We Must Never Forget – We Are Americans – with Linda J. Hansen [Ep. 88]

Thank you for listening to this solo episode.  I have no guest today as I felt led to just speak from my heart and share what is on my mind at this pivotal point in our nation’s history.  

I have titled this episode - We Must Never Forget - We Are Americans.

Today my heart is heavy.  We are approaching the 20th anniversary of the deadliest attacks on American soil in the history of our nation. On September 11, 2001, a series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks by militant extremists brought death and destruction to thousands. The attacks against New York City and Washington, DC, brought our nation to a halt as we watched the horrifying events unfold. 

You may not have been born yet, or you may have been too young to remember the chilling effect this had on our country.  But if you watched it all unfold, you can pinpoint the time and place when you first heard the news.  You remember. 

We were in shock and horrified, and we were grieving for all those who tragically lost their lives and the families they left behind.  We could not believe this could happen in our beloved America.

On that day, time stopped.  Ask anyone, and they will be able to tell you where they were when they heard the news of the attacks.  People gathered in restaurants, airports, barber shops, gyms, office building - anywhere they could get to a television screen to hear the latest news and see the chilling images of what was happening – in real time – to our fellow Americans.  As the Twin Towers fell in New York City, as the Pentagon was attacked, and as the hijacked plane went down in Pennsylvania, our hearts were ripped out of our chests in anguish as we knew the terror and suffering the victims were experiencing. 

The nation was at risk.  We were on high alert. We knew we were being attacked.

On that day, and in the days and weeks that followed, there was no black or white, gay or straight, male or female, vaccinated or unvaccinated.  We were all AMERICANS. We were united against a common cause to protect our nation and the freedom we hold so dear. 

We were united in support for all the military members, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders who courageously faced danger, often knowing they were risking their own lives to save others. The stories of their heroic deeds, and those of citizen patriots who sacrificially gave their lives and rose against evil to save others, inspired us all and reminded us of the beautiful unity we have in a nation that is founded in liberty. 

We must pause to remember, and we must never forget the sacrifices made on that day.  To many that survived, their heroism brought life-long injuries or disabilities.  Their families crumbled under the stress and financial burdens. The trauma experienced left them numb and unable to cope with life, and many turned to substance abuse or suicide to ease the pain.  The hopes and dreams of many died that day.

But we rose.  We united. We gathered.  We mourned and honored the dead and vowed to fight even harder to protect the freedoms that are the rights of all American citizens.  Young men and women volunteered to join the military.  They rose with courage and valor to serve their nation.  

Twenty years later, those brave military members have served all over the world, many in dangerous places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  

We all know a family – more likely many families – who have been affected by war. We have grieved those we have lost and been inspired by the patriotism and bravery of all who have served.  

We weep when we see flag draped coffins and the grieving families who must adjust to life without their loved ones. 

In the past, we united. We stood together. We put aside our differences to share our common bonds of humanity and love of liberty. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

Our nation is the beacon of freedom for the world.  

We must resist tyranny – whether from our own government, a global government, or from terrorists at home or abroad. 

Right now, we are facing an unprecedented tragedy in Afghanistan.  Lives have been lost, people are being tortured and killed, and our enemies have been given tools to fight against us. 

Each person lost had a name, a family, and hopes and dreams for their future. While the terror continues and people are being hunted and killed, we can hope and pray that rescue efforts will be successful. 

We must remember that freedom is never free.  

We mourn the loss of so many, but today I want to specifically honor 13 brave servicemembers who lost their lives in Afghanistan during a recent attack at the Kabul Airport. They were there to help people escape the violent regime that has taken over the country.  They were there to offer their lives in service to their fellow Americans and our allies. They are heroes and they represent the millions of brave men and women who have served our nation in dangerous situations all over the globe.  They represent our best and brightest, and we owe them and their families our honor and gratitude.  

Freedom is never free, and at this point in our history we not only face enemies abroad, we face enemies within.  There are those who want to divide us by race, class, gender, vaccination status, or political affiliation.  We must not allow this to happen.  A nation divided against itself cannot stand.  As we did after the 9/11 attacks and as we have done so many times in our nation’s history, we must once again unite. We must put aside our differences. We must pause to reflect on what makes America great.  Our Constitution, our Declaration of Independence, our heritage of freedom all point the way for us to preserve liberty for all Americans and to light the path of freedom for people everywhere. 

We have always answered the call when fighting against a foreign adversary.  Will we do so again to fight against tyrannical leaders of our own nation who want to strip us of our liberties and make us bow to lockdowns and mandates that are neither Constitutional nor lawful? 

Freedom is never free.  If you want to protect yours, refuse to be the proverbial frog in the pot of boiling water that unwittingly allows its life to be taken slowly and painfully. 

Let’s honor all those who have sacrificed so greatly for our freedoms by doing everything we can to preserve those freedoms for future generations.  

We are Americans.  One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  

We are Americans.  Let’s act like it. 

© Copyright 2021, Linda J. Hansen and Prosperity 101®, LLC