Let's Never Forget - Say A Prayer Today

This morning at 8:45 as I sat in the parking lot of a convenience story, I looked around me and saw people walking in and out, checking out at the counter, getting gasoline for their cars, most I'm sure not giving a second thought as to the significance of the moment.  At that very minute 7 years ago, the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Center setting off a series of events that day which would forever alter our world and how we see it.  As painful as it is (for family and friends of victims especially), we need to see that video again and again of what took place on that day.  We should never forget or allow anyone else to forget or minimize the attack that occurred not only on this country, but freedom loving people everywhere.  Thank God we have not seen another day like that since September 11, 2001, but that does not mean there are not evil, terrible monster still out there who wish us harm.  We must remain vigilant, not let down our guard and be willing to stand up and fight for what is good and decent.  

Encouraging news today out of the New York Times that President Bush secretly approved orders in July that for the first time allow American Special Operations forces to carry out ground assaults inside Pakistan without the prior approval of the Pakistani government.  Hopefully this will lead to bringing Bin Laden and others to justice.  Will it stop terrorism and the on-going threat?  No, but it is a step in the right direction.  If this nation is to remain free, it is imperative that the next President and Congress live up to their Constitutional responsibilities to protect and defend us or we will most certainly crumble as a country.

Sometime today, take a few minutes to reflect on the horrific day 7 years ago determined to do all in your power to hold government accountable to insure it will never happen again.  And do one other thing as well.  Pray for our nation, continued protection and for the families who's loved ones paid the ultimate price. 

Take a look at this video as well.  This is an interview I conducted and used in a worship service at Shore Fellowship Church in Egg Harbor Township.  It puts a real personal face on the events of that terrible day.

We Need To Remember

As painful as today must be for those who suffered such a terrible loss at the hands of terrorists, it is important that the rest of us be reminded of what took place on this date. Time has a way of distancing us from reality. The major network news shows will devote time to images of memorial services and flowers being laid, names being read and songs being sung. But although painful to watch, those news shows really should devote an almost equal amount of time to replaying images like the picture above. Not to be sensational, but rather as a sobering reminder. We do need to see those airplanes turned into torpedoes crashing into the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and a field in western Pennsylvania. We must be vividly reminded that there are those who are sadly still among us who want to wipe us off the face of the earth in the name of Allah. They openly reminds us all that they will not give up until we are destroyed.
As bold as our sworn enemy is in their relentless determination, it still amazes me that so many of my fellow Americans along with others around the world refuse to wake up to the fact that this is war for our very survival. Whether it's their unwillingness to confront the enemy head on or their belief that somehow we must engage in dialogue to learn more about each other and appreciate who we all are, it continues to baffle me how so many can be so naive about the real danger that confronts us.
That is why marking days like these and being reminded of the unspeakable horror that rained down on this nation is exactly what we need as a people. May we be reminded daily of the enemy among us. The more complacent we become as a nation, the closer we get to a time when all we've fought for, sacrificed for and died for as a people will be no more. Then it will be too late. God bless the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that bright, crisp September morning six years ago. They had no choice on that morning. We who remain have a choice to do all in our power to see such a day never again occurs on our soil.