Last Tuesday, September 11, 2001, changed our world forever. No matter where you live, or who you are, the site of New York city under siege was one of horror and fear. Who did this to us, and will the fear ever leave? The answers to these questions are not within my reach, yet, I feel compelled to try and comfort you, none the less.
Who are Americans? We have been called many things by many people, those who admire and respect us, and those who fear and hate us. Who are we really and what do we stand for? Turn on a television set, and glance, briefly, at the screen. After viewing these pictures, let me tell you who I believe we are.
We are different, unique, and powerful.
What makes us different? Our freedom, and our spirit. The will to survive and the freedom to be who we want to be. We can be many different things, and still accepted and loved in our society. Our women are not forced into hiding, and our men are not forced into serving their country.
Our men serve their country because they are free to do so, and because they love it, as do our women. They are free to fight, and free to demonstrate against fighting. They are free to protect their homes, and to protect their countries. They are fireman, policeman, judges, parents, grandparents, and they are heroes. To the military men and women of this great country I say, Thank You. Yours is not a face without recognition, nor a fight without hope. The people are with you, and we are proud to call you brother.
We are unique because we embrace and showcase many cultures, races, ethnicities and creeds. We are a country of devout Catholics, and Agnostics. We are a country of white men, red men, brown men, and yellow men, we are a country of free men.
We are powerful because we are not forced to love our country, yet, most of us still do. There are those, like me, who do not show their pride and who think very little about our basic rights and freedoms. There are those who place a flag in front of their house every day, and for whom pride is a way of life. There are those who fight against our system, yet, in their wisdom, still understand that we are the home of the free and the best country in the world.
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