when your neighbors, acquaintances or even journalists snipe at them. Express your appreciation for their service and the freedoms they safeguard. Tell a soldier's family member that you appreciate their sacrifice and service. My wife's stopped being embarrased when I walk across the street or across the mall to shake the hand of a service member and thank them for what they do for me and my family. When you do, listen to that small, inner voice again. I'll tell you you're doing the right thing.
